GCRF One Ocean Hub
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Law
Abstract
Over 70% of the earth's surface is ocean. As a global population, we are entirely reliant upon a healthy ocean: it contributes to the renewal of freshwater; it absorbs over a quarter of global carbon dioxide, and it produces half the oxygen we breathe. The ocean has the potential to make significant contributions to sustainable development. Many developing countries already depend on their ocean resources for food, work and livelihoods. Yet we are reaching an ocean health crisis: cumulative pressures such as over-exploitation of its resources, ocean plastics and pollution and climate change, all compounded by multiple competing uses, are pushing the ocean ecosystem to a tipping point.
There is an urgent need for more integrated ocean governance, to ensure greater balance between ocean conservation and sustainable use (Sustainable Development Goal 14) and realise the ocean's potential to contribute to poverty reduction, human health, healthy ecosystems on land, climate change mitigation and adaptation, equitable economic growth and decent employment.
"We are the sea...we must wake up to this ancient truth...It is time to create things for ourselves, to create established standards of excellence that match those of our ancestors."
It is with this spirit that the ONE OCEAN Hub will transform our response to the urgent challenges facing our ocean. The Hub will weave learning from the ocean, and traditional knowledge of the peoples who rely upon it, with scientific excellence, innovative legal approaches and artistic methods. Our aim is to bridge the disconnections in law, science and policy across all levels from the local to the international. We aim to empower vulnerable communities, woman and youth in the blue economy and catalyse the inclusive and integrated governance approaches required to ensure a healthy ocean and flourishing communities and economies.
The Hub will specifically address the challenges of South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Fiji and Solomon Islands in realising the economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits from the ocean. It aims to support these countries' efforts towards developing a sustainable and fair blue economy by providing new scientific data and tools to engage different sectors and groups within society, particularly vulnerable communities, woman and youth, in identifying opportunities, risks and trade-offs to: i) prevent and mitigate negative development impacts connected to the ocean, ii) participate in traditional and emerging ocean activities, and iii) predict the socioeconomic benefits of ocean conservation.
The Hub pioneers integrating law and arts, policy, informatics, education, history, anthropology, and philosophy to provide targeted advice on coherent and flexible, pro-poor and gender- sensitive, climate-proofed and transparent laws and policies across the areas of environmental, human rights, science and technology, trade and investment. The Hub will further integrate biology, physics, chemistry, oceanography, ecology, mathematics, socio-environmental sciences and law to advance understanding of sustainable fisheries in the face of climate change impacts, as well as socio-economic and cultural considerations. The Hub will also increase understanding of conservation and extraction options for deep-sea mineral, biological and freshwater resources, integrating biology, ecology, geology, socio-environmental sciences and law. Through innovative use of arts the hub will transcend traditional boundaries in policy, law, and between ocean stakeholders from local communties to international organisatons, to respectfully and effectively include local communities' traditional knowledge in decision-making at the national and local level on the blue economy. The Hub will develop the integrated governance frameworks and strengthen the capacity within commnities to drive innovative approaches to a fair and sustainable blue economy for South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Fiji and Solomon Islands
There is an urgent need for more integrated ocean governance, to ensure greater balance between ocean conservation and sustainable use (Sustainable Development Goal 14) and realise the ocean's potential to contribute to poverty reduction, human health, healthy ecosystems on land, climate change mitigation and adaptation, equitable economic growth and decent employment.
"We are the sea...we must wake up to this ancient truth...It is time to create things for ourselves, to create established standards of excellence that match those of our ancestors."
It is with this spirit that the ONE OCEAN Hub will transform our response to the urgent challenges facing our ocean. The Hub will weave learning from the ocean, and traditional knowledge of the peoples who rely upon it, with scientific excellence, innovative legal approaches and artistic methods. Our aim is to bridge the disconnections in law, science and policy across all levels from the local to the international. We aim to empower vulnerable communities, woman and youth in the blue economy and catalyse the inclusive and integrated governance approaches required to ensure a healthy ocean and flourishing communities and economies.
The Hub will specifically address the challenges of South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Fiji and Solomon Islands in realising the economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits from the ocean. It aims to support these countries' efforts towards developing a sustainable and fair blue economy by providing new scientific data and tools to engage different sectors and groups within society, particularly vulnerable communities, woman and youth, in identifying opportunities, risks and trade-offs to: i) prevent and mitigate negative development impacts connected to the ocean, ii) participate in traditional and emerging ocean activities, and iii) predict the socioeconomic benefits of ocean conservation.
The Hub pioneers integrating law and arts, policy, informatics, education, history, anthropology, and philosophy to provide targeted advice on coherent and flexible, pro-poor and gender- sensitive, climate-proofed and transparent laws and policies across the areas of environmental, human rights, science and technology, trade and investment. The Hub will further integrate biology, physics, chemistry, oceanography, ecology, mathematics, socio-environmental sciences and law to advance understanding of sustainable fisheries in the face of climate change impacts, as well as socio-economic and cultural considerations. The Hub will also increase understanding of conservation and extraction options for deep-sea mineral, biological and freshwater resources, integrating biology, ecology, geology, socio-environmental sciences and law. Through innovative use of arts the hub will transcend traditional boundaries in policy, law, and between ocean stakeholders from local communties to international organisatons, to respectfully and effectively include local communities' traditional knowledge in decision-making at the national and local level on the blue economy. The Hub will develop the integrated governance frameworks and strengthen the capacity within commnities to drive innovative approaches to a fair and sustainable blue economy for South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Fiji and Solomon Islands
Planned Impact
In coastal and island communities healthy oceans are fundamental to healthy economies and livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub aims to improve the livelihoods of small-scale fishing and indigenous communities that are dependent on the ocean, with particular attention to women and youth in South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. The Hub will empower, build capacity within, and learn from, the people who rely on the oceans, and whom are disproportionally impacted by the failure to protect it. It is on this local level that the Hub will have the greatest impact. Community leadership in research and arts-based approaches will enable better understanding of traditional practices. It will build capacity and co-develop new resources for communities, and, in so doing, will support the integration of community views, values and knowledge in scientific assessments, management and decision-making on ocean conservation and the blue economy. Legal empowerment will enhance the capacity of communities, women and youth to fight for their rights and improve, through legal literacy, their livelihoods. Youths will directly benefit from a One Ocean education programme designed to inform, inspire and empower 'Generation 2030' on ocean matters and through the development of legal mechanisms (Youth Ocean Charter) to amplify youth voices at international level.
At national-regional level, governments and inter-governmental organisations will benefit from access to a new scientific evidence base, methods and technologies to underpin integrated ocean assessment and management. Specifically, government entities (eg Namibian Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources, will benefit from region-specific integrated assessments of cumulative pressures on ocean ecosystems. Through targeted capacity strengthening, governments and national research institutes will be empowered to undertake integrated marine research and monitoring programmes, and through co-developed decision-making frameworks will be able to implement ocean resource management which balances ocean conservation and sustainable use for fair and equitable benefit sharing. We will work with regional and national governments to implement sustainable, inclusive and collaborative ocean management strategies, such as the ocean dimension of the African Union's Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa and the Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science. The above, together with the development of guidance for the coherent implementation of international law at different levels and through a programme of legal capacity building, the negotiating capacity of developing countries will be strengthened within relevant international fora.
The One Ocean Hub is a direct and systematic response to the Call for Action agreed upon at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference on Sustainable Development Goal 14. The Hub's network of international project partners (eg UNEP, UNDP, UNOALOS, FAO) will support national process of implementation of international law on the ocean and sustainable development. These partners have already co-defined the Hub's research to ensure its aligned to key ongoing international processes. Specifically, the Hub will contribute to the preparations of the 2020 UN Ocean Follow-up Conference, an expected mandate in 2019 from the UN Environment Assembly to develop new instruments on ocean plastics, a post-2020 global biodiversity framework, and the 2020-2030 Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law of UNEP. The involvement of the Hub in such processes will ensure that knowledge from across the Hub, from local to regional levels, will influence international process. The Hub network will benefit all partner organisations by bringing together organisations across sectors and scales to tackle institutional disconnects and promote sustainable partnerships from the local-international level.
At national-regional level, governments and inter-governmental organisations will benefit from access to a new scientific evidence base, methods and technologies to underpin integrated ocean assessment and management. Specifically, government entities (eg Namibian Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources, will benefit from region-specific integrated assessments of cumulative pressures on ocean ecosystems. Through targeted capacity strengthening, governments and national research institutes will be empowered to undertake integrated marine research and monitoring programmes, and through co-developed decision-making frameworks will be able to implement ocean resource management which balances ocean conservation and sustainable use for fair and equitable benefit sharing. We will work with regional and national governments to implement sustainable, inclusive and collaborative ocean management strategies, such as the ocean dimension of the African Union's Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa and the Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science. The above, together with the development of guidance for the coherent implementation of international law at different levels and through a programme of legal capacity building, the negotiating capacity of developing countries will be strengthened within relevant international fora.
The One Ocean Hub is a direct and systematic response to the Call for Action agreed upon at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference on Sustainable Development Goal 14. The Hub's network of international project partners (eg UNEP, UNDP, UNOALOS, FAO) will support national process of implementation of international law on the ocean and sustainable development. These partners have already co-defined the Hub's research to ensure its aligned to key ongoing international processes. Specifically, the Hub will contribute to the preparations of the 2020 UN Ocean Follow-up Conference, an expected mandate in 2019 from the UN Environment Assembly to develop new instruments on ocean plastics, a post-2020 global biodiversity framework, and the 2020-2030 Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law of UNEP. The involvement of the Hub in such processes will ensure that knowledge from across the Hub, from local to regional levels, will influence international process. The Hub network will benefit all partner organisations by bringing together organisations across sectors and scales to tackle institutional disconnects and promote sustainable partnerships from the local-international level.
Organisations
- University of Strathclyde (Lead Research Organisation)
- Arts and Humanities Research Council (Co-funder)
- Economic and Social Research Council (Co-funder)
- Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (Collaboration)
- Glasgow School of Art (Collaboration)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (Collaboration)
- University of Wollongong (Collaboration)
- University of Cape Coast (Collaboration)
- European Marine Board (Collaboration)
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- The Nature Conservancy (Collaboration)
- University of Vienna (Collaboration)
- Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (Collaboration)
- Wildlife Conservation Society (Collaboration)
- CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE (Collaboration)
- Ocean Foundation (Collaboration)
- Queen's University (Collaboration)
- IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature (Collaboration)
- Mercator Océan (Collaboration)
- South African Environmental Observation Network (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Lancaster University (Collaboration)
- University of Education, Winneba (Collaboration)
- World Maritime University (Collaboration)
- Bread for the World Institute (Collaboration)
- Terre des Hommes (Collaboration)
- Government of Colombia (Collaboration)
- University of Waterloo (Collaboration)
- Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (Collaboration)
- Wake Forest University (Collaboration)
- University of California, San Diego (UCSD) (Collaboration)
- European Commission (Collaboration)
- Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (Collaboration)
- FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL (Collaboration)
- Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) (Collaboration)
- International Maritime Organisation (Collaboration)
- World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK) (Collaboration)
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (Collaboration)
- Blue Ventures (Collaboration)
- Government of St Helena (Collaboration)
- Kelp Blue (Collaboration)
- South African National Biodiversity Institute (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- The Lyell Centre, Edinburgh (Collaboration)
- Greenpeace International (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN (Collaboration)
- University of the South Pacific, Laucala (Collaboration)
- Scottish Association for Marine Science (Collaboration)
- London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) (Collaboration)
- Rhodes University (Collaboration)
- Sciences Po (Collaboration)
- University of Gothenburg (Collaboration)
- University of St Andrews (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES (Collaboration)
- Universitas Indonesia (Collaboration)
- SOUTH ATLANTIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (Collaboration)
- University of Plymouth (Collaboration)
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee (Collaboration)
- Overseas Development Institute (ODI) (Collaboration)
- United Nations Institute for Training and Research (Collaboration)
- Ascension Island Government (Collaboration)
- Low Impact Fishers of Europe (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF GHANA (Collaboration)
- University of the West Indies (Collaboration)
- South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Collaboration)
- World Organisation for Animal Health, France (Collaboration)
- Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana (Collaboration)
- Government of South Africa (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Natural Justice (Collaboration)
- Pew Charitable Trusts (Collaboration)
- Save the Children (Collaboration)
- South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (Collaboration)
- Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE (Collaboration)
- Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) (Collaboration)
- University of Namibia (Collaboration)
- Heriot-Watt University (Collaboration)
- University of Seychelles (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (Collaboration)
- Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) Potsdam (Collaboration)
- WorldFish (Collaboration)
- Convention on Biological Diversity (Collaboration)
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) (Collaboration)
- United Nations (UN) (Collaboration)
- Association of Commonwealth Universities (Collaboration)
- Conservation International (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG (Collaboration)
- QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST (Collaboration)
- World Economic Forum (Collaboration)
- National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS) (Collaboration)
- Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (Collaboration)
- Commonwealth of Learning (COL) (Collaboration)
- Grid-Arendal (Collaboration)
- Danish Institute for Human Rights (Collaboration)
- Government of Sweden (Collaboration)
- Erromango Cultural Association (ECA) (Collaboration)
- South African National Research Foundation (NRF) (Collaboration)
- United States Department of State (Collaboration)
- United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation (Collaboration)
- Gobabeb Training and Research Centre (Collaboration)
- University of Malta (Collaboration)
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Collaboration)
- International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) (Collaboration)
- Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) (Collaboration)
- Durban University of Technology (Collaboration)
- International Pole and Line Foundation (Collaboration)
- Rare (Collaboration)
- University of Cape Town (Collaboration)
- Keiskamma Trust (Collaboration)
- Macquarie University (Collaboration)
- World Health Organization (WHO) (Collaboration)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- Middlebury College (Collaboration)
- European Union (Collaboration)
- Environmental Justice Foundation (Collaboration)
- Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) (Collaboration)
- Nelson Mandela University (Collaboration)
- Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Collaboration)
- UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (Collaboration)
- World Wide Fund for Nature (Collaboration)
- World Vision (Collaboration)
- Center for International Environmental Law (Collaboration)
- ClientEarth (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Namibia Nature Foundation (Collaboration)
- University of Washington (Collaboration)
- UNDOALOS (Project Partner)
- Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Project Partner)
- NRG4SD (Project Partner)
- UN Inst for Training and Research UNITAR (Project Partner)
- ICCA Consortium (Project Partner)
- TVC Communications (Project Partner)
- SPREP (Project Partner)
- University of Seychelles (Project Partner)
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Project Partner)
- The Jackson Group (Project Partner)
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (Project Partner)
- BirdLife international (Project Partner)
- World Wide Fund for Nature WWF (UK) (Project Partner)
- Mongabay Org (Project Partner)
- UNEP/CMS (Project Partner)
- Research Institute for Marine Fisheries (Project Partner)
- Commonwealth Secretariat (Project Partner)
- United Nations Development Programme (Project Partner)
- Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (Project Partner)
- Fisheries & Marine Resources - Namibia (Project Partner)
- Del-York International Limited (Project Partner)
- West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (Project Partner)
- United Nations (Project Partner)
- Kenyatta University (Project Partner)
- Nigerian Environmental Society (Project Partner)
- African Tech Policy Studies Network (Project Partner)
- Fisheries Commission Accra (Project Partner)
- Organization of American States (Project Partner)
Publications
Adams, L
(2023)
Cruise Report: One Ocean Hub Capacity Development Cruise
Allison C
(2023)
Can social media platforms be used to foster improved environmental behaviour in recreational fisheries?
in Fisheries Research
Barnhill K
(2022)
Incorporating dead material in ecosystem assessments and projections
in Nature Climate Change
Barnhill K
(2022)
The deep sea and me
in ICES Journal of Marine Science
Bennett N
(2023)
Ocean defenders and human rights
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Bennett N
(2023)
Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean
in Marine Policy
Blasiak R
(2020)
The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity
in Nature Sustainability
| Title | "Dolphin " |
| Description | Dolphin is an acrylic ink, watercolours and fineliner pens on paper (38×27 cm) produced by Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK). This painting is part of 'Marine Portraits', the first series of paintings Elisa Morgera has created. They were conceived and made during the first lockdown in the UK (2020) and loosely inspired by Dylan McGarry's artwork for the One Ocean Hub's website. They are both a way to celebrate the uniqueness and allure of marine life, and to feel personally connected to marine biodiversity as the centre of gravity of Elisa's lifework as a scholar. Marine portraits is the second exhibition on the One Ocean Learn platform, launched on 15 December 2022. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ |
| Title | "Hammerhead sharks " |
| Description | Hammerhead sharks is an acrylic ink, watercolours and fineliner pens on paper painting (38×27 cm) produced by Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK). This painting is part of 'Marine Portraits', the first series of paintings Elisa Morgera has created. They were conceived and made during the first lockdown in the UK (2020) and loosely inspired by Dylan McGarry's artwork for the One Ocean Hub's website. They are both a way to celebrate the uniqueness and allure of marine life, and to feel personally connected to marine biodiversity as the centre of gravity of Elisa's lifework as a scholar. Marine portraits is the second exhibition on the One Ocean Learn platform, launched on 15 December 2022. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported at this stage. |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ |
| Title | "Manta ray " |
| Description | Manta ray is an acrylic ink, watercolours and fineliner pens on paper painting, (38×27 cm) produced by Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK). This painting is part of 'Marine Portraits', the first series of paintings Elisa Morgera has created. They were conceived and made during the first lockdown in the UK (2020) and loosely inspired by Dylan McGarry's artwork for the One Ocean Hub's website. They are both a way to celebrate the uniqueness and allure of marine life, and to feel personally connected to marine biodiversity as the centre of gravity of Elisa's lifework as a scholar. Marine portraits is the second exhibition on the One Ocean Learn platform, launched on 15 December 2022. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported at this stage. |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ |
| Title | "Ultra-black deep-sea fish " |
| Description | Ultra-black deep-sea fish is an ccrylic ink, watercolours and fineliner pens on paper painting (38×27 cm) produced by Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK). This painting is part of 'Marine Portraits', the first series of paintings Elisa Morgera has created. They were conceived and made during the first lockdown in the UK (2020) and loosely inspired by Dylan McGarry's artwork for the One Ocean Hub's website. They are both a way to celebrate the uniqueness and allure of marine life, and to feel personally connected to marine biodiversity as the centre of gravity of Elisa's lifework as a scholar. Marine portraits is the second exhibition on the One Ocean Learn platform, launched on 15 December 2022. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported at this stage. |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ |
| Title | A Brother's Bond |
| Description | Oral history produced by Riaz for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthed partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Noteable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/a-brothers-bond-riazs-story/ |
| Title | A Dwindling Species |
| Description | Oral history produced by Tamlynn for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/a-dwindling-species/ |
| Title | A Family that Fishes Together Stays Together |
| Description | Edited story produced by Thabisile Gumede for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for author Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/a-family-that-fishes-together-stays-together/ |
| Title | A Fishers Tale |
| Description | Digital illustration produced by Kevin Ngwenya to accompany the oral history Hook, Line and Sinker for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthed partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/hook-line-and-sinker-snowys-story/ |
| Title | A Fishing Heritage in Peril |
| Description | Edited story produced by Thabisile Gumede for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for author Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/a-fishing-heritage-in-peril/ |
| Title | A Violation of the Sea |
| Description | Oral history produced by Riaz for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/a-violation-of-the-sea-riazs-story/ |
| Title | An Unusual Catch |
| Description | Oral history produced by Tamlynn for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/an-unusual-catch-tamlynns-story/ |
| Title | Being Outdoors |
| Description | Oral history produced by Monty for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/being-outdoors-montys-story/ |
| Title | Between Worlds (A Poetry Book) |
| Description | The poetry book is written by Hub researcher Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University). Because of the climate crisis and declining ocean health, humans are increasingly in a liminal space between this world and imaginary, alien worlds to come. The poems raise the issue of climate change by foregrounding the centrality, beauty, and significance of the ocean, and of marine life to humanity. They suggest that all species live 'between worlds': between fantasy and reality, dreaming and wakefulness, intuition and consciousness, water and air. We need all worlds to survive. Serendipitously, the poems were composed between dusk and dawn. They are both part-thoughts and whole thoughts that come to inspire my ethnographic writing. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The poetry book has only been published in February 2022. There is no notable impacts yet. |
| URL | https://www.africanbookscollective.com/books/between-worlds |
| Title | Brotherhood |
| Description | Oil on canvas produced by Kenneth Shandu to accompany the oral history You Live by the Sea; You Die by the Sea for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/andre-and-williams-story-you-live-by-the-sea-you-die-by-the-sea/ |
| Title | Close Encounter |
| Description | Oral history produced by Riaz for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/riazs-close-encounter/ |
| Title | Cocooned in Harmony |
| Description | A feature-length documentary on the emotional connections of Ghanaian artisanal fishers as seen in their music. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | Hub researcher Eric Otchere says: I've had community screenings as well as screenings in Glasgow, Germany, Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria. It is on YouTube as well and has received over 2000 views. It was part of the special 'undercurrent' exhibition at the GSA. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=177s |
| Title | Cold water corals in a changing ocean: Short Film |
| Description | As a contribution to the Climate Conference, scientists at University of Edinburgh have produced a short film explaining how cold-water corals are particularly vulnerable to the rapid acidification of the oceans caused by carbon dioxide emissions - a largely hidden impact of fossil fuel use. Narrated by the COP26 People's Advocate Sir David Attenborough, this video features research from the H2020 iAtlantic (Grant Agreement No 818123) and One Ocean Hub projects. The film highlights the central role of the ocean when considering climate change impacts and mitigation. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | The new film premiered at a special evening event hosted by iAtlantic at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on Saturday 6 November 2021, which highlighted the crucial role that the ocean plays in the climate crisis. It was also shown during a Poster Exhibitition hosted by the One Ocean Hub at COP26 Green Zone, Glasgow Science Centre on 12th November 2021. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4iPY-9mGVg |
| Title | Community mapping of fishing areas and priorities at St Helena Bay, South Africa |
| Description | "Community mapping of fishing areas and priorities at St Helena Bay" is based on several workshops and focus groups co-organised by Hub researcher Prof Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town, South Africa). This is part of process of documenting fisher knowledge to facilitate knowledge sharing with scientists involved in the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning process. This work is ongoing. The maps and narratives that support the map have been shared at one fishers and scientists meeting in 2022 - more to follow. Currently, Prof Sowman is exploring ways of integrating this knowledge onto a Geographic Information System (GIS) based map. |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | Scientists participating in the fisher-scientist exchange workshop were amazed at the depth of knowledge held by fishers and the understanding of local reefs and other environmental features that they were unaware of. This has led to a request for further meetings and exchanges. There have been shifts in perceptions regarding the value of fisher knowledge amongst some scientists. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-south-africa/ |
| Title | Deep Connections | The importance of Culturally Significant Areas in South Africa's marine space |
| Description | Deep Connections is a reminder that we are all connected to the sea, and that we need to make sure that these connections are protected for the sake of past, present and future generations. The film is part of work underway to map Culturally Significant Areas in South Africa and signals a desire for closer co-operation between the biodiversity, heritage, and tourism sectors in identifying and looking after special places along our coast and in our ocean. These extend beyond archaeological sites, shipwrecks, and places for recreation to also include intangible cultural heritage. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | Over 800 views on YouTube |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I |
| Title | DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems |
| Description | Diep Respek is music video which aims to promote empathy for vulnerable marine ecosystems (VME) within South Africa's trawling community, and to provide a resource for deckhands and skippers to better identify the VME indicator taxa so that move-on fishing practices can operate more smoothly and with motivation from within the community whose livelihoods directly depend on healthy oceans. The video included spoken word in a combination of English and Afrikaans as the main audience is majority Afrikaans. It also includes subtitles. The film is available for download, so fishermen will be able to circulate it on Whatsapp and have it as a resource on their phones. Diep Respek is an ode to the deep sea and hopes to more deeply connect fishermen with the mysterious worlds below, notably the Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems - or VMEs. These are parts of the ocean floor that are fundamental to the sustainability of our fisheries. They constitute a wide diversity of organisms that provide habitats for young fish and eggs, and other creatures. These ecosystems are highly sensitive to disturbance from trawling operations as the organisms are slow-growing and long-lived, and once trawled, may take two to three generations to recover, at least. To limit disturbance, trawlers off the coast of South Africa are adopting a system where they stop fishing and move to another area if they catch too many VME indicator taxa. For this system to work efficiently, crew members must have a good understanding of the indicator taxa and ultimately a personal desire to preserve these ecosystems. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake." Link to blog: https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmg |
| Title | Documentary film set in Ghana: "Cocooned in Harmony" |
| Description | Cocooned in Harmony, a documentary film by Dr Eric Debrah Otchere (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), details how the songs of indigenous Ghanaian artisanal fisher-folk serve multiple purposes, ranging from providing reference points for coordinated activity to containing insights into issues of identity, power/inequality, agency, gender, and emotional connections to the ocean, among others. The documentary shows how through music, fishermen create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice. The film has been screened within local communities in Ghana on 2 August 2022. A short video of the community screenings has also been produced and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Positive comments were received on YouTube page after the documentary was premiered on 31 August 2022 and during community screening in Ghana on 2 August 2022. The documentary has been shown on National Television in Ghana (News Channel - DSTV Channel 421, Ghana) for two days in a row on 28-29 January 2022, sparking discussion on identity and emotional connections to the ocean. The documentary has also been screened in Aarhus, Denmark on 17-28 August 2022. Audience who attended the film screening in Ghana and Denmark in 2022, provided very positive accounts about the documentary. The fishing communities in Ghana where data was taken were pleased with the film produced and research process conducted by the Hub. This was because in addition to recording their art, Hub researchers led by Dr Otchere have given copies of the documentary back to them and backed them up in the University repository. There are a few requests to screen the documentary at other places within and outside of Ghana and engage in discussions about it. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU |
| Title | Dugong |
| Description | Dugong is an acrylic ink, watercolours and fineliner pens on paper painting (38×27 cm) produced by Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK). This painting is part of 'Marine Portraits', the first series of paintings Elisa Morgera has created. They were conceived and made during the first lockdown in the UK (2020) and loosely inspired by Dylan McGarry's artwork for the One Ocean Hub's website. They are both a way to celebrate the uniqueness and allure of marine life, and to feel personally connected to marine biodiversity as the centre of gravity of Elisa's lifework as a scholar. Marine portraits is the second exhibition on the One Ocean Learn platform, launched on 15 December 2022. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported at this stage. |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ |
| Title | Durban Harbour |
| Description | Oil on canvas produced by Kenneth Shandu to accompany the oral history A Brother's Bond for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthed partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/a-brothers-bond-riazs-story/ |
| Title | Elaine Maepio for Vae Tailor Nautilus Eh'a Dress wearable art, Solomon Islands |
| Description | Elaine Maepio created the Eh'a Dress wearable art for the Vae Tailor Nautilus in Solomon Islands. The wearable art was created as part of the Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors, and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. Alongside knowledge exchange, the project provided practical training to increase the technical abilities of fashion practitioners. By way of strengthening skills in areas such as design, sewing, modelling, marketing and advocacy, the project provided opportunities for financial, creative and professional empowerment. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-deep-fund-projects/ |
| Title | Elaine Maepio for Vae Tailor Valusa Inspired Casual Wear 2022 wearable art, Solomon Islands |
| Description | In 2022 Elaine Maepio created 'Inspired Casual Wear' wearable art for Vae Tailor Valusa in Solomon Islands. The wearable art was created as part of the Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. Alongside knowledge exchange, the project provided practical training to increase the technical abilities of fashion practitioners. By way of strengthening skills in areas such as design, sewing, modelling, marketing and advocacy, the project provided opportunities for financial, creative and professional empowerment. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-deep-fund-projects/ |
| Title | Empatheatre Play: Umkhosi Wenala |
| Description | The Empatheatre team in South Africa (that recently performed at COP27) has embarked on a new journey to use restorative public storytelling to address issues of fairness and inclusion in the creation and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), through a new theatre-based research project co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region. The project, titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance") aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The musical tells the story of two twins, a brother Nkosana and sister Makhosazana, who inherit a kingdom after the disappearance of their grandmother, a queen, said to have drowned in the ocean. The two Nkosi's, destined to rule together, are divided by circumstance and political forces beyond their control. After two decades of betrayal and conflict between their competing kingdoms, the situation further escalates with the arrival of a fence which cuts the communities off from their village and resources and resurfaces past tensions and new resentments. The production weaves together many relevant moments from the last century of Northern Zululand's history and uses humour, pathos, satire, puppetry, ritual and music to tell its story. The musical deepens some of the Hub research findings, from across the South African research team, on gender and inter-generational dialogue, indigenous and local communities' customary laws, cultural and religious connections to the ocean, exclusionary practices in spatial planning and conservation, and fair and equitable benefit-sharing within communities and between communities, researchers and public authorities. As such, it also reveals multiple issues related to human rights, that will be further explored in 2023. At the conclusion of each performance, audiences are invited to join into a facilitated conversation with the performers and creative team, with a view to advancing understanding of these issues and explore generative opportunities for more inclusive ocean governance. The new Empatheatre Play: Umkhosi Wenala was created in Kwa-Zulu-Natal, with 13 young activists and eight elders, and other citizens. It was developed over 2021 and 2022, with final performances scheduled to take place in September 2023. For more information about the play watch here: https://vimeo.com/791847743/b95e473231. To learn more about the innovative partnerships behind this project and how the restorative public storytelling method is contributing to making ocean governance more inclusive in post-Apartheid South Africa read this blogpost here: https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/ The Umkhosi Wenala play has fostered collaboration between Hub researchers that are at different stages of their careers. Hub early career researcher, Dr. Philile Mbata (University of Cape Town, South Africa) for exampled has contributed to the play by sharing the stories that she had collected during her PhD over a decade ago in the Kosi Bay by working with indigenous knowledge holders, many of whom would have been the grandparents of the participants, and had subsequently passed away. |
| Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The Umkhosi Wenala brought many different knowledge holders together, who participated in post-show discussions. Including local Indigenous authorities and leaders, who engaged and offered feedback on the performance, the ethics of representation, and the text itself. This first iteration of the play has allowed the team to adapt it, to have even more significant impact on how audiences can work with the complexity of addressing the past injustices in how decisions are made in contemporary governance. The Empatheatre Team, with the support of the One Ocean Hub and the Coastal Justice Network, aims to extend the play further with a tour across Kwa-Zulu Natal, with a particular focus on a public consultation process underway in a neighbouring MPA further down the coast in 2023. Alongside this extend tour, the team aims to work with Hub researchers, community leaders and other knowledge holders, to use the post-show discussion as a think tank to draft a peoples' charter on marine protection. A documentary of this research collaborations will be launched at the closing events of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, which the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation is organising in mid March 2023 in Rome, Italy, where early insights from the extend tour and the draft peoples' charter on marine conservation will be shared internationally with policy makers and practitioners involved in sustainable fisheries and marine conservation. The engagement at the international level is expected to further co-develop the Hub research and policy contributions on how to make marine protection more inclusive, just and support multi-species flourishing (human and more-than-human alike). |
| URL | https://vimeo.com/791847743/b95e473231 |
| Title | Erhardt |
| Description | Oral history produced by Tamlynn for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/erhardt-tamlyns-story/ |
| Title | Evangeline Aravoha'a Molo wearable art Solomon Islands |
| Description | n 2022 Evangeline Aravoha'a Molo created a wearable art in Solomon Islands. The wearable art was created as part of the Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. Alongside knowledge exchange, the project provided practical training to increase the technical abilities of fashion practitioners. By way of strengthening skills in areas such as design, sewing, modelling, marketing and advocacy, the project provided opportunities for financial, creative and professional empowerment. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-deep-fund-projects/ |
| Title | Fisher voices must be heard. Pamphlet by Coastal Justice Network |
| Description | This pamphlet is designed by Hub researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network including Anna James, Taryn Pereira, Dr Jackie Sunde and Dr Kira Erwin. It is produced in response to the South Africa Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries approach to reverse and review the process of allocating Small Scale Fisher (SSF) rights in the Western Cape following multiple complaints about the fairness and accuracy of the process in 2021. The pamphlet highlighted the need for the South Africa Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to consult with small-scale fishers themselves about how they have been excluded from the past and present policy regimes, and ensure that any policy interventions that take place treats fishers fairly. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | The pamphlet has served as a useful piece of reading for fishers or someone interested in the policy, research and regulations that apply to small-scale fishers (including subsistence fishers) in South Africa. See here: https://fisherstales.org/useful-tackle/ |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SSF-pamphlet-_-2-page-printable-version-_-Englis... |
| Title | Fishers Tales Exhibition and public engagement activities in 2022 |
| Description | The Kwa Zulu Natal South Africa Gallery ran the Fishers' Tales (https://fisherstales.org/) exhibition in the Park Gallery, South Africa from 2nd March - 3rd April 2022. Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. This project explores fishers' connections and emotional bonds to the ocean using a visual storytelling approach. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The Fishers' Tales exhibition also provides a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban, as the project is specifically aimed to support creative students studying in the city. The stories and accompanying artwork seek to highlight the similarities and differences in fishers' engagements with the ocean from subsistence to recreational, provoking reflection, empathy, and dialogue. In this sense, the project hopes to build both awareness and solidarity with subsistence and small-scale fishers, who have enormous knowledge and care for the ocean that sustains them. The history of fishing in KwaZulu-Natal is where this project originates. Looking into the history of the diverse people who live along this coastal province, the daily moments captured by the artists offers insight into these experiences of connecting with the ocean, and the complex permitting regulations that impacts negatively on the livelihoods of fishers and their ability to practice fishing as part of their cultural heritage. The exhibition also highlights how climate change has affected marine life in the ocean and how that has negatively impacted the lives of small-scale and subsistence fisherfolk. Increasingly fishers along our coast line are joining the struggle for ocean wellbeing. The project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Fishers Tales ExhibitionZNSA Gallery ran the Fishers' Tales exhibition in the Park Gallery from 2nd March-3rd April 2022 and public engagement activities in 2022 has sparked nation-wide conversation on fishers' connections and emotional bonds to the ocean. The exhibition in March 2022 was accompanied by a public programme: - 2nd March - Public Opening; - 18th March - School tour; - 19th March - Storytelling with Fishers; - 2nd April - Exhibition walkabout and ocean educational talk (Ocean Wellbeing with invited guest speaker). Other media and activities post the exhibition are listed as follow: National Media: Real Life on the "dolossea" by Duncan Guy. Independent Online written, Mar 12, 2022 (https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/real-life-on-the-dolosse-ab2b9754-48c3-47ca-84c6-a78e65e6107b). Local and community Newspapers: Activism meets art at Fisher's Tale exhibition. Rising Sun Overport. April 21, 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWlcJWXqDYc). Art exhibition centers around Durban's fishermen. The Berea Mail. March 13, 2022. Fisherfolk take central stage. The Post. 23rd March 2022 (https://bereamail.co.za/282549/art-exhibition-centers-around-durbans-fishermen/). Blogposts: Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea by Kira Erwin 31st January 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/) The art of engagement: The Fishers Tales Exhibition by Kira Erwin 29th March 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-art-of-engagement-the-fishers-tales-exhibition/). The Urban Futures Centre at DUT Partners with the SDCEA to showcase Fishers'tales at the KZNSA Gallery (https://www.dut.ac.za/the-urban-futures-centre-at-dut-partners-with-the-sdcea-to-showcase-fishers-tales-at-the-kznsa-gallery/) The Fishers Tales postcards were handed out to audiences on the Durban tour of the Lalela uLwandle in Phoenix and at the South African Marine Science Symposium, as well as at the Port Alfred national workshop with small-scale fishers and civil society on oil and gas. |
| URL | https://www.kznsagallery.co.za/Exhibitions/View/1005/fishers-tales |
| Title | Fishers Unite |
| Description | Oral history produced by Tozi Mthiyane for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/fishers-unite/ |
| Title | Fishertales website |
| Description | Subsistence and small-scale fishers in KwaZulu-Natal practice a livelihood that holds deep spiritual and cultural meaning. In this coastal province of South Africa fishers make up a dynamic and diverse group that has vast intergenerational knowledge of the ocean, yet their voices are seldom heard in the rush for the Blue Economy. Hub researchers in South Africa, in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance have developed a website titled The Fishers Tales which showcases some of the everyday and extraordinary stories of these fisher men and women; from their earliest memories of learning to fish, how this gives their life meaning, enables them to put their children through school, and the political struggles they face. Each story on the website is paired with a unique artwork inspired by these tales with the sea. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | The Fishertales website is co-developed by One Ocean Hub researchers and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA). The SDCEA is an environmental justice organisation based in South Durban, South Africa that made up of 19 affiliate organisations and has been active since its formation in 1995. This partnership ensure that creative writing and art products published in the website to be widely shared among SDCEA networks. Links, pamphlets, and stories shared in Fishertales website also serve as useful resources for fishers and others who are interested on small-scale fisheries in South Africa. |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/ |
| Title | Fishing Dreams |
| Description | Watercolour and ink produced by Elisa Morgera to accompany the oral history Erhardt for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/erhardt-tamlyns-story/ |
| Title | Fishing Like a Girl |
| Description | Ink on paper produced by Kira Erwin to accompany the oral history Fishing Like a Girl for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/fishing-as-a-girl/ |
| Title | Fishing Like a Girl |
| Description | Oral history produced by Tamlynn for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/fishing-as-a-girl/ |
| Title | Following Eddie: Short film exploring the challenges of small-scale fishers accessing the ocean |
| Description | One Ocean Hub researchers in South Africa have been working on a film exploring the challenges of small-scale fishers accessing the ocean and coasts in Tsitsikamma, South Africa after the area was established as a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The film, entitled Following Freddie, documents the complexities of sustainable ocean and coastal management in an area that forms a part of national conservation efforts in South Africa. In this case, the aim is to sustainably manage marine fauna and flora. The film was made together with filmmakers Senzo Xulu and Francois du Plessis, who are funded by the South Africa National Research Foundation (NRF) Community of Practice: Oceans Account Framework Project, researching the complexities of cultural heritage management at the coast of South Africa. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The film has only been released in January 2022. There is no notable impacts yet. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_r_swTOhlA |
| Title | Highlights from Shell Wild Coast judgement |
| Description | "Highlights from Shell Wild Coast judgement" is infographic Infographics about the most pertinent and significant extracts of the Shell Wild Coast judgement in the Makhanda High Court. In September 2022 these were shared to the SSF National Leaders Whatsapp group, as well as other environmental justice whatsapp groups, and shared on the Coastal Justice instagram page where they were widely re-shared. |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | "Highlights from Shell Wild Coast judgement" have contributed to a deepened, more empowered, more nuanced and more plural engagement with complex socio-ecological-political aspects of ocean relationships and governance. |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/p/CiAH2JWqWw9/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= |
| Title | Hilleina Hilly's Lagoon Affair wearable art Solomon Islands |
| Description | In 2022 Hilleina Hilly created 'Lagoon Affair' wearable art in Solomon Islands. The wearable art was created as part of the Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. Alongside knowledge exchange, the project provided practical training to increase the technical abilities of fashion practitioners. By way of strengthening skills in areas such as design, sewing, modelling, marketing and advocacy, the project provided opportunities for financial, creative and professional empowerment. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-deep-fund-projects/ |
| Title | Hook, Line and Sinker |
| Description | Oral history produced by Snowy for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthed partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/hook-line-and-sinker-snowys-story/ |
| Title | Hurinin, People of the Sea |
| Description | The short film 'Hurinin, People of the Sea' tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights. During the colonial rule, the Topnaar sub-clan known as the Hurinin ('the sea-people') were forced out of the coastal areas, disrupting their centuries-old reliance on ocean resources. In contemporary Namibia, the Topnaar continue to be excluded from decision-making on the ocean. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | Over 600 views on YouTube |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-hurinin-the-sea-people-poignant-story-on-the-topnaar-peoples-... |
| Title | I Got Hooked |
| Description | Oral history produced by PJ for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/i-got-hooked-jps-story/ |
| Title | Images from the use of photovoice method as part of the project titled 'indigenous knowledge and ocean management practices in Axim, Ghana'. |
| Description | Under the supervision of Hub researcher Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro a team of graduate students at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, have used of photovoice and other creative methodologies to document socio-culturally sensitive and relevant qualitative data on 'indigenous knowledge and ocean management practices in Axim, Ghana'. From the use of photovoice method the research team has produced an array of images. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | The students are intrigued by the novelty of the method while the participants also found it captiviating. |
| Title | In a Perfect World, Fishing Has No Gender |
| Description | Edited story produced by Thabisile Gumede for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for author Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/in-a-perfect-world-fishing-has-no-gender/ |
| Title | Indigenous Fishing |
| Description | Edited story produced by Thomas for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/indigenous-fishing/ |
| Title | Indigenous Peoples & the Ocean |
| Description | This short film highlights the voices of Indigenous peoples and local communities from Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa in ocean-climate action. The film was first shown at the High-Level Ocean Dialogue - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Bonn Climate Meeting in June 2022. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The film was first shown at the High-Level Ocean Dialogue - UNFCCC Bonn Climate Meeting in June 2022. It brought for the first time the voice of Indigenous Peoples and local communities at the High-Level Ocean Dialogue. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I |
| Title | Indlela Yokuphila (the soul's journey) |
| Description | Indlela Yokuphila is a transdisciplinary project that brought together a range of artists, traditional healers, marine sociologists and deep-sea marine ecologists to collaborate on a more holistic alternative to ocean mapping and decision making. According to the ancestral beliefs of the isiZulu people, the deep sea is a resting place of ancestors, where, after death, the soul travels to, through streams, rivers, estuaries and eventually into the sea. The animation film offers a dazzling digital storytelling experience led by animator/director Marc Moynihan, Empatheatre co-founders Dr Dylan McGarry and award-winning performer and theatre-maker Mpume Mthombeni and composer Braam Du Toit. The soul's journey in isiZulu traditional belief systems is remarkably similar to the scientific idea of the water lifecycle. The animation film is based on an interview with a traditional Zulu historian and a traditional Zulu healer. The interview was part of the One Ocean Hub research on transformative ocean governance in South Africa. The social scientists and artists working on this project use storytelling to illustrate how - if we are willing to listen closely - scientific knowledge and indigenous knowledge can at times align. Please find a password-protected link to Indlela Yokuphila film (6 min 12 sec) below. The animation has not premiered yet, so please do not share this link outside of your organisation. https://vimeo.com/794877550 password: Indlela2023 |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The non-colured version of the animation film was first screened at Climate COP26 in Glasgow, UK at an event that the One Ocean Hub co-organised with the Green Climate Fund titled "Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress" on 10 November 2021, and two Hydrofeminsim events. Indlela Yokuphila film will be launched on 8 June 2023 at the UN World Ocean Day, UN headquarter, New York. |
| URL | https://vimeo.com/794877550 |
| Title | Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design Kaftan Dress wearable art, Solomon Islands |
| Description | In 2022, Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design created a Kaftan Dress wearable art. The wearable art was created as part of the Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. Alongside knowledge exchange, the project provided practical training to increase the technical abilities of fashion practitioners. By way of strengthening skills in areas such as design, sewing, modelling, marketing and advocacy, the project provided opportunities for financial, creative and professional empowerment. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-deep-fund-projects/ |
| Title | Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design Mandarin Dress 2022 wearable art, Solomon Islands |
| Description | In 2022, Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design created a Mandarin Dress wearable art.The wearable art was created as part of the Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. Alongside knowledge exchange, the project provided practical training to increase the technical abilities of fashion practitioners. By way of strengthening skills in areas such as design, sewing, modelling, marketing and advocacy, the project provided opportunities for financial, creative and professional empowerment. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-deep-fund-projects/ |
| Title | Keiskamma Art Project: Our Sacred Ocean 2022 tapestry, South Africa |
| Description | Our Sacred Ocean is a monumental tapestry created by the Keiskamma Art Project, South Africa. The circular tapestry is 3.5 metres in diameter. Production of the tapestry was facilitated by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund - a collaborative programme of international research that supports community-based art projects that communicate emotional bonds with the ocean. The Keiskamma Art Project convened intergenerational knowledge exchange workshops and storytelling sessions to collect local memories, prayers and rituals that express ancestral connections to the sea. The intricately embroidered motifs of the tapestry reveal the centrality of the ocean to the Eastern Cape communities of Hamburg and Bodium. Alongside imagery that depicts the ocean as a sacred space for cleansing and healing to ensure sustained good-health and wellbeing, the sea is also represented as a space for traditional modes of fishing and harvesting to ensure food and financial security. The tapestry emphasises the value and benefits of international research that embraces the principles of inclusivity, equity and respect. Our Sacred Ocean brought together diverse knowledge holders to give rise to marginalised voices that are underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science and management. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/our-ocean-is-sacred-you-cant-mine-heaven/ |
| Title | Lalela Ulwandle - Empatheatre - SOUTH AFRICA |
| Description | Empatheatre is a research-based, theatre-making methodology. A script is developed and performed, emerging from a social science research process consisting of interviews and ethnogrpahy. Post-analysis the team sets out to shape the data into an engrossing and relevant true-to-life theatrical experience. Such experiences are intended to offer theatrical epiphanies that speak emotively to the realities of the situation, and above all to honour the informants' narratives, narratives which are carefully woven into the messaging fabric of the play. Performances are then played to strategic audiences, often made up of people with diverse, even conflicting, views on the central concern represented in the play. Post-play facilitated dialogues allow for another layer of reflexive data to emerge. |
| Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Impact | The play has been performed to audiences that consist of hundreds of people who have reported not only realising the depth of their feeling and connection to the ocean, but also of the imperative to protect it. In South Africa, formal nature conservation has a damaging legacy of exclusion to answer for, given that our conservation policies 'have, to date, almost exclusively reflected Western scientific values and beliefs, with an emphasis on protecting nature from human impacts' (Cocks et al., 2012). South Africa is not alone in grappling with this tension; in many countries, well-meaning biodiversity protection policies have resulted in additional formal exclusions for indigenous and economically marginalized groups (Crandall et al., 2018). Some of the social impacts of Marine Protected Areas in South Africa include weakening of local participatory governance, the loss of tenure rights, access to resources by already marginalised communities, leading to food insecurity and reduced household income, and negative impacts on culture and identity (Sowman and Sunde, 2018). Recognizing how different knowledge systems and programs underpinned by these can lead to disparities and exclusions, environmental researchers have argued for an understanding of the important relationship between biodiversity and cultural diversity in conservation management (Cocks et al., 2012). Representatives of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) South Africa came to see one of the Durban Shows, and went on to bring more representatives to shows after that. Since the performance they have invited Lalela to two different events, one locally and another abroad. Empatheatre researchers plan to continue to cultivate particular audiences to encourage conversation and strategising around the tradeoffs that lead to conservation wins awarded at the expense of marginal groups, or where marginal groups are awarded socio-economic resources at the expense of environmental conservation. |
| URL | https://sancor.nrf.ac.za/Documents/Oct%202019%20Emphatheatre.pdf |
| Title | Lalela uLwandle (illustrated short film) |
| Description | Lalela uLwandle is a research-based theatre project that makes visible stories of living with the ocean that are seldom seen or heard in the public domain. Lalela uLwandle means "Listen to the Sea" in isiZulu. This short illustrated film, works with extracts from two characters from the radio play: Nowandle an isiZulu woman who comes from a long line of healers, and Niren and Indian eco-activist who comes from a long line of fishers. Their particular reflections speak to the history of forced removals and impact of extractive oil, gas and minerals along our coast line. Lalela weaves stories, histories and contemporary concerns of diverse South African coastal communities into an Empatheatre production, Lalela uLwandle explores themes of intergenerational environmental injustices, tangible and intangible ocean heritage, marine science and the myriad threats to ocean health. Lalela uLwandle is an invitation to a participatory public conversation on ocean governance in South Africa. This film is a key output of the One Ocean Hub research focussed on participatory and democratic methods of engagement in ocean governance. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | This short film was released on 21 September 2021 at a public tribunal led by a non-governmental organisation Green Connection as part of their "Who Stole Our Oceans?" environmental campaign in South Africa. The film and tribunal were also covered in online print media outlet The Daily Maverick (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-09-29-the-true-custodians-of-our-seas-who-is-stealing-south-africas-ocean-heritage/). The short film was also shown during the One Ocean Hub exhibition at COP26 Green Zone on 12 November 2021. The short film was played throughout the exhibition to communicate the Hub's transdisciplinary research approach in uniting diverse stakeholders, including researchers, civil society, youth and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) to promote an inclusive approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_W3QBz9cPY |
| Title | Lorna Tewa'ani Ghai Tangi's wearable art, Solomon Islands |
| Description | In 2022 Lorna Tewa'ani Ghai Tangi's wearable art was produced in Solomon Islands. The wearable art was created as part of the Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. Alongside knowledge exchange, the project provided practical training to increase the technical abilities of fashion practitioners. By way of strengthening skills in areas such as design, sewing, modelling, marketing and advocacy, the project provided opportunities for financial, creative and professional empowerment. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-deep-fund-projects/ |
| Title | Maama Water and the Apam Youth song and video |
| Description | In Ghana, Straight Family Entertainment has convened a collective of marginalised yet highly creative youth to realise the project Maama Water and the Apam Youth. The project was funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. Conceived in response to the tragic death of 12 children who drowned in the sea off Apam in March 2021, the project explores the legend of Maame Water - a spirit variously regarded as a sea goddess, mother of the ocean and African mermaid. The Collective - consisting of young musicians, poets, designers and producers - is examining relationships between Ghanaian folklore and the ocean that will result in the production of a song recorded in local languages and an associated video. Engaging with traditional knowledge holders, community elders and area council members, the sharing of intergenerational knowledge about customary practices and traditional rites is a key feature of the project. The conventions of African story-telling are adopted to record narratives that reveal the history, significance and relevance of Maame Water. In November 2022 the recording of Maame Water and the Apam Youth was launched. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0NHoagk-U |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-deep-fund-projects/ |
| Title | Manatee |
| Description | Manatee is an acrylic ink, watercolours and fineliner pens on paper (38×27 cm) produced by Hub Drector, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK). This painting is part of 'Marine Portraits', the first series of paintings Elisa Morgera has created. They were conceived and made during the first lockdown in the UK (2020) and loosely inspired by Dylan McGarry's artwork for the One Ocean Hub's website. They are both a way to celebrate the uniqueness and allure of marine life, and to feel personally connected to marine biodiversity as the centre of gravity of Elisa's lifework as a scholar. Marine portraits is the second exhibition on the One Ocean Learn platform, launched on 15 December 2022. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported at this stage. |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ |
| Title | Mapping for Justice |
| Description | The film 'Mapping for Justice' shows how the Hub together with its partners in South Africa has been supporting the people of Kosi Bay to claim recognition of their customary rights in the context of the iSimangaliso UNESCO World Heritage Site. Research co-produced by the Hub and the local community highlights poor participation, and lack of recognition of Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage related to coastal land as human rights issues arise from the exclusionary nature of conservation and ocean governance processes and practices at local, national and international levels. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | Over 200 views on YouTube |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-custom... |
| Title | Marine Portraits Exhibition |
| Description | The knowledge exchange platform One Ocean Learn's second art exhibition featured artworks by the Hub's Director, Prof Elisa Morgera. The online exhibition titled "Marine portraits" includes eight ink and watercolour paintings that Elisa created during the first lockdown in the UK in 2020. The artwork 'celebrates the uniqueness and allure of marine life' according to Elisa and allowed her to feel personally connected to marine biodiversity. The artwork is loosely inspired by Dylan McGarry's artwork for the One Ocean Hub's website. The exhibition is accompanied by personal memories of the sea and reflections on ocean research and governance. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Marine portraits are exhibited in One Ocean Learn (OOL) that is co-developed by the Hub and UN Institute of Training and Research to inspire more artists to exhibit their works in this platform to reach more audience. |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ |
| Title | Marylyn Bae for MB Collection Coral Dress wearable art Solomon Islands |
| Description | In 2022 Marylyn Bae created Coral Dress wearable art for MB Collection in Solomon Islands. The wearable art was created as part of the Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. Alongside knowledge exchange, the project provided practical training to increase the technical abilities of fashion practitioners. By way of strengthening skills in areas such as design, sewing, modelling, marketing and advocacy, the project provided opportunities for financial, creative and professional empowerment. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-deep-fund-projects/ |
| Title | Marylyn Bae for MB Collection Kwairabu Dress wearable art, Solomon Islands |
| Description | In 2022 Marylyn Bae created Kwairabu Dress wearable art for MB Collection in Solomon Islands. The wearable art was created as part of the Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. Alongside knowledge exchange, the project provided practical training to increase the technical abilities of fashion practitioners. By way of strengthening skills in areas such as design, sewing, modelling, marketing and advocacy, the project provided opportunities for financial, creative and professional empowerment. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-deep-fund-projects/ |
| Title | Net Fishers |
| Description | Oil on canvas produced by Kenneth Shandu to accompany the edited story The Opressed Fishermen for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/the-oppressed-fisherman/ |
| Title | Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) illustrated book |
| Description | In 2022 the Erromango Cultural Association produced an illustrated book titled Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean). Led by the Erromango Cultural Association in Vanuatu, the project foregrounds indigenous knowledge of the sea through an illustrated children's book. Customary stories and oral histories are presented alongside information about centuries old rock art, trade routes, fishing methods, poisoning remedies, wind names and maritime navigation. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Our community-led art-based research project Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) was showcased at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at Climate Conference COP27, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022. The project also resulted in paid employment and training and promotion of transdiciplinary research practice in Vanuatu. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-knowledge-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-a-case-study-from-vanuat... |
| Title | Netai en Namou Toc - Stories of Mother Ocean |
| Description | his short film presents Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean), a newly published illustrated children's book produced by the Erromango Cultural Association in collaboration with One Ocean Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund. The book harnesses the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Erromango, a southern island of Vanuatu, to record, preserve and promote indigenous knowledge, custom stories and oral histories relating to the ocean. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The book was recently presented at Climate COP27, Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion (Blue Zone) in Sharm-el Sheik, Egypt. The event was attended by Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, the Vanuatu's Minister of Climate Change, academia, and civil society. |
| URL | https://vimeo.com/763057594?fbclid=IwAR1vqBPdaBWILRAf1sdNPLol9Xa5cK1v78EoTOtzgijN_ZWd1vaLrywwKdw |
| Title | Nibela River |
| Description | Oil on canvas produced by Kenneth Shandu to accompany the edited story Indigenous Fishing for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/indigenous-fishing/ |
| Title | Ocean & Women |
| Description | This One Ocean Hub's short film presents the story of a Ghanaian fish worker, Peace Gavour Abla, and discusses the challenges faced by Ghanaian women living in coastal communities. The film highlights the importance of improving the protection of women's human rights in small-scale fisheries and holding governments and businesses accountable. Around the world, women play a critical role along the entire economic value chain in small-scale fisheries, but their voice is often not heard. In Ghana, the One Ocean Hub together with civil society partners organises a series of workshops, aiming to better understand the barriers and opportunities to protecting the human rights of women in small-scale fisheries (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ The film celebrates women in small-scale fisheries who strive for genuine participation in ocean-related decision-making. Produced by: What Took You So Long? |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | This short-documentary film on women small scale fishers in Ghana was premiered at the Hub's led in-person side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' at the UN Ocean Conference on 28th June 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. The screening of the five-minute film Ocean and Women that gives voice to Ghanaian women fishers and their engagement with the blue economy sparked discussion between Hub, partners, and attendees including representatives from the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, the World Wide Fund for Nature, Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Danish Institute for Human Rights and UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on opportunities and challenges women small-scale fishers face. It provided a starting point for the discussion to distil relevant lessons learnt for innovative approaches to inclusivity, human rights protection and non-discrimination in transformative ocean knowledge co-production and sustainable ocean-based economies. Excerpts from the film was also used during the Hub led panel titled "Indigenous Peoples, traditional knowledge, and ocean-climate action" at the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 10th November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1744s). The documentary was also shared with women fishers in Ghana for feedback and engagement. Their responses mirrored the sentiments expressed in the documentary. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA |
| Title | Ocean Connections Photovoice Exhibition |
| Description | Photovoice exhibition and ancillary multi-stakeholder workshop in Mandeni KZN, with Dr Mia Strand as part of her PhD. Written up in Strand PhD as well as forthcoming papers. Displayed in the in-person exhibition in March 2023 and kept up by choice by the Traditional Council for their community hall to reminder the community of the ocean connections and challenges in their community. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | We are hoping that this work will inform the development of the uThukela Marine Protected Area management plan but there is no guarantee that it will. We invited various officials and management authorities to the exhibition and the workshop so they know this knowledge exists but it is up to them to take this knowledge up as we do not have the capacity to follow this up. We also worked closely with the NGO, Wild Trust, who works in this area and are aware of this work and should help to take this knowledge and findings up into the management plan. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fyVrMjH7z0 |
| Title | Ocean Connections in Algoa Bay. An arts-based participatory research project |
| Description | This video provides a snapshot from an arts-based participatory research work with Indigenous and local knowledge holders in Algoa Bay, South Africa. The project forms part of a PhD project by Mia Strand, and a postdoctoral project led by Dr Nina Rivers. These are nested within the Algoa Bay Project, the SA/Norway Joint Research Programme on Ocean Research (SANOCEAN) project and the One Ocean Hub work on moving towards more inclusive ocean governance. You can read more about the project here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178 and here: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.886632 |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Hub researchers who organised the exhibition, Dr Nina Rivers and Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) received positive feedback from co-researchers and government officials who attended the exhibition. The exhibition made co-researchers, that also include local Xhoi and San community, so proud to share their work and stories with representatives of the government of South Africa who attended the exhibition. This event has helped to inform the government representatives on the different and alternative uses of the ocean and coast in South Africa. Government officials involved in marine spatial planning in South Africa has said they have learned things they did not know about people's cultural connections to the ocean and coast. Representatives of coastal management and conservation authorities have highlighted that they need to work closer with Indigenous and local knowledge holders in the future. The workshop following the exhibition in March 2022 also informed specific pathways to ensure this. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0 |
| Title | Ocean Connections: a multimedia exhibition from Algoa Bay, South Africa |
| Description | Indigenous and local knowledge is important for how we use and care for our ocean and coasts. Too often, these knowledge systems and knowledge holders are excluded from how the ocean is used and managed. Working with Indigenous and local knowledge holders in Algoa Bay, South Africa, this project explores ways of using photography and storytelling to convey peoples' personal relationship with the ocean. The multimedia exhibition is the result of the research led by Mia Strand, and a postdoctoral project led by Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) to develop an integrated marine spatial plan for the Bay that will inform the national Marine Spatial Planning process. The research also forms part of the SANOCEAN Project and One Ocean Hub work on moving towards more inclusive ocean governance. The film is produced by: Amehlo Productions. In 2022 the multimedia exhibition had taken place at the South End Museum in Gqeberha in March 2022, at the Our Ocean is Sacred exhibition in Cape Town in November 2022, and at the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) marine science exhibition in Cape Town in December 2022. For more information see here: https://www.algoabayproject.com/ocean-connections. Follow link to virtual exhibition here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=17s and to the documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0&t=40s |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Hub researchers who organised the exhibition, Dr Nina Rivers and Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) received positive feedback from co-researchers and government officials who attended the exhibition. The exhibition made co-researchers, that also include local Xhoi and San community, so proud to share their work and stories with representatives of the government of South Africa who attended the exhibition. This event has helped to inform the government representatives on the different and alternative uses of the ocean and coast in South Africa. Government officials involved in marine spatial planning in South Africa has said they have learned things they did not know about people's cultural connections to the ocean and coast. Representatives of coastal management and conservation authorities have highlighted that they need to work closer with Indigenous and local knowledge holders in the future. The workshop following the exhibition in March 2022 also informed specific pathways to ensure this. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s |
| Title | Our Ocean Our Identity: Papua New Guinea |
| Description | Mural produced by Pax Jakupa for the DEEP Fund project Our Ocean Our Identity. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and capacity development for lead artist Paid employment and training for two youth artists Further mural commission for artist (University of Goroka) Notable Engagements: Project Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Title | Our Ocean Our Identity: Solomon Islands |
| Description | Mural produced by Lloyd Newton for the DEEP Fund project Our Ocean Our Identity. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and capacity development for lead artist Paid employment and training for three youth artists Further mural commissions for artist (Coronation High School; National University of Solomon Islands) Notable Engagements: Project Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Newspaper article 'Local Artist Wins Award', Solomon Star News, 13 March 2021, https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/25266-local-artist-wins-award |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Title | Our Ocean Our Identity: Vanuatu |
| Description | Mural produced by Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga for the DEEP Fund project Our Ocean Our Identity. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and capacity development for lead artist Art training and capacity building for 40 women and youth Market of textiles produced by women and youth raised 66,000 vatu Further mural commissions for artist (private residence; Pikinini Play Time) Notable Engagments: Project Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Newspaper article 'Local Artist Wins Award', Vanuatu Daily Post, 13 March 2021, https://dailypost.vu/news/local-artist-wins-award/article_15db1e24-8519-11eb-8138-1bad3ed14307.html Meeting with Mrs Karen Bell, UK High Commissioner to the Republic of Vanuatu, June 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Title | Our Ocean, Our Identity: Papua New Guinea 2021 mural |
| Description | The mural 'Our Ocean, Our Identity: Papua New Guinea 2021' was developed as part of the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund project titled 'Our Ocean Our Identity' by Pax Jakupa with Derrick Lendu and Georgina Woti. This project 'Our Ocean, Our Identity' was initiated in 2021 under the Deep Fund, led by Pax Jakupa (Papua New Guinea), in collaboration with artists in Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. An initiative of three local artists - Lloyd Newton in the Solomon Islands, Pax Jakupa in Papua New Guinea and Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga in Vanuatu - the project is a rare opportunity for artistic cross-country engagement in a region often overlooked by global art markets. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Title | Our Ocean, Our Identity: Solomon Islands 2021 mural, Solomon Islands |
| Description | Our Ocean Our Identity: Solomon Islands mural was produced by Lloyd Newton with Stanley Biriau, Allen Makana, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, and Susan Vivi in Solomon Islands. The mural was developed as part of the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund project titled 'Our Ocean Our Identity'. This project "Our Ocean, Our Identity " was initiated in 2021 under the Deep Fund, led by Pax Jakupa (Papua New Guinea), in collaboration with artists in Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. An initiative of three local artists - Lloyd Newton in the Solomon Islands, Pax Jakupa in Papua New Guinea and Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga in Vanuatu - the project is a rare opportunity for artistic cross-country engagement in a region often overlooked by global art markets |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Title | Our Ocean, Our Identity: Vanuatu 2021 mural |
| Description | The mural 'Our Ocean, Our Identity: Vanuatu 2021' was developed as part of the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund project titled 'Our Ocean Our Identity' by Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga with Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Jimmal Kuautonga, and Marisha Kuautonga This project "Our Ocean, Our Identity " was initiated in 2021 under the Deep Fund, led by Pax Jakupa (Papua New Guinea), in collaboration with artists in Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. An initiative of three local artists - Lloyd Newton in the Solomon Islands, Pax Jakupa in Papua New Guinea and Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga in Vanuatu - the project is a rare opportunity for artistic cross-country engagement in a region often overlooked by global art markets. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Title | Paddles without boats, Lamps without Paraffin |
| Description | "Paddles without boats, Lamps without Paraffin" is a playback theatre script and process to facilitate discussion around negotiating of fair and favourable contracts with private fishing companies. This play back theatre and related discussion was part of the Eastern Cape Small Scale Fishers workshop in June 2022, and videos of the play were shared on the Small-Scale Fishers National Leaders Whatsapp group. |
| Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The play has contributed to a deepened, more empowered, more nuanced and more plural engagement with complex socio-ecological-political aspects of ocean relationships and governance. |
| Title | Pele Moonsamy: A Fisher to Remember |
| Description | Edited story produced by Kira Erwin for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/pele-moonsamy-a-fisher-to-remember/ |
| Title | Pele and Bina |
| Description | Oil on canvas produced by Bandile Gumede to accompany the edited story Pele Moonsamy: A Fisher to Remember for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/pele-moonsamy-a-fisher-to-remember/ |
| Title | Privilege in the Distance |
| Description | Watercolour produced by Rohini Amratlal to accompany the oral history Segregated for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/segregated-jps-story/ |
| Title | Project Facebook page: Our Ocean, Our Identity |
| Description | The Facebook page of 'Our Ocean, Our Identity' provides information on activities and outputs related to this project. The project "Our Ocean, Our Identity " was initiated in 2021 under the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund, led by Pax Jakupa (Papua New Guinea), in collaboration with artists in Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. An initiative of three local artists - Lloyd Newton in the Solomon Islands, Pax Jakupa in Papua New Guinea and Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga in Vanuatu - the project is a rare opportunity for artistic cross-country engagement in a region often overlooked by global art markets. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity |
| Title | Reflecting on social impacts of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on MPA Day |
| Description | "Reflecting on social impacts of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on MPA Day" is infographics reflecting on the history and ongoing impacts of Marine Protected Areas in South Africa. The inforgraphics was shared to the Small-Scale Fishers National Leaders Whatsapp group in August 2022, as well as on the Coastal Justice Network instagram page. |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | "Reflecting on social impacts of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on MPA Day" infographics have contributed to a deepened, more empowered, more nuanced and more plural engagement with complex socio-ecological-political aspects of ocean relationships and governance. |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgzs7w8KtWA/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= |
| Title | Risks |
| Description | Photograph produced by Rohini Amratlal to accompany the oral history Fishers Unite for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/fishers-unite/ |
| Title | Sea Undertaker |
| Description | Acrylic on canvas produced by Derrick Lendu for the DEEP Fund project Our Ocean Our Identity. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training for artist Notable Engagements: Project Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Title | Sea Undertaker painting |
| Description | 'Sea Undertaker' is an acrylic on canvas painting produced by Derrick Lendu in 2021 in Papua New Guinea. This painting is produced as part of the 'Our Ocean Our Identity' project. The project "Our Ocean, Our Identity " was initiated in 2021 under the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund, led by Pax Jakupa (Papua New Guinea), in collaboration with artists in Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. An initiative of three local artists - Lloyd Newton in the Solomon Islands, Pax Jakupa in Papua New Guinea and Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga in Vanuatu - the project is a rare opportunity for artistic cross-country engagement in a region often overlooked by global art markets. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice. |
| Title | Seahorse |
| Description | Seahorse is an acrylic ink, watercolours and fineliner pens on paper painting (38×27 cm) produced by Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK). This painting is part of 'Marine Portraits', the first series of paintings Elisa Morgera has created. They were conceived and made during the first lockdown in the UK (2020) and loosely inspired by Dylan McGarry's artwork for the One Ocean Hub's website. They are both a way to celebrate the uniqueness and allure of marine life, and to feel personally connected to marine biodiversity as the centre of gravity of Elisa's lifework as a scholar. Marine portraits is the second exhibition on the One Ocean Learn platform, launched on 15 December 2022. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported at this stage. |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ |
| Title | Segregated |
| Description | Oral history produced by PJ for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/segregated-jps-story/ |
| Title | Short animation film: Defenders of the Ocean |
| Description | Launched on 10th December 2022 (International Human Rights Day), this short animation film tells the story of a South African small-scale fisherwoman, Hilda Adams, who poignantly talks about the challenges small-scale fisher communities face. The film explains how the One Ocean Hub works with small-scale fishers, UN agencies and other partners to protect small-scale fishers and their communities' human rights during the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries (IYAFA) and beyond. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The film was premiered at Climate COP27 in November 2022 at an event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Office for Human Rights Commissioner, and Blue Ventures for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY&t=2s |
| Title | Solidarity Map of Eastern Cape Small Scale Fishers |
| Description | "Solidarity Map of Eastern Cape Small Scale Fishers" is a participatory map of the Eastern Cape coastline, rivers and location of small scale fisher cooperatives in relation to one another, to catalyse discussions about building greater cooperation and solidarity between different fisherfolk communities. The map was created in real time / real life together with fishers at the Eastern Cape small scale fishers workshop in June 2022. A framed print of this map was exhibited at the 'Our Ocean is Sacred' exhibition in Cape Town, South Africa from September to November 2022. A version of this map is also available on the Coastal Justice Network instagram page: |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The map has contributed to a deepened, more empowered, more nuanced and more plural engagement with complex socio-ecological-political aspects of ocean relationships and governance. |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/p/CeVibOhKeM0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= |
| Title | St Helena Bay photovoice exhibition |
| Description | St Helena Bay photovoice project has used photovoice method to document hidden activities in the fisheries value chain. Images and audio recordings generated from this project will be used as part of exhibition material that Hub researchers at the University of Cape Town, South Africa will co-organise with fishers in 2023. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | The project is still in development but will provide the opportunity for the direct contribution of fishers to the mapping of their fishery activities. |
| Title | Stained Memories |
| Description | Watercolour and found object produced by Rohini Amratlal to accompany the oral history I Got Hooked for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/i-got-hooked-jps-story/ |
| Title | The Art of Fishing |
| Description | Oral history produced by Riaz for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/the-art-of-fishing/ |
| Title | The Battle for the Piers |
| Description | Edited story produced by Thabisile Gumede for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for author Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/battle-for-the-piers/ |
| Title | The Blue Blanket: An Illustrated Poem |
| Description | The Blue Blanket is an illustrated poem spoken from Ulwandle (Ocean) as a response to ongoing oil and gas prospecting and developments along the South Africa coast. The isiXhosa word for ocean, uLwandle, falls in the same noun class as 'ubuntu' - in Nguni languages, the ocean is not a thing, not an object, like ubuntu - we are, because the ocean is. Therefore a poem written from the oceans perspective would be a We, not and I. This poem challenges developers to feel from the perspective of the ocean. The film is directed, illustrated and edited by Hub researcher Dylan McGarry. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | The film was released on 25 of November 2021, few days before Shell's seismic survey on the Wild Coast in South Africa began. The film reached over 1868 viewers within the first 12 hours release. The film has been shared widely on social media and has reached nearly 10,000 views on YouTube. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk |
| Title | The Human Chain |
| Description | Oral history produced by Snowy for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/the-human-chain-snowys-story/ |
| Title | The Ocean and Climate Change |
| Description | This short film introduces the One Ocean Hub's research efforts and approach at the ocean-climate nexus. It explains why integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential in tackling climate change and ensuring a just transition to a low-carbon future in the face of the rapid and vast changes that climate change is causing to the ocean, ocean life and the lives of the people reliant upon it. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | The film was played at Climate Change COP26 Green Zone Exhibition in November 2021, in Glasgow, UK. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqWCd9UR2Y&t=3s |
| Title | The Opressed Fishermen |
| Description | Edited story produced by Thabisile Gumede for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for author Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/the-oppressed-fisherman/ |
| Title | The Sea is My Farm: Roy's Story |
| Description | Edited story produced by Doung Jahangeer for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for author Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/the-sea-is-my-farm-roys-story-by-doung/ |
| Title | The Treacherous South Pier |
| Description | Oral history produced by Snowy for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/the-treacherous-south-pier-snowys-story/ |
| Title | The nexus between tangible and intangible cultural heritage and ocean governance in Ghana: The Case of Canoe Inscriptions, Festivals and Asafo Companies |
| Description | The One Ocean Hub's research in Ghana contributes to bridging the disconnection between legal, scientific and socio-cultural dimensions of ocean governance and cultural heritage drawing on the voices and perspectives of local people. In this short documentary we take a look at the symbolism of canoes among coastal people in Ghana and its relationship with Asafo* groups and local festivals. Through local knowledge systems, the researchers demonstrated how canoe inscriptions and the political economy of Asafo companies draws attention to the nexus between the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of coastal people and communities and its implications for fisheries management and ocean governance. *Asafo companies were the traditional warriors in local communities in Ghana involved in both defence and rescue missions until the evolution of the modern military. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | This documentary was first shown during the 'Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana' webinar by Dr. Georgina Yaa Oduro and Dr. John Windie Ansah of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology of the University of Cape Coast. The webinar was part of the Hub's programme of events during the United Nations World Oceans Week in June 2021. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0 |
| Title | Umkhosi Wenala Empatheatre play |
| Description | Umkhosi Wenala Empatheatre play is an Empatheatre and Mbazwana Creative Arts production related to the history of Isimangaliso Wetland Park. Hub researcher Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) is one of the co-founder of Empatheatre. Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed some research towards the development of the script. The play was performed in Northern Kwa Zulu Natal in September 2022. |
| Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Umkhosi Wenala Empatheatre play has contributed to a deepened, more empowered, more nuanced and more plural engagement with complex socio-ecological-political aspects of ocean relationships and governance. |
| URL | https://www.empatheatre.com/umkhosi-wenala |
| Title | Untitled acrylic on canvas painting |
| Description | The untitled acrylic on canvas painting was produced by Georgina Woti in 2021 in Papua New Guinea. This painting is produced as part of the 'Our Ocean Our Identity' project. The project "Our Ocean, Our Identity " was initiated in 2021 under the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund, led by Pax Jakupa (Papua New Guinea), in collaboration with artists in Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. An initiative of three local artists - Lloyd Newton in the Solomon Islands, Pax Jakupa in Papua New Guinea and Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga in Vanuatu - the project is a rare opportunity for artistic cross-country engagement in a region often overlooked by global art markets. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training, promotion of practice |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Title | Untitled1 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Casey Pratt to accompany the oral history An Unusual Catch for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/an-unusual-catch-tamlynns-story/ |
| Title | Untitled10 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Nompilo Mthethwa to accompany the edited story A Family that Fishes Together Stays Together for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/a-family-that-fishes-together-stays-together/ |
| Title | Untitled11 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Nompilo Mthethwa to accompany the edited story The Battle for the Piers for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/battle-for-the-piers/ |
| Title | Untitled12 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Zimvo Nonjola to accompany the oral history A Dwindling Species for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/a-dwindling-species/ |
| Title | Untitled13 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Kira Erwin to accompany the oral history Being Outdoors for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/being-outdoors-montys-story/ |
| Title | Untitled14 |
| Description | Acrylic on canvas produced by Georgina Woti for the DEEP Fund project Our Ocean Our Identity. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment and training for artist Notable Engagements: Project Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Title | Untitled2 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Casey Pratt to accompany the oral history Where Have All the Fish Gone for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/where-have-all-the-bait-fish-gone/ |
| Title | Untitled3 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Doung Jahangeer to accompany the edited story The Sea is My Farm: Roy's Story for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/the-sea-is-my-farm-roys-story-by-doung/ |
| Title | Untitled4 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Ezami Molefe to accompany the edited story A Fishing Heritage in Peril for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/a-fishing-heritage-in-peril/ |
| Title | Untitled5 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Ezami Molefe to accompany the oral history A Violation of the Sea for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/a-violation-of-the-sea-riazs-story/ |
| Title | Untitled6 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Ezami Molefe to accompany the oral history The Human Chain for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/the-human-chain-snowys-story/ |
| Title | Untitled7 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Lina Macanhe to accompany the oral history Close Encounters for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/riazs-close-encounter/ |
| Title | Untitled8 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Lina Macanhe to accompany the edited story In a Perfect World, Fishing Has No Gender for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/in-a-perfect-world-fishing-has-no-gender/ |
| Title | Untitled9 |
| Description | Photograph produced by Nompilo Mthethwa to accompany the oral history The Art of Fishing for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for artist Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/the-art-of-fishing/ |
| Title | View from the South Pier |
| Description | Photograph produced by Kira Erwin to accompany the oral history A Treacherous South Pier for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/the-treacherous-south-pier-snowys-story/ |
| Title | Whale |
| Description | Whale is an acrylic ink, watercolours and fineliner pens on paper painting (38×27 cm) produced by Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK). This painting is part of 'Marine Portraits', the first series of paintings Elisa Morgera has created. They were conceived and made during the first lockdown in the UK (2020) and loosely inspired by Dylan McGarry's artwork for the One Ocean Hub's website. They are both a way to celebrate the uniqueness and allure of marine life, and to feel personally connected to marine biodiversity as the centre of gravity of Elisa's lifework as a scholar. Marine portraits is the second exhibition on the One Ocean Learn platform, launched on 15 December 2022. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported at this stage. |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ |
| Title | What is Empatheatre: Short Documentary Film |
| Description | This short documentary film introduces Empatheatre as a methodology in sculpting new social spaces that act as amphitheaters for empathy. A space for reflexive deep listening in society over a public concern, that contributes to participatory justice in decision making, meaning making and solidarity building across societal spheres. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Impact | The documentary as published in December 2020 with the aim to engage a range of stakeholders, in particular researchers, policy makers, and practitioners responsible for undertaking public dialogues and consultation in policy and planning processes. The documentary seeks to introduce new approaches to participation in decision making. |
| URL | https://www.empatheatre.com/ |
| Title | Where Have All the Bait Fish Gone |
| Description | Oral history produced by Grant for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/where-have-all-the-bait-fish-gone/ |
| Title | You Live by the Sea; You Die by the Sea |
| Description | Oral history produced by Andre and William for the DEEP Fund project Fishers Tales. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Paid employment for project manager Training and capacity building of fieldworks Strengthened partnership between Durban University of Technology and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Notable Engagements: Project website https://fisherstales.org/ Artwork shared via social media One Ocean Hub blog post Artfully Sustaining the Sea, 27 January 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ One Ocean Hub blog post Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea, 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ Exhibition and associated public programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, March-April 2022 Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop, May 2021, 37 participants |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/andre-and-williams-story-you-live-by-the-sea-you-die-by-the-sea/ |
| Description | Our findings indicate that current approaches to ocean governance are insufficiently integrated, undermining ocean health, and are not inclusive of different needs in society, undermining economic and socio-cultural wellbeing. We have proven that a human rights-based approach to ocean governance supports more integrated and inclusive decision making, to the benefit of those whose lives and livelihoods are marginalised, but are most closely connected to the ocean. Our pioneering approach to a human rights-based and arts-based transdisciplinary research has continued to receive growing international and local recognition for enabling marginalized actors to voice their demands and exercise their rights. In South Africa, we documented and support multi-stakeholder responses to violations of small-scale fishers' (SSF) human rights, in the application of policy and legislation on fisheries, blue economy developments, marine conservation and land-based developments negatively impacting on the ocean. We also shed new light on distinctive knowledge systems and livelihoods of women in small-scale fishing communities. Researchers further documented the exclusion of SSF communities from relevant policy and decision-making processes and undue enforcement action. We have also co-developed innovative approaches to support SSF communities to collectively strategize nation-wide and across scales on multiple challenges through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) on threats arising from oil and gas explorations, blue economy activities as well as fisheries conservation and governance that negatively impact on SSFs' human rights. Furthermore, the Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (isZulu for "Festival of Abundance") embodies new findings and methods (counter-hegemonic mapping, participatory rural appraisals) for inter-generational and gender-transformative dialogue on exclusionary marine conservation, gender inequity and indigenous communities' customary laws. In Ghana, our findings indicate that key fisheries are under high fishing pressure, including potential collapse of the seabream fishery; reduced production in spite of increased fisher effort, and potential differences in temperature responses affecting the vulnerability of species important to ecosystem functioning. In parallel, we found what are the highest threats to the human rights of small-scale fishers (livelihoods, food), as well women within these communities (access to support; participation in decision-making) and children (health, education). We are finalizing innovative tools to integrate varied datasets and tools developed, to support different sectors of government in balancing multiple and competing fisheries and other marine sectors (e.g. oil and gas) with a view to protecting the most vulnerable (SDG 14b). In Namibia, we clarified the value of marine resources for small-scale fisheries, blue carbon potential and coastal tourism, as well as for continued cultural connections and traditional fishing activities of displaced Indigenous communities (Topnaar), to ensure that decisions at the national level take a more integrated approach to the ocean and its benefits to society. Internationally, our research clarified how more comprehensive human rights protection for SSFs, children, women and ocean defenders, supports the realization of multiple SDGs. We have also clarified the negative impacts on cultural rights of unsustainable and exclusionary blue economy initiatives, as well as "just transition" processes. Our recommendations were included in a variety of guidance documents addressed to States by different UN bodies. |
| Exploitation Route | Co-production of research and sustainable development solutions with ocean-dependent communities through innovative human rights-based and arts-based approaches is enabling better understanding of historical and contemporary injustices linked to the ocean and its resources, as well as the distinctive knowledge of Indigenous and local communities. Supporting the integration of community experiences, values and knowledge in scientific assessments, management and decision-making on ocean conservation and the blue economy can lead to better protection of their rights, cultures and livelihoods while leading to more effective environmental protection at different levels. At national level, governments are benefiting from access to new integrated scientific evidence base, methods and technologies to underpin integrated ocean assessment and management. In marine protected area work and in marine spatial planning, more participatory approaches have been devised by new collaborations between natural scientists, social scientists and communities. Hub research has also produced evidence that was used to challenge governments when their decision-making processes did not align with national and international human rights standards. Finally, our research contributed to the co-development of international guidance by various UN bodies to clarify States' obligations to protect the marine environment, fight climate change and protect the human rights of communities, women and children. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Creative Economy Environment Government Democracy and Justice Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/ |
| Description | The One Ocean Hub aims to improve the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous and traditional communities that are dependent on a healthy ocean, with particular attention to women and youth in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa, and to share learning and methods in the South Pacific and the Caribbean. The Hub is empowering, building capacity within, and learning from, the people who rely on the oceans, and who are disproportionately impacted by the failure to protect it. It is at the local and international levels that the Hub is having the greatest impact. In South Africa, the art-based and human rights-based approaches co-developed with Indigenous and local knowledge-holders, particularly by the Empatheatre collective and the Coastal Justice Network, but also those developed in Algoa Bay for the specific purposes of marine spatial planning have been integrated with research on marine biodiversity science, and have had impacts on policy, administrative and justice practice in South Africa. Findings from the Coastal Justice Network have also been shared with small-scale fishers at national scale and are being used at local level to challenge blue economy activities that impact on the human rights of small-scale fishers and marginalised coastal communities. In addition, research on gender and the ocean, as well as the use of art-based methods have also produced income-generation opportunities for local communities. The fisheries and social sciences research on small-scale and recreational fisheries have also had impacts on national regulation. We have analyzed these impacts in a series of case studies: - Empatheatre research-based theatre play Lalela uLwandle powerfully conveys the multiple threats to ocean health and human rights violations arising from the exclusion of small- scale fishers and Indigenous peoples from ocean-related decision- making processes, which led to judicial decisions in 2022-2023 to halt environmentally, socially and culturally damaging offshore oil exploration practices: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf - Empatheatre research-based theatre play Umkohosi Wenala provides an innovative public-debate space for inter-generational and gender-transformative dialogue on environmental and human rights concerns around marine protected areas: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Umkhosi_Wenala_12.10.23.pdf - Hub fisheries research contributed to the imposition of a ban on environmentally unsustainable and socially disruptive drone-assisted fisheries: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Sounding-the-alarm-on-the-use-of-drones-for-recreational-fishing-in-South-Africa_12.10.23.pdf - Research with women in small-scale fishing communities provides opportunities for supplementary livelihoods and reveals exploitative practices in seaweed harvesting: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Eastern-Cape_12.10.23.pdf Research findings integrating fisheries, legal and social sciences, as well as art-based approaches on the knowledge and culture of small-scale fishers, in Ghana are being shared with national fisheries and environmental authorities, enforcement officers, the judiciary and the national human rights ombudsman to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers, women and children, in ensuring more sustainable fisheries. The initial impacts of this research in Ghana in paving the way for the recognition of the human rights and knowledge of small-scale fishers and their integration in decision-making have been documented at https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf and https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf In Namibia, Hub research findings were fed into the development of the first policy on small-scale fisheries, through our partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. We are now working with the National Theatre of Namibia to support the consideration of human rights into the decision-making on blue economy initiatives with historical and current impacts on indigenous communities. We have documented and analysed the impacts in terms of capacity building, recognition and leadership of the Topnaar Indigenous community in developing an evidence base on their continued connections and human rights related to the ocean have been analysed at https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf Our DEEP Fund art projects in different countries in Africa and the Pacific have surfaced the priorities of Indigenous and local communities that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance; and strengthened the capacity and provided income-generating opportunities for community-based artists. Changes in attitude have been observed in Port Vila, Vanuatu, where has been an increase in appropriate litter disposal; and indigenous knowledge-based education materials were introduced in primary schools in Erromango, with the Vanuatu's Ocean Commissioner considering replicating the project in other islands. In South Africa, the art work enriched a proposal to the National Minister to start a dedicated process to ensure that Durban small-scale fishers are included under the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy. The global relevance of this area of research has been discussed in international forums such the UN Climate COP26-28, and World Ocean Weeks 2022-2023. Internationally, our findings were integrated in guidance to States by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, and UN Special Rapporteurs on Cultural Rights and on the Environment. We submitted findings to three international tribunals who have been tasked to clarify States' obligations to address climate change in 2024. We have analysed the international policy impact of our research on children's human rights and a healthy ocean on the development of the 2023 UN General Comment on Children's Human Right and a Healthy Environment, as well as the impact on the practices of child rights advocates and climate justice advocates, at https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf and https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf On the whole, the One Ocean Hub, over a period of 5 years of co-development and implementation with a variety of international partners (including numerous UN agencies) has established itself internationally as the most ambitious and advanced inter- and trans-disciplinary ocean research endeavour (findings, methodologies, partnerships for impact), with numerous examples of international and national impact to ensure equitable and integrated decisions on the ocean. This is demonstrated by the invitation from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO to the Hub to become an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade for Ocean Science and lead on a programme on transdisciplinarity. In addition, the One Ocean Hub has been recognised as one of the most innovative prototypes globally of "fair research for sustainable development" programme, which has led to the development of a set of transformative governance practices that reveal unrecognized and untapped synergies between research and governance, that can be adapted and embedded into different institutional frameworks at different scales to tackle intractable problems (eg: global governance of digital data on genetic sequences) across a wide range of areas of the 2030 Agenda beyond ocean-related themes. This is demonstrated by the requests for the Hub to contribute transferable findings and approaches in the context of the WHO pandemics treaty negotiations. Finally, the One Ocean Hub has been further recognised globally for its thought-leading research on environment and human rights that are relevant and transferable across different areas of the 2030 Agenda. This has been demonstrated by the impacts of Hub research on biodiversity more broadly (rather than only limited to marine biodiversity) and human rights in the context of the development of the 2023 UN General Comment on Children's Human Right and a Healthy Environment, with a Focus on Climate Change, and the UN Development Programme's guidance on business responsibility to respect the human right to a healthy environment. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Education,Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | 4th Capacity-building Hub Summary Report |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | The inclusion of the Empatheatre (Lalela Ulwandle) in the UNFCCC report document has spotlighted the role of transdiciplinary approach and arts-based participatory methods in building capacity for climate adaptation and mitigation. The Empatheatre team has received invitation by the UNFCCC Capacity Building Hub to perform at the next Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai. |
| URL | https://unfccc.int/documents/626647 |
| Description | A Regional Marine Spatial Planning Strategy for the Western Indian Ocean |
| Geographic Reach | Africa |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| URL | https://nairobiconvention.org/clearinghouse/sites/default/files/05_Lombard%20et%20al_WIO%20MSP%20Str... |
| Description | A regional Marine Spatial Planning strategy for the Western Indian Ocean |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Advising on global biodiversity framework |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The advice provided by Dr Lynne Shannon has been published by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat as an official information document to support inter-governmental negotiations at the UN Biodiversity Conference to be held in Kunming, China, later in 2022. The advice has been covered by international press, including Guardian, Le Monde, Macau Business, Globe and Mail, as well as on Nature. It focuses on transformative change through a variety of inter-linked goals, with action being coordinated at every scale. Dr Shannon was quoted explaining that "there is no one-to-one linkage from any action target to a specific milestone or goal; instead, 'many-to-many' relationships exist among them. We need to recognize, therefore, the complex relationships among targets, milestones and goals and undertake our planning and actions in an integrated manner." Dr Shannon is co-chair of Future Earth's bioDISCOVERY programme, one of the two renowned international science bodies leading the Expert group initiative. Her biodiversity work is conducted under the auspices of the One Ocean Hub, which provides the ideal framework for bridging the science-policy gap to realize uptake of scientific research by global (and national) policy/decision-makers. |
| URL | https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/16b6/e126/9d46160048cfcf74cadcf46d/wg2020-03-inf-11-en.pdf |
| Description | Aliwal Shoal case study changes access for fishers |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | The Costal Justice Network supported the Fisherfolk Forum with crafting an agenda in which small-scale fishers' representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base The first meeting took place in June 2021 and was facilitated by Hub researcher Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, South Africa) at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers such as Dr Kerry Sink (South African national Biodiversity Institute, South Africa) to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) South Africa and Ezimvelo, governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal Province, committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. This process has changed access for fishers. The amended boundary was gazetted by the Government of South Africa in September 2023. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researc... |
| Description | Assessing the feasibility and modalities of setting up a new EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on international ocean governance. |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The European Commission published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' in January 2022. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on: - The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). -For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). -The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). -The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). -The need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as 'the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). -Ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them' (European Commission, 2022: 55). See the full report here: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ |
| Description | Biodiversity as a Human Right and its implications for the EU's External Action |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EXPO_STU(2020)603491 |
| Description | Blue Pacific Ocean Report' of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://opocbluepacific.net/publications/#blue-pacific-ocean-report |
| Description | Co-development of a programme of collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme on marine litter |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Professor Elisa Morgera involvement in the co-development of initiatives on marine plastics with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has led to the award of multiple consultancies by UNEP in 2021 to develop: 1) develop an e-learning course on Sustainable Development Goal 14 (life below water) and international law; 2) a legal toolkit and e-learning course on marine litter and ocean plastics; and 3) awareness-raising materials on environmental justice, human rights and ocean plastics (90.000 USD, March-November 2021). In 2022 as a result of this partnership UNEP has also 1) invited the One Ocean Hub to participate in Global Partnership on Marine Litter Action Track 5 and Digital Platform phase 3 release: Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility that will take place on 17 February 2022 and 2) further committed to provide 90,000 USD to the Hub to support the development of awareness raising materials on ocean plastics, including for production of a short video. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-unep-on-sdg-14-marine-litter-and-environmental-justice/ |
| Description | Collaborating with UNDP on SDG 14-16 synergies |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The study provides a great opportunity to deepen both the United Nations and Hub's own reflection on Sustainable Development Goal synergies from an ocean research and governance perspective and its various streams of research on human rights as an essential pre-condition for justice and strong institutions. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/collaborating-with-undp-on-sdg-14-16-synergies/ |
| Description | Concept Note Submission to the United Nations Environment Programme Nairobi Convention Western Indian Ocean Regional Science to Policy Meeting |
| Geographic Reach | Africa |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://nairobiconvention.org/clearinghouse/sites/default/files/WIO%20MSP%20Policy%20Brief_6%20Oct20... |
| Description | Concept Note: Children's Rights at COP28 |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Description | Convention on Biological Diversity Thematic Workshop on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity for the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | OOH Deputy Director, Dr Daniela Diz (Strathclyde), was invited to contribute to the Convention on Biological Diversity Thematic Workshop on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity for the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework in Montreal, Canada. |
| Description | Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreements |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | DFFE launch new process to include SSFs |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Drone fishing ban (South Africa) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment released a public notice warning recreational anglers that the use of drones and other electronic devices is deemed illegal under the South African Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA 1998) |
| URL | https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/legislations/publicnotices/25february2022motorisedequipm... |
| Description | Explicit reference to Hub evidence in the UN Secretary General's report on the right to food and climate change |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc5347-adverse-impact-climate-change-full-real... |
| Description | Hub evidence quotes in the report of the UN Special Report on cultural rights on the right to science |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/A-HRC-55-44-AEV.docx |
| Description | Hub evidence relied upon by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | In her 2022 report, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, Alexandra Xanthaki sought to: addresses the role of culture in sustainable development, with a view to assessing how cultural diversity and cultural rights have been mainstreamed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development so far; taking stock of the experiences in leveraging cultural resources and cultural rights in the pursuit of a more sustainable development, as well as the weaknesses encountered in doing so; and highlighting areas where increased cultural awareness may contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals during the second half of the implementation timeline of the 2030 Agenda. The report also states at the outset the premise (para 1) that: "Cultural rights are indispensable to sustainable development. Development will only be sustainable if it is shaped by the values of the people that it involves and the meaning that they ascribe to it, protects their resources and uses their heritage in all its dimensions - tangible, living and natural. A human rights approach with a strong consideration for cultural rights is both a framework for and a guarantee of success for any development agenda." The Rapporteur also underscored that cultural rights and cultural diversity are essential to ensure that development is sustainable and gives a voice to marginalised people affected by development processes (para 5). She also emphasised that respect for cultural rights is part and parcel of "leaving no-one behind", recalling that (paras 9-10): "Cultural rights protect the right of each person individually, in community with others and collectively, to develop and express their humanity, their world views and the meanings they give to their existence and their development, including through, inter alia, values, beliefs, convictions, languages, knowledge and the arts, institutions and ways of life. Cultural rights also protect the cultural heritage of the individual and groups and the resources that enable such identification and development processes." Evidence from the One Ocean Hub was then cited by the Rapporteur in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (para 20), although the prevailing development practices are lacking consideration of cultural rights, different values and worldviews, due to inequalities and stereotypes that prevent transformative change and are based on colonial legacies that have shaped dominant conceptions of development imposing a paradigm of "progress" that is not compatible with affected communities' understandings (para 21 and 25-26). She thus called for decolonising and democratising sustainable development, including by unearthing and acknowledging historical injustices committed in the name of progress and in violation of the cultural rights of local populations (paras 25-25). |
| URL | https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N22/461/66/PDF/N2246166.pdf?OpenElement |
| Description | Hub researcher, Prof Lynne Shannon (University of Cape Town, South Africa) spotlighted the Hub as a key example of ocean research initiative at European Marine Board workshop |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Dr Lynne Shannon's talk on the Ocean and Biodiversity spotlighted the One Ocean Hub as a key example of an ocean research initiative that builds connections between disciplines in achieving global biodiversity targets (see also here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/, here: https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/). This is by virtue of One Ocean Hub's transdisciplinary approach to knowledge co-production for sustainable ocean action. The European Marine Board later convened an expert group to write a foresight document on the marine science needed in the next 5 years - the "Navigating the Future Series," which is expected to be published in 2024. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/navigating-the-future/ |
| Description | Hub's contributions to the new pandemic treaty |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_sour... |
| Description | Including the ocean in international guidance on children's right to a healthy environment |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/including-the-ocean-in-international-guidance-on-childrens-right-to-a-health... |
| Description | Influencing practice of practitioners in the field of children rights |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub has contributed to integrate in a vast global network of child rights and climate justice actors consideration of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. In addition, the Hub has been asked to take the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of the 2023 UN General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, thereby contributing to ensure that advocacy initiatives on children's human rights and climate change are connected also with other environmental threats, notably in relation to the marine environment. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategizing and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-prot... |
| Description | Informal summary report of the Ocean dialogue (SB58 June 2023) includes reference to the Hub |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://ocean-climate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SB58_Synthesis-Report_Ocean-and-Climate_SBSTA-D... |
| Description | Inputs into the UNDP guidance on business due diligence and the environment |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | https://www.undp.org/rolhr/consultation-hrddpluse |
| Description | Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services - transformative change assessment report |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.ipbes.net/transformative-change |
| Description | Judicial decisions based on Empatheatre artwork |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | Lalela uLwandle has been relied on as evidence of intangible cultural heritage in three separate court cases in South Africa that were decided in favour of small-scale fishers (https://bit.ly/3BNm1dX), leading to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://bit.ly/3IfGNGr). High Court of South Africa (Eastern Cape), https://groundup.org.za/media/uploads/documents/judgment_on_sustaining_wild_coast_v_minister_of_mineral_resources__energy__others.pdf Court judgement for the Shell case: https://cer.org.za/virtual-library/case- watch/challenges-to-shells-seismic- blasting-on-south-africas-wild-coast- december-2021 Court judgement for the Searcher Geodata case https://cer.org.za/virtual- library/judgments/high-courts/ christian-john-adams-others-v- minister-of-mineral-resources- and-energy-others-west-coast-seismic- blasting-part-a-interdict-march-2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf |
| Description | Lalela Ulwandle - Empatheatre- SOUTH AFRICA |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Law clinics for women in small-scale fishing communities in Ghana |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | The pop-up clinics allowed to identify recurring legal challenges for women in small-scale fishing communities and to provide immediate legal advice. They also identified follow-up steps for women to exercise their human rights. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/listening-closely-hub-engagement-in-ghana/ |
| Description | Mapping for justice: Mining maps used to support development applications |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | The dataset and the GIS maps produced have been used as the basis of discussions between the UCT team and small-scale fishers with the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the group of scientists who are currently developing the biodiversity maps. The biodiversity maps developed by SANBI and the scientists will serve as the basis for the marine spatial planning process in South Africa. The lead scientists involved in this process have indicated the usefulness of the GIS maps co-developed by the UCT team and small-scale fishers in contributing towards the adoption of an interim small-scale fisheries map. Currently, the maps produced from this dataset are used as a placeholder, whilst a more accurate small-scale fisheries map is developed. This is the first time that the small-scale fisheries sector has been represented on a map used by SANBI and South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for the purposes of marine spatial planning. This pilot has produced notable impacts: The fishers have shared their geo-referenced maps with other small-scale fishers at a regional workshop held on 27 March 2023 held in Velddrif, Western Cape Province The workshop that took place on 28-29 March 2023 was attended by small-scale fishers from Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t7gtofvfernq1mfkvdb3eckme3). The fishers from the region, representing more than 10 fishing communities all requested that they also be assisted in developing maps of this nature as they could see this would strengthen their position in negotiations and marine spatial planning processes. The mining maps and supporting information is being used by various government departments to guide their responses to mining applications and other development applications, as well as policy decisions regarding mining in the coastal zone, and policy discussions regarding under what circumstances is a Strategic Environmental Assessment required. The project has also influenced the provincial government to recognise the value and importance of mapping and they have taken a decision to develop their capacity to do this mapping. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-alo... |
| Description | Namibia National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries 2022-2026 (NPOA-SSF) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Namibia National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries was launched in June 2022 and mentioned about the One Ocean Hub in the list of acronyms and referred to video recording of FAO and One Ocean Hub webinar on Namibia's Experience in the Implementation of Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries. The National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries is developed against the backdrop of the Global FAO Umbrella Programme "enhancing the contribution of small-scale fisheries to food security and sustainable livelihoods" which supports the promotion, application, and subsequent implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the context of food security and poverty alleviation (SSF Guidelines) giving emphasis to empowering vulnerable and marginalised small-scale fisheries actors and their organizations to engage in relevant processes that affect their livelihoods. |
| URL | https://namibia.un.org/en/207292-national-plan-action-small-scale-fisheries-2022-2026-npoa-ssf |
| Description | National Ocean Policy of Fiji |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.economy.gov.fj/images/CCIC/uploads/Ocean/NOP_2020_Print01.pdf |
| Description | New United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s e-learning course on gender and the environment |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | The e-learning course on gender and the environment course explores the extent to which gender equality has been addressed under international environmental agreements, as well as international human rights processes, with regard to: land and terrestrial biodiversity, ocean, climate change, chemicals and freshwaters. It looks, each thematic area, at access to resources, participation in relevant decisions, mainstreaming, and access to support. By promoting gender equality, this course can help deliver better environmental outcomes. It is also served as a valuable training tool for students, practitioners, and policy makers. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-un-e-learning-course-on-gender-and-the-environment/ |
| Description | OOH Written Evidence Relied on by UN Secretary General Report |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://www.ohchr.org/en/climate-change/impact-climate-change-right-food |
| Description | On going engagement as part of the Children Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | As part of CERI partnership, the One Ocean Hub has contributed on social media to a 'twitterstorm' calling for the right to a healthy environment to be recognised by the Human Rights Council. The governments of Costa Rica, Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland, or the "Core Group," formally introducef the resolution for the global recognition of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment at the Human Rights Council session on 13 September - 8 October 2021. On 8 October 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution recognising the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as an important human right. Following of the signing of MOU with CERI in September 2021 the Hub is co-developing an e-learning course for 13-15 year-old on children's rights to a healthy environment including the ocean and providing contributions to a new process for the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to develop a General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change, as well as the UN Joint Commitment to promote the right of children, youth and future generations to a healthy environment and their meaningful participation in decision-making at all levels. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-becomes-official-partner-of-the-childrens-environmental-rights-initiativ... |
| Description | Policy brief: Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | This policy brief is one of the concrete evidence of Hub's efforts in bringing together different UN bodies to raise awareness and build alliances for the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. Following the co-development of the policy brief the Hub, FAO, and OHCHR have been working closely in planning a series of events for the closing of celebration of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These include virtual dialogue series on the role of national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights on 1-2 February 2023 and a series of hybrid workshops (in-person in Rome and virtual) on fisheries subsidies, capacity building session on small-scale fishers' human rights, arts-based participatory research, as well as Empatheatre performance. |
| URL | https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en |
| Description | Reflecting on women's rights to a healthy ocean, based on the 2023 report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | "Urgent, gender-transformative, rights-based climate and environmental action" is required to achieve gender equality and ecological sustainability- recently said the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment in his thematic report on women's and girls' human right to a healthy environment (A/HRC/52/33). Although the report does not refer often to women's and girls' human right to a healthy environment in the marine context, there are a few references to fisheries as a context in which particular human rights issues arise for women and girls. In addition, the vast majority of the points and recommendations formulated in the report are relevant for women's and girls' human rights and a healthy ocean, in particular women and girls in small-scale fishing communities. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-womens-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-based-on-the-2023-report-of-t... |
| Description | Regional framework for ecosystem monitoring in the Western Indian Ocean |
| Geographic Reach | Africa |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| URL | https://www.dropbox.com/s/8vdo0fwmljwq5fe/WIO%20Science%20to%20Policy%20Platform%20Series_FV2.pdf?dl... |
| Description | SEYCHELLES Ocean's Policy |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Sans frontières - Ocean and Coastal Sustainability of the Western Indian Ocean |
| Geographic Reach | Africa |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Scientific Advisory Group (SAGE) Sub-committee on Marine Ecology and Risk Mitigation's Advisory on the Use of Deep-Sea Seismic Surveys to Explore for Oil and Gas Deposits in South African Waters |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| URL | https://www.assaf.org.za/files/2022/SAGE/SAGE%20Advisory%20on%20Shell%20Seismic%20Survey.pdf |
| Description | Sharing transferable findings for a new World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic treaty |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The inputs provided by the One Ocean Hub at the workshop informed the development of a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the development of a future international pandemic treaty by 2024. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ |
| Description | South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) investigating impact of coffer dam mining |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | The South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has begun to investigate the impact of coffer dam mining at the request of the One Ocean Hub and fishers. Although this is in its early stages, it is a significant shift. Since the project started, the researchers have been invited by government departments at local, provincial and national level, as well as various NGOs and other associations, to present the state of knowledge of mining and prospecting on the west coast. This data is now being used by various government departments, committees, and task teams to inform planning and decision-making and has featured in several newspaper articles and consultant reports. By creating and maintaining this comprehensive database, we are working to support transparent and accountable decision-making. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-alo... |
| Description | South Africa Government Marine Spatial Planning Working Group |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | South Africa Government Scientific Working Group and Task Team |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | South Africa amending National Environmental Management Act |
| Geographic Reach | Africa |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Strengthening the capacity of small islands developing states (SIDS) in ocean governance |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | As of March 2024, a total of 35 capacity-building sessions were co-organized by the Hub with UNDOALOS, having reached 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. For detailed information on partnership with UNDOALOS see collaboration entry "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance." For detailed information on partnership with UNDP see collaboration entry "Strengthening synergies across Sustainable Development Goals." The 2024 requests to the Hub from UNDOALOS and UNDP demonstrate that the integrated approach to understanding the law of the sea in connection with international environmental law and human rights is seen as an essential approach to be integrated in international capacity-building programmes. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-law-and-art-based-research-insights-with-un-nippon-fellows/ |
| Description | Submission to the United Nations Environment Programme Nairobi Convention: Sans frontières - Ocean and Coastal Sustainability of the Western Indian Ocean |
| Geographic Reach | Africa |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.nairobiconvention.org/clearinghouse/sites/default/files/Provisional%20Agenda_Science%20t... |
| Description | Submissions against coastal mining |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Submissions on mining prospecting and exploration applications under the auspices of the Blue Economy highlighting the impacts on small-scale fishing communities |
| Geographic Reach | Africa |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | The Hub's direct contribution to the 2020-20221 Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative Report |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| URL | https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf |
| Description | The UN General Comment on Children's Rights and a Healthy Environment refers to the ocean, following on Hub advice |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | The inclusion of the ocean and biodiversity in the UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and the Environment has led to raising awareness and change in practices among child rights and climate justice advocates about the need to ensure the protection of children's rights in ocean-related decision making processes, and equally about the need to protect the marine environment as a way to protect children's human rights in climate change-related decision-making processes. In addition, the General Comment will not guide the role of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in monitoring State conduct on the protection of children's rights in environmental decision-making, as well as the conduct of civil society organizations that provide independent monitoring of State conduct to the UN Committee. While it is too early to provide evidence of changed practice within the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, we have already seen various advocacy materials on climate justice and children's human rights that integrate the ocean as a result of the awareness raised and advice provided by the Hub in the development of the UN General Comment. In addition, children rights advocates have approached the Hub to raise awareness about the UN General Comment among international ocean decision-making bodies. |
| URL | https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-... |
| Description | UK Government Biodiversity and Ecosystems Enquiry |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/62/environmental-audit-committee/publications/oral-eviden... |
| Description | UK Government Biodiversity and Ecosystems Enquiry |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/62/environmental-audit-comm |
| Description | UKRI Final Report on Global Challenges Research Fund Evaluation Module: Research Fairness |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | The Hub approaches on fairness of opportunity, process, and benefits in research have provided guideliness and benchmarks to assess how UKRI funded international collaborative programme is treating partners, stakeholders and communities in the global South fairly, and contributing to the emergence of equitable and sustainable collaborations. The report published by the UKRI is crucial to asess fairness in research in relation to: strategy, vision and decision making; the commissioning process; programme-level partnership with key institutions in the global South; award-level partnerships; and broader stakeholder engagement. It considers the way in which GCRF as a whole interacts with research ecosystems in the global South ('contextual fairness') as a cross-cutting lens. This assessment report could serve as a useful toolkit not only for UKRI but also to other funders to guide their research fairness and equity review. |
| URL | https://www.itad.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GCRF-Fairness-Stage-1a_Full-report_formatted-version... |
| Description | UN Committee on the Rights of the Child consultation for the general comment on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2rmqn43m0nul1aohvd4ttr65eh |
| Description | UN Food and Agriculture Organisation: Guide on Legislating for Small Scale Fisheries |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb0885en |
| Description | UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment report on investor-State dispute settlement for climate and environment action and human rights cited Hub evidence |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/a78168-paying-polluters-catastrophic-consequence... |
| Description | UNEP consulation on Environmental Defenders |
| Geographic Reach | Africa |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
| Impact | The meeting brought together experts from across the world with the purpose of discussing and sharing practices such as defense activities, livelihood projects as well as prevention of and protection against attacks. They aimed to identify gaps in existing UN guidance with a view to putting forward practical recommendations to relevant bodies and mechanisms of the UN. The outcomes will inform a compilation of good practices and recommendations, that will be made available through a report and an online interactive tool, accessible via www.environment-rights.org. The global consultation was attended by the former and current UN Special Rapporteurs on Human rights and the Environment, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, as well as several representatives of UN agencies. UNEP has included the Hub policy recommendations on "ocean defenders" in forthcoming UN Guidance on the Protection of Environmental Human Rights Defenders, addressed to UN Resident Coordinators (who can mobilise at country level financial, legal and logistic resources to protect defenders). |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-highlights-role-and-needs-of-small-scale-fishers-at-un-consult... |
| Description | Workshop 2: International Sharing of Pathogens, Genetic Sequence Data (GSD), and Benefits: What are the options? 25 November 2022 |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Hub contributions and future participation in the workshop series will contribute to the development of the new pandemic treaty that is led by the World Health Organization (WHO). |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ |
| Description | (MISSION ATLANTIC) - Towards the Sustainable Development of the Atlantic Ocean: Mapping and Assessing the present and future status of Atlantic marine ecosystems under the influence of climate change and exploitation |
| Amount | € 11,564,093 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | 862428 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 08/2020 |
| End | 08/2025 |
| Description | A Natural Capital Approach to Celtic Seas Pelagic Fisheries |
| Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Department | Marine Management Organisation (MMO) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Amagagasi -Tides - Mbazwana Public Storytelling Project |
| Amount | R125,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | National Arts Council of South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 02/2022 |
| End | 02/2023 |
| Description | Aquaculture potential over seabed within the Crown Estate jurisdiction |
| Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Crown Estate |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Canada-CARICOM Faculty Leadership Program |
| Amount | $3,200 (CAD) |
| Organisation | Government of Canada |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Canada |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 02/2023 |
| Description | Capacity Building of African Young Scientists in Precision Agriculture Through Cross-Regional Academic Mobility for Enhanced Climate-Smart Agri-Food System. Benin, Eswatini, France, Ghana, Morocco and Rwanda |
| Amount | € 1,796,820 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | NDICI-2023-MOBAF |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 01/2024 |
| End | 12/2028 |
| Description | Community of Practice (CoP): Marine Spatial Plan for Algoa Bay; Phase II Algoa Bay, South Africa |
| Amount | R7,000,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | South African National Research Foundation (NRF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 09/2020 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | Community of Practice in "Western Indian Ocean: Assessing the applicability of the ocean-accounts framework (OAF)" |
| Amount | R7,000,000 (ZAR) |
| Funding ID | UID: 125455 |
| Organisation | South African National Research Foundation (NRF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 01/2020 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Description | Deep Connections |
| Amount | R1,246,950 (ZAR) |
| Funding ID | ACEP200210502862 - Grant Number: 129216 |
| Organisation | South African National Research Foundation (NRF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 01/2021 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Deep Ocean Observing Strategy Collective Solution Accelerator |
| Amount | $3,700 (USD) |
| Organisation | University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 09/2023 |
| End | 10/2023 |
| Description | ECO-ACE Research Grant funded by the National Research Foundation (South Africa) under the Global Change Grand Challenge |
| Amount | R3,636,936 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | South African National Research Foundation (NRF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 12/2024 |
| Description | ECOWIND |
| Amount | £400,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2022 |
| End | 07/2026 |
| Description | EU Horizon 2020 Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment |
| Amount | £217,973 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 101083922 |
| Organisation | European Union |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 11/2022 |
| End | 10/2027 |
| Description | Economic Valuation of Ecosystems (Marine and Inland Aquatic) Goods and Services, Impacts of Climate Change on Fisheries and Aquaculture, Africa |
| Amount | $40,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | African Union Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Start | 06/2023 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | Ecosystem Change, Offshore Wind, Net Gain and Seabirds (ECOWINGS) |
| Amount | £473,159 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/X008983/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2022 |
| End | 08/2026 |
| Description | Ecosystem-based adaptive capacity through community engagement (Eco-ACE) |
| Amount | R3,600,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | South African National Research Foundation (NRF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 12/2024 |
| Description | Extension on COVID-Tourism Impact Study |
| Amount | R70,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Fellowship |
| Amount | R140,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | The David & Elaine Potter Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2021 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Food and Agriculture Organization's in-kind match funding for developmemt of e-learning course |
| Amount | $37,450 (USD) |
| Organisation | United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | Italy |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 04/2022 |
| Description | Ghana Climate University Network: Making knowledge to work for climate adaptation Ghana |
| Amount | € 776,208 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CBHE |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 01/2024 |
| End | 12/2026 |
| Description | Global Change Grand Challenge - Belmont Forum |
| Amount | R540,078 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Department | Belmont Forum |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Global |
| Start | 07/2020 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Grant to fund the training of fisheries law enforcement training in Walvis Bay, Namibia |
| Amount | € 10,000 (EUR) |
| Organisation | Konrad Adenauer Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | Germany |
| Start | 11/2022 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Description | Grant to organise fisheries law enforcement training in Walvis Bay, Namibia |
| Amount | £59,000 (NAD) |
| Organisation | University of Namibia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | Namibia |
| Start | 11/2022 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Description | Harnessing natural product diversity to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens |
| Amount | £1,900,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MC_PC_MR/T029579/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | Hidden Histories of Environmental Sciences: Acknowledging legacies of race, social injustice and exclusion to inform the future |
| Amount | £125,583 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 04/2023 |
| Description | High-Seas Alliance/Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative Travel Grant for Deep-Sea Scientist |
| Amount | $840 (USD) |
| Organisation | Ocean Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 09/2022 |
| End | 10/2022 |
| Description | ISPF Institutional Support fund |
| Amount | £187,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Government of Scotland |
| Department | Scottish Funding Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2023 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | In-kind contribution to South Africa Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund Project: Fishers' Tales |
| Amount | R10,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | Durban University of Technology |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 02/2022 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | Marine Research and Innovation for a Sustainable management of Coasts and Oceans (MARISCO) |
| Amount | $250,000 (USD) |
| Funding ID | https://www.belmontforum.org/projects/marine-research-and-innovation-for-a-sustainable-management-of-coasts-and-oceans/ |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Department | Belmont Forum |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Global |
| Start | 02/2020 |
| End | 02/2023 |
| Description | National Arts Council of South Africa Research Grant |
| Amount | R15,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | National Arts Council of South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 02/2022 |
| End | 02/2023 |
| Description | National Research Foundation Research Grant |
| Amount | R400,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | South African National Research Foundation (NRF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 01/2020 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Description | OCEAN Sustainability Pathways for Achieving Conflict Transformation |
| Amount | R900,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Department | Belmont Forum |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Global |
| Start | 07/2020 |
| End | 08/2023 |
| Description | Outreach and Engagement Grant - Champions Public Engagement Grant |
| Amount | £300 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Society for Applied Microbiology |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2022 |
| End | 01/2023 |
| Description | Plastic free fishing "What is the social, ecological and economic potential for zero plastic, zero carbon fishing on the Isles of Scilly" |
| Amount | £109,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | SANBI's African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme - DEEP CONNECTIONS - The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme |
| Amount | R200,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | South African National Biodiversity Institute |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 11/2021 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Description | SAPPHIRE project: Development of regional ecosystem indicators |
| Amount | R1,300,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | SGSAH/British Council Earth Scholarship |
| Amount | £9,950 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH) |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2024 |
| End | 12/2024 |
| Description | Small fish for food and nutrition security in Africa (SmallFish4Food) |
| Amount | R1,600,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | South African National Research Foundation (NRF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 01/2024 |
| End | 12/2026 |
| Description | South African National Research Foundation's Marine Research Call: Towards the Development of Catch-And-Release Zones for Resilient Shore-based Marine Fisheries in South Africa |
| Amount | R2,078,200 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | South African National Research Foundation (NRF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 12/2024 |
| Description | Staff Mobility, University of Gdansk |
| Amount | € 3,200 (EUR) |
| Organisation | Erasmus + |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 04/2023 |
| Description | Staff Mobility, University of Gdansk |
| Amount | € 3,200 (EUR) |
| Organisation | Erasmus + |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 04/2024 |
| Description | State of the Sound |
| Amount | £40,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Plymouth City Council |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Strathclyde Economic and Social Research Council Impact Acceleration Account: Perceived Risks and Vulnerability Assessment of Climate Change Impacts to Small-Scale Fishers |
| Amount | £9,993 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2024 |
| End | 01/2025 |
| Description | Stronger Shores - Flood and Coastal Resilience Programme |
| Amount | £6,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Environment Agency |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2023 |
| End | 12/2027 |
| Description | TRIATLAS (EU-H2020) |
| Amount | R6,900,000 (ZAR) |
| Funding ID | 817578 |
| Organisation | European Union |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 07/2019 |
| End | 07/2023 |
| Description | The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) Deep Connections Project |
| Amount | R1,550,000 (ZAR) |
| Funding ID | 129216 |
| Organisation | South African National Research Foundation (NRF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | South Africa |
| Start | 01/2021 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | United Nations Environment Programme - Capacity Building |
| Amount | $95,375 (USD) |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | Kenya |
| Start | 04/2021 |
| End | 11/2021 |
| Description | Vulnerability Assessments for Small Island Developing States |
| Amount | R900,000 (ZAR) |
| Organisation | Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | Italy |
| Start | 02/2022 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Description | Western Indian Ocean Marine Spatial Planning Strategy |
| Amount | $31,500 (USD) |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | Kenya |
| Start | 09/2020 |
| End | 08/2021 |
| Description | World Ocean Assessment Second Round Regional Workshop |
| Amount | $2,500 (USD) |
| Organisation | UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 05/2023 |
| End | 06/2023 |
| Description | World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Research Grant |
| Amount | $43,500 (USD) |
| Organisation | World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK) |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2022 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Consultancy Award: "Scoping for the design of a methodological tool for enhancing the sustainability and suitability of national MSP in NMC countries" |
| Amount | $32,921 (USD) |
| Funding ID | AO - 016/TNR/2021 |
| Organisation | World Wide Fund for Nature |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Start | 06/2021 |
| End | 10/2021 |
| Title | A blueprint for integrating scientific approaches and international communities to assess basin-wide ocean ecosystem status |
| Description | The blueprint was developed by Hub researchers, Prof Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh, UK) and Prof Andrew Sweetman (Heriot-Watt, UK) in collaboration with other external researchers from organisations such as Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel and Christian-Albrechts-University, Germany and European Marine Observation and Data network (EMODnet) Secretariat, Belgium. The Blueprint is founded on whole-ocean observations implemented by (1) an autonomous floating sensor fleet with funding and participation by an international consortium (ARGO floats), (2) coordinated transatlantic oceanographic monitoring arrays, and (3) innovative cost-effective technologies and ocean models to expand the spatio-temporal scales of observations and so provide the physical oceanographic framework for ecosystem studies. To overcome disparities in research and equipment capacity, detailed research co-design between North and South Atlantic must include shared access to offshore vessels, data, training, and supporting infrastructure. It must include effective capacity building and wider engagement, and be completed in parallel with science planning. Barriers created by limitations in funding structure, travel restrictions, or more recently, pandemic-related regulations mean this remains challenging. The Blueprint advances six priorities that target fundamental gaps in our understanding of basin and regional-scale oceanography (Priority 1) and ecosystem resilience (distribution, connectivity, responses to climate change and multiple stressors; Priorities 2-4). It allows us both to deliver an integrated assessment of ecosystem status and dynamics and to understand resilience to global change in the deep and open Atlantic Ocean. These four research priorities must be grounded in close collaboration, capacity development and meaningful engagement with key stakeholders (Priority 6) to inform management priorities, aggregate, standardise and disseminate research data and products through regional and global platforms (Priority 5) and by embedding work at the science-policy interface throughout (Priority 6). |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This Blueprint results from Hub research on deep-sea ecosystems and other collaborative research programmes that focus on the Atlantic Ocean (e.g. iAtlantic). It directly supports the UN Ocean Decade of Science for Sustainable Development Goal to facilitate capacity development and technology transfer solutions toward a more equitable world. Ocean ecosystems are at the forefront of the climate and biodiversity crises, yet we lack a unified approach to assess their state and inform sustainable policies. This blueprint is designed around research capabilities and cross-sectoral partnerships. It highlights priorities including integrating basin-scale observation, modelling and genomic approaches to understand Atlantic oceanography and ecosystem connectivity; improving ecosystem mapping; identifying potential tipping points in deep and open ocean ecosystems; understanding compound impacts of multiple stressors including warming, acidification and deoxygenation; enhancing spatial and temporal management and protection. These goals are best achieved through partnerships with policy-makers and community stakeholders, and promoting research groups from the South Atlantic through investment and engagement. Given the high costs of such research (€800k to €1.7M per expedition and €30-40M for a basin-scale programme), international cooperation and funding are integral to supporting science-led policies to conserve ocean ecosystems that transcend jurisdictional borders. |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00645-w |
| Title | A new counter-hegemonic mapping tool and instrument |
| Description | In South Africa a growing network of small-scale fisher leaders, environmental justice organisations and researchers from the One Ocean Hub, called the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), has been responding collaboratively since 2020 to a range of injustices - social, environmental, economic - experienced by coastal communities and environments. We have worked collaboratively to respond to the expected negative impacts of proposed offshore oil and gas expansion, lack of participation and other human rights issues around the creation and planning of marine protected areas, policy and management failures towards small-scale fisheries, water crises in coastal communities, COVID lockdown-related limitations to public participation, and others. One significant area of work, with noteworthy recent impact, is the development of a new counter-hegemonic mapping tool and instrument aimed at linking up, mobilising capacity, and facilitating popular education processes for small-scale fisher leaders, traditional leaders, coastal youth and other coastal citizens who have been negatively affected by the expansion of the network of Marine Protected Areas (MPA). The historical and contemporary human rights issues related to MPA expansion include, but are not limited to, communities being forcibly displaced from coastal ancestral land, experiencing heavy restrictions to their access and livelihood practices along the coastline in disregard of their sustainable customary practices, exclusion from MPA planning, zonation and other decision making, and culturally inappropriate and ineffective participatory processes on these issues. The development of the new counter hegemonic mapping tool and instrument is expanding through the CJN based on a collaborative project between the One Ocean Hub and the Deep Connections project at Mbazwana in Kwa Zulu Natal. The counter-hegemonic mapping tool is developed by CJN closely with small-scale fishers' communities to: 1. Map their concerns; 2. Support efforts for small-scale fishers and other leaders to participate in online consultations around the country; 3. Document their capacity mobilization needs, and; 4. Continue ethnographic research (oral histories, interviews, focus groups, archival analysis) with small-scale fishers and other coastal groups. The CJN used novel creative methods in participatory research (Empatheatre, Public Storytelling, Counter-hegemonic mapping, transgressive learning, popular education) to translate the MPA draft management plan into isiXhosa (the local language), deciphering the complex language and research page by page with the leaders. CJN also used an 'embodied mapping' constellation process in which leaders paced out the draft maps and zonation of the MPA across the hall, using their bodies as reference points for land-marks and noticeable boundaries of the MPA. In 2022 the CJN used Counter Hegemonic Mapping and Empatheatre methodology ("Umkhosi Wenala" play) to create a new process of working that was co-developed by 13 young activities and 8 elders , who brought stories over a period of 200 years and iterated the resulting timeline over 18 months near Isimangaliso MPA (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/). The CJN then also created relational maps of these, which were then through "call and response" methods added to a theatre production and living map of these stories and concerns. The play and maps were performed to communities and traditional authorities with feedback and further iteration. See this link for more detail: https://vimeo.com/791847743/b95e473231. The Counter Hegemonic Mapping using Empatheatre methdology has been captured in the "Umkhosi Wenala" script and manuscript, but not yet published. Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) and early-career researcher, Jen Whittingham (University of Cape Town) wrote a joint publication on this mapping method, which has shifted the ways in which traditional authorities can reflect on their decision-making systems around MPAs and other coastal decisions, and which allows the voices of women and youth to be heard despite embedded power, age and gender dynamics within these communities. The manuscript was submitted to Frontiers in Marine Science: Marine Affairs and Policy's special issue on Social Science Perspectives on Marine Biodiversity Governance. The title of the manuscript is; "Mapping for Connection, a life beyond mapping for control: Lessons from 'mapping-as-performance' with Empatheatre, in South Africa." |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Through the use of counter-hegemonic mapping process, a new tool was developed by the CJN that contributed significantly to the inclusion of small-scale fishers in the Amathole MPA consultation in 2021 and can be used or adapted by anyone. The counter-hegemonic mapping tool offered more nuanced and detailed understanding of the implications of the draft management plan for the MPA, enabled the small-scale fisher leaders to document their questions and concerns, and align their concerns to the specific page number of the management plan in preparation for the meeting to discuss the Amathole MPA with South Africa Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) on 10 June 2021. On the day of the meeting, the three nominated small-scale fishers' cooperative leaders expressed their concerns and questioned aspects of the management plan. Although the atmosphere/agenda/tone of day was still very much in the control of government leaders, the meeting was held mainly in isiXhosa and our team were able to facilitate an interactive participatory mapping and public storytelling process. This allowed for rich, nuanced, place-based accountability to the impact of the management plan, and for dynamic dialogue - and associated tensions, to be expressed with generative engagement on both sides. This can be considered a watershed moment in MPA consultation, where past inequalities and exclusions from ocean-related decision making, could be discussed in communities' own language and on the basis of understandable maps and documentation. As a result, the authorities at the meeting expressed a commitment to include small-scale fisher cooperatives in the decision-making forum for the Amathole MPA moving forward. The insights and oral histories from the new dataset were also shared internationally, at the closing events of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, which the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation co-organised with the Hub on 27-31 March 2023 in Rome, Italy (469 people); a series of four side-events for the UN World Oceans Day 2023, which were co-organised with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance on 7-9 June 2024 at the UN Plaza (111 people), New York and the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2023 (350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees) with policy makers and practitioners involved in sustainable fisheries and marine conservation reaching a total of 102,572 people from 21 countries. The Hub will share insights from this dataset at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024 in Rome and at the Hub-led satellite event titled 'Presenting Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance' for the UN Decade for Ocean Science Conference in April 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. The Hub-led satellite event will consist of a roundtable covering Knowledge Integration work, a live performance of an excerpt from the Umkosi Wenala theatre play, and a dialogue forum lead by Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Emma Mckinley from Cardiff's Marine Social Science Network. The engagement at the international level is expected to further co-develop the Hub research and policy contributions on how to make marine protection more inclusive, just and support multi-species flourishing (human and more-than-human alike). Hub researchers Dylan McGarry and Elisa Morgera have been invited to write a chapter on these international-level findings in 2024 for a book titled 'Ways of World Knowing: Local Knowledge of Coastal Communities for a Just Ocean Governance' to be published by Oxford University Press. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researc... |
| Title | A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea |
| Description | Despite its remoteness, human activity has impacted the deep sea and changes to the structure and function of deep-sea ecosystems are already noticeable. In terrestrial and shallow water marine environments, demonstrating how ecosystems support human well-being has been instrumental in setting policy and management objectives for sustainable resource use. Foundational to this approach is a framework of ecosystem service (ES) classification and a synthesis of the knowledge base, which can then be used to structure decision-support tools such as ecosystem accounts or Environmental Impact Assessments. At present, no such framework exists for the deep sea. This ecosystem services framework is combined with already published frameworks (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Common International Classification of Ecosystem Service and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) and integrates deep-sea ecological knowledge that has been neglected. This can support the integration of considerations related to the need to conserve deep-sea ecosystems and the potential implications for human well-being of the potential loss or degradation of the services/benefits provided by these ecosystems in decision-making at the national and international levels. An article on the Ecosystem Services Framework led by Hub early-career researcher, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) and co-authored by other Hub researchers including Sian Rees, Kirsty A. McQuaid, Holly J. Niner, Kerry L. Howell (University of Plymouth UK) and Kerry J. Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa) & Amanda T. Lombard (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) was published in 2023 in Frontiers in Marine Science (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230). Hub researchers also collaborated in co-producing science-legal inter-disciplinary journal articles on the ocean-climate nexus for a Hub-led special issue of The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law in 2023 (The articles are available at: https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p411_2.xml?language=en; and https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml?language=en). Giulia La Bianca has used this method to predict the distribution of deep-sea ecosystems and then translated their distributions to ecosystem services maps at fine scale resolution (200 x 200 m). The ecosystem services maps are not published yet. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This framework has significant implications for deep-sea management, conservation and policy, as it provides an ecosystem services-based tool that can be used in any deep-sea ecosystems management across the planet, and it also shows how critical these data gaps are for today's decisions and how seriously they should be considered in decision-making processes. The framework and the ecosystem services maps generated from this will provide significant inputs on how to manage and monitor biodiversity for deep-sea ecosystems. The development of this framework has also contributed to the success of Hub's deep-sea research endorsement by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO as a Decade Action. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). For detailed information, read also collaboration and partnership entry titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate collaboration and partnership entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). The legal and governance relevance of these methods has also been reflected in integrated in the Hub's written submissions to three international tribunals that have been asked to clarify States' obligations on climate change in 2023-2024: the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea; the International Court of Justice; and the Inter-American Court for Human Rights. For more information read the following publications: Lancaster, AM. (2024). "Contributing to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights in Clarifying State Obligations at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-inter-american-court-on-human-rights-in-clarifying-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Morgera E, Lennan M, Lancaster AMSN, Longo A, Ntona M and Webster E. (2024). "Legal Note: The request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea's opinion on State obligations at the ocean-climate nexus. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ For detailed information please see collaboration and partnership entry titled "Influencing international courts on the ocean-climate nexus." |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 |
| Title | Arts-based participatory methods |
| Description | Hub early-career researchers based at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, Dr Nina Rivers and Mia Strands, have piloted the use of arts-based participatory approaches to (1) document knowledge, stories, and lived experience of Indigenous peoples and local communities and (2) identify culturally significant areas in marine and coastal environment. They have then adapted arts-based participatory methods (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTzCTnQNoD4&t=3122s) to suit the South African context by contextualising these methods in the form of storytelling and photography that researchers co-developed with indigenous and local community members of Algoa Bay as co-researchers. Using arts-based participatory research, the Hub team of researchers in South Africa has also been looking at ways to identify culturally significant areas along the coastline. The objectives of identifying culturally significant areas are to: build understanding of current research on coastal and marine socio-cultural values in South Africa; evaluate synergies between research initiatives and potential for collaboration; and develop a framework for identifying, mapping and assessing marine socio-cultural values in South Africa and work towards a potential collaborative peer-reviewed paper. One of the art-based approaches that Dr Rivers and Strands piloted in their research is the use of photovoice. It is arts-based participatory research methodology where co-researchers (research participants) are the authors of their own work and use photos and voice recordings to document their cultural connections with the ocean and coast. As part of the methods to map culturally significant areas in Algoa Bay, Dr Nina Rivers and Mia Strand have asked co-researchers, including local Xhoi and San communities that they work with, to mark places on a map of Algoa Bay and its coastline that are culturally significant to them. Out of this ,they identified different categories of culturally significant areas. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The development of arts-based participatory methods has led to the collaboration between Hub researchers based at Nelson Mandela University and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). SANBI had been working towards a national framework for identifying and mapping Culturally Significant Areas (CSAs) in the marine and coastal environment of South Africa. Hub researchers based at Nelson Mandela University developed methodologies to identify and map CSAs in the marine and coastal environment of Algoa Bay to support the development of South Africa national framework for mapping CSAs. The co-researchers, that include Indigenous Peoples and local community members, enjoyed it and the overall product (a multi-media photo exhibition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0) was something different for not only policy makers and coastal managers to engage with, but also for civil society and coastal users in Algoa Bay. The co-researchers and coastal managers contributed to the development of a policy brief and an academic paper: Rivers, N., Strand, M., Fernandes, M., Metuge, D., Lemahieu, A., Nonyane, C.L., Benkenstein, A. and Snow, B. (2023). "Pathways to integrate Indigenous and local knowledge in ocean governance processes: Lessons from the Algoa Bay Project, South Africa." Frontiers in Marine Science, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1084674. As the research outputs have been published, Dr Nina Rivers and Mia Strand have been able to reach a broader audience. The arts-based participatory methods piloted by Dr Rivers and Strand are assisting the local Xhoi and San community to declare a culturally significant area (ancient fish traps) as a national heritage site in the Algoa Bay. Mia Strand has also contributed to Hub-wide reflections on the role of these art-based approaches for the protection of the human rights of Indigenous peoples, small-scale fishers and children, and is collaborating in a number of inter-disciplinary research papers. For more information see the recording of the Ocean Frontiers Institute Webinar: People and the Ocean (https://www.ofi.ca/event/social-science-and-humanities-seminar-series-webinar-7, attended by 51-100 people), blogpost "How art can support the advancement of human rights and the ocean" (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-art-can-support-the-advancement-of-human-rights-and-the-ocean/), and blogpost "Sharing learnings on the role of arts in transdisciplinary ocean research" (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-learnings-on-the-role-of-arts-in-transdisciplinary-ocean-research/). Insights from the methods had been shared at the UN Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion event titled "Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action" led by the One Ocean Hub early career researchers Mia Strand and Dr David Wilson, University of Strathclyde, UK on 10 November 2022 (attended by 77 people). The event recording is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. In 2024, the One Ocean Hub will share knowledge about the methods at the Hub-led satellite event 'Presenting Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance' for the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain (April 2024). |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100 |
| Title | Collaborative anthropological research |
| Description | This method is developed by Hub early-career researcher, Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia) to explore ways of co-producing ethnographic and oral history research and knowledge together with youth members of the Topnaar community. The method involved trying to capacitate members of the Topnaar youth to conduct research in their own communities through firstly, interviews and documentation (photos and short video clips). This was done in a series of two workshops, discussing interview techniques and questions, data management, and documentation. Secondly, the method includes a series of semi-structured interviews and discussions together with the youth. The plan was to conduct co-research activities with the youth to shape practice-based learning. Unfortunately, due to the project being on hold for two months and having been initially delayed for six months, this only happened once. Current challenges are processing the research materials on a grass-roots level in a context shaped by marginalisation (access to laptops, internet, and also capacity is lacking). There is a need for a lot of support. Collaborative anthropological research is time-intensive. It requires building long-term relationships, trust and rapport within a community. In the Hub, we managed to lay the foundation for the method to still be further developed in the future, including through ongoing engagements, such as the current applied theatre project. More time is also required to further process the research materials into outputs that can benefit the community in the long-term. This includes for example, not only scientific publications, but also possibly heritage tourism, or a local social learning centre. These should be considered legacy work. For more information please see collaboration and partnership entry titled "Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia." The Topnaar people were the first inhabitants documented as settling in Walvis Bay along the central Namib coast. For several centuries, their cultural livelihoods depended heavily on ocean resources. During colonial rule they were forcibly displaced from their coastal dwelling places, with their access to coastal marine resources and fishing grounds restricted. They were forcibly displaced from their coastal dwelling places, with their access to coastal marine resources and fishing grounds restricted through legal and historical processes of exclusion during colonial rule. They continue to be excluded from decision-making on the ocean in contemporary Namibia. The community now primarily resides in 14 farm settlements along the lower valley of the !Khuiseb river and in coastal urban centres. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community. Our work has focused on facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders and right-holders in ocean governance processes; as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Despite their historical cultural and economic connections to the ocean, the Topnaar had only limited involvement in consultations on the blue economy prior to the Hub's support. This method is developed as part of Dr Olwage's research and engagement in a new project "Hurinin: Sea People of the Namibian Coast," led by Glenn Kasper, a Junior Councillor in the Topnaar Traditional Council. The Hurinin project will collect Topnaar elders' living memories of their people's intangible cultural heritage and connections to the ocean. Songs and dances specifically related to fishing and the ocean were once an integral part of Topnaar culture. Before fishing, they would recite a poem to the ocean and only then start to fish. After fishing, they would celebrate through dancing. Story collection and traditional dances worked hand in hand. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This method informs the research conducted by the Hub's team at the University of Namibia to shape policy and law that will acknowledge the cultural and human rights of the Topnaar people. Hub researchers at the University of Namibia are finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Office of the Ombudsman, that raises people's concerns relating to violations of human rights and protection of the environment. Once the MOU is in effect, UNAM research will be used to inform the Ombudsman's work. This method creates spaces of intergenerational learning where cultural memories can resurface and connections be rediscovered between their community and the ocean. As their stories travel, they may resonate with other Namibians, leading to yet more rediscoveries and connections. A short film 'Hurinin, People of the Sea' that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights has been produced and published in December 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A&t=2s). The film shows how the One Ocean Hub has fostered connections between the Topnaar community and national and international actors to ensure more inclusive decision-making on the ocean. The film also depicts how songs, poems and dances specifically related to fishing and the ocean were once an integral part of Topnaar culture and how these cultural expressions of their former ocean-based way of life survive in the memory of very few Topnaar elders. The One Ocean Hub has supported an arts-based research project led by Mr. Glenn Kasper, a Junior Councillor in the Topnaar Traditional Council, collecting Topnaar elders' living memories of their people's intangible cultural heritage and connections to the ocean. The film wasscreened at the UN Climate COP28's Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! on 10 December 2023 (attended by 12 people). This novel method will be shared at the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference in April 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, which will bring together decision-makers, civil society, the private sector, and different UN bodies. Insights and findings from the methods will be shared at the One Ocean Hub-led satellite event 'Presenting Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance' In 2024, the Hub has nominated Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee, as keynote speakers for the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Insights from the use of this method will be shared at the event if Kasper and Animas are selected by the UN World Oceans Day 20224 organizers. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/working-with-the-topnaar-to-protect-human-rights-and-revive-ocean-culture/ |
| Title | Collaborative scoring and data collection database for coastal fisheries monitoring |
| Description | The One Ocean Hub's research team at Rhodes University Ichthyology Department (South Africa) entered a partnership with the South African Shore Angling Association to co-develop a competitive angling scoring and data collection database for monitoring fish populations. The team at present has a ten-year database for the monitoring of the relative abundance and distribution of importance shore-based fishery species. The database is in the final stages of development, but the team has also been given access to the South African Shore Angling Association's competitive angling records from the 1970s. The team is about to submit a paper on the utility of competitive angler databases for fisheries monitoring. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The One Ocean Hub's research team at Rhodes University Ichthyology Department has simplified competition scoring for recreational anglers and developed a database for monitoring fish populations, allowing for the collation of essential information for fisheries managers. Careful management and monitoring of recreational fisheries is essential to sustain fisheries resources and prevent negative ecological impacts caused by overexploitation of fish populations and spread of non-native species. The spatial data from this dataset will be incorporated into marine protected areas planning processes in South Africa. |
| Title | DEEP Fund Community Art-Based Research Methodology |
| Description | This is an innovative research methodology that occupies the space between direct commissioning of an artwork from a community group or artistic collective and ethnographic observation of indigenous art practice. The DEEP Fund methodology is a collaborative working model that moves towards decolonising research funding. Decision making, from inception, to production, to outcomes, is led by grantees in Indigenous and local communities in collaboration with the research team. Counter to conventional commissioning processes, the DEEP Fund adopts a process whereby: a) only general thematic direction is given to participants, allowing maximal artistic freedom and giving space for local priorities to emerge; and b) the project focus is on documenting the production process and the meaning making in addition to the final outcome. Support in development is given to participants unfamiliar with standard application processes and a two-stage selection process allows projects to be worked up collaboratively developed between researchers and participants. A key aspect of the methodology is the rigorous assignment of ownership and copyright of the final product(s) to the originating artist(s) (again counter to conventional commissioning processes), with the researchers retaining a non-exclusive right to share outcomes for agreed purposes. This greatly enhances the value of the research outcomes in terms of capacity building and creative economies. Funding is awarded in two tranches, an initial 80% to allow communities/artists with no access to alternative funds or reserves to undertake the work immediately without expenditure/invoicing after completion - which is simply not possible for many of the groups with whom the DEEP Fund wish to work. A second tranche of 20% is paid on delivery of agreed outcomes (which may or may not be the final physical outcome of the project). Monthly reporting - which is intended to be manageable for projects rather than document/bureaucracy-heavy is used to ensure that the artwork development process is being captured in audio-visual formats. Research outputs from DEEP Fund projects are co-written with participants and detail both the project development process, project impact/outcomes and research outcomes. The DEEP Fund methodology also includes a potential third tranche of funding for impact activities identified throughout the project's development or as a consequence of the projects potential impact activities. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The DEEP Fund method has so far funded 10 community-led art/research projects. Each project has had multiple local impacts, e.g. in terms of capacity building, creative economies, as well as evidencing the value of Indigenous knowledge for understanding climate change and the impact of industrial fishing practices on local communities. A digital version of an exhibition of DEEP Fund works (held in Glasgow, in April 2023, https://www.gsa.ac.uk/life/gsa-events/events/u/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific/) was launched on World Ocean Day 2023 and remains available on the One Ocean Hub website (https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/) and the Hub-UNITAR One Ocean Learn knowledge-translation platform. Various examples from DEEP Fund art works were also shared by Prof Stuart Jeffrey (Glasgow School of Art, UK) at the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event on 5 November 2021 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI, attended by 34 people). The Pacific story and method were shared (chaired by the Vanuatu Minister for Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu) at the UN Climate COP27 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM, attended by 16 people). In 2024, insights from the Hub's DEEP Fund Community Art-Based Research Methodology will be shared at the Hub-led side-event titled 'Presenting Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance' for the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference (April 2024, Barcelona, Spain); and a presentation by Prof Stuart Jeffrey, Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art, UK) ) and Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) titled "Undercurrents: community art, indigenous cultural heritage and ocean governance" will be delivered at the World Biodiversity Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that will take place on 16-21 June 2024. The impacts from the DEEP Fund projects, as shared by the project leaders, will be reflected upon in a book titled Undercurrents: Art and ocean in Africa and the Pacific to be published by Sidestone Press. The book is scheduled for an autumn publication (September/October 2024). The artists and local community members are the co-authors of the book. For more information see also the Association of Critical Heritage Studies (2022): Session "Tensions in Intangible Indigenous Cultural Heritage Practices and Knowledge" https://www.achs2022santiago.com/ McDonald, L. 2021. 'Artfully Sustaining the Sea.' One Ocean Hub blog post. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund/ |
| Title | Future Scenarios Planning with Ghana - A pilot study using the Three Horizons Approach |
| Description | Hub early-career researcher Dr Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK) has led the development of a new method titled "Future Scenarios Planning with Ghana - A pilot study using the Three Horizons Approach" to co-develop future scenarios with the Ghana team in 2023. Dr Rivers' methods include transdisciplinary pilot process of co-developing transformative future visions for Ghana's ocean, coast and coastal communities. To help vision setting, three cross-cutting themes or threats in Ghana were identified: climate vulnerability, plastics pollution, and resource overuse. More threats exist but these three threats are selected because they overlap within a social-ecological framing of Hub's research in Ghana and speak to all of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Challenges. The aim of this method is to co-develop transformative future scenarios along with pathways to impact climate change, plastics pollution, and resource overuse that support more inclusive and integrated marine and coastal governance approaches. Dr Rivers uses the Three Horizons Approach, an accessible way to work across disciplines and with stakeholders. It provides a simple framework of three lines representing a system or pattern in the way things are done in the present (1st horizon), the future (3rd horizon) and pathways to get there (2nd horizon). The approach provides a simple way to work with complexity and much interest exists in how this approach has been applied in ocean governance in Ghana. The co-development process of this method was carried out in four months. This involved the co-organisation of three virtual workshops and one in-person workshop in Ghana involving Hub researchers based in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. A policy brief will be written out of this work in 2024. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This novel method will be shared at the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference in April 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, which will bring together decision-makers, civil society, private sector, and different UN bodies. Insights and findings from the methods will be shared at the One Ocean Hub-led satellite event 'Presenting Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance' and through a poster presentation by Dr Nina Rivers entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana' for the Barcelona Conference. In addition, the new methods have shaped the Hub's research and engagement as the Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdisciplinarity since the Hub's formal endorsement by the Decade Secretariat in October 2023. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/ |
| Title | Global online interest assessment using google trends to determine the extent of technological creep in recreational fisheries globally |
| Description | Due to reports from concerned members of the recreational fishing community and from social media threads we decided to investigate the potential effects and size of marine recreational drone fishing in South Africa. Due to the limit knowledge and active monitoring of marine recreational fisheries in South Africa we had to come up with new techniques to estimate both the extent of the issue in South Africa and globally. While there was considerable evidence from social media groups that the practice was widespread globally and in South Africa it was hard to quantify easily. We therefore turned to Google Trends (https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=%22drone%20fishing%22) to evaluate standardised interest into the topic globally. While Google Trends has been used for research purposes, to our knowledge this is first time that it has been used to detect, monitor and quantify interest into rapidly evolving fishing techniques. Luckily the techniques are easily reproducible and therefore it would be possible to revaluate interest into topic if management and policy changes to counter the effects of this new fishery are implemented. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This new method provides the ability to identify global trends remotely using openly available free data sources online. These methods were successfully used and published in the following paper: Winkler, A.C., Butler, E.C., Attwood, C.G., Mann, B.Q. and Potts, W.M., 2022. The emergence of marine recreational drone fishing: Regional trends and emerging concerns. Ambio, 51(3), pp.638-651.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-021-01578-y |
| URL | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13280-021-01578-y |
| Title | Habitat-services matrix and ecosystem services maps |
| Description | The development of habitat-services matrix and ecosystem services maps are derived from the research conducted by Hub early-career researcher Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK). Through her research, Giulia La Bianca developed a dataset that contains the most up-to-date evidence on the contribution of deep-sea benthic habitats to ecosystem services (nature's benefits to humans). This is provided as a habitat-service matrix. Drawing from the habitat-service matrix, she also produced ecosystem services maps for deep-sea habitats in the Northeast Atlantic and transferred them to novel geographical regions in the South Atlantic, within Ascension, St Helena, and Tristan marine protected areas. This is the first time that any ecosystem services maps have been produced for the South Atlantic and it is applicable to other geographical regions. Neither of these outputs have been made available to others. It is expected that this research will be published in a peer-review journal in 2025. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | These outputs have strong potential in the application of marine spatial planning and also of nature conservation management plans. Insights from Habitat-services matrix and ecosystem services maps will also be shared by the Hub research team at the University of Plymouth at the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI). |
| Title | Intuitive Interspecies Communication (IIC) to facilitate conservation management |
| Description | The Hub's research team at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, under the leadership of Dr Lynne Shannon is investigating the use of Intuitive Interspecies Communication as a means of capturing alternative knowledge sources to facilitate conservation management where easing human-animal species interactions are central to successful conservation initiatives that include all species. The research conducted by Dr Shannon and her team has just started. Therefore, the results are not yet published. The methods have been published by Barrett et al. in 2021 (https://researchers.usask.ca/mj-barrett/documents/speaking-with-other-animals.pdf), but the novelty of Dr Shannon team's approach it to explore the use of Intuitive Interspecies Communication in the ocean space. The team has partnered with Wynyter Worsthorne from AnimalTalk Africa. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Dr Lynne Shannon will deliver a presentation on using Intuitive Interspecies Communication to facilitate conservation management at the World Biodiversity Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in June 2024. Anticipated impacts from the method will include achieving a shared existence between human and animals; better understanding of animals' perspectives in ocean conservation; and deepening ways of communicating across species. |
| Title | Justice and small-scale fisheries map |
| Description | Researchers from the Hub's Coastal Justice Network have created the new online 'justice and small-scale fisheries map' on the Coastal Justice Network website. Derived from the Coastal Justice Network research the map visualised marine protected areas, ocean mining and small scale fisheries in relation to each other. This map has been used in public communication around ocean mining projects and in support of small-scale fishers struggles in South Africa. The map is particularly important in the light of efforts made by civil society organisations (e.g. Coastal Justice Network researchers from Rhodes University and University of Cape Town, the Legal Resources Centre, Natural Justice, Green Connection) to raise public awareness on the negative impact of an exploratory seismic survey on the fishing communities' food and economic security, as well as heritage and identity. Since 2021 until now the Coastal Justice Network and other civil society organisations have assisted small scale fishing communities on the West Coast and the East Coast of South Africa to prevent the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Searcher Seismic, and Shell from conducting seismic survey that could affected their livelihood and well-being. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The research driven network and the production of the map has opened discussions between the policy makers and small scale fishers, enabling a more indepth engagement between these stakeholders. The impact of the Coastal Justice Network research, engagement activities, and the map that they have produced have been recognised through publications of two press releases which were then cited in local media articles listed below. 1. 'Another fishing community in limbo as west coast seismic survey loom', 23 January 2022 in The Citizen. Available from https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/2984959/fishing-community-in-limbo-west-coast-seismic-survey/ 2.'Fishers and civic organisations take legal action against West Coast seismic surveying,' 21 January 2022 in Daily Maveric. Available from https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-01-21-fishers-and-civic-organisations-take-legal-action-against-west-coast-seismic-surveying/ 3. 'West Coast community prepares for a court battle over a new seismic survey', 19 January 2022 in Cape Town Etc. Available from https://www.capetownetc.com/news/west-coast-community-prepares-for-a-court-battle-over-a-new-seismic-survey/ These media articles have contributed in raising public awareness about blue economy developments in South Africa. The map together with other Hub's participatory research method such as Lalela Ulwandle (see separate method entry Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions) supported the work of small-scale fishers and civil society in three separate court cases in South Africa (https://bit.ly/3BNm1dX), leading to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://bit.ly/3IfGNGr). Insights from the development of this map was shared at a side-event titled "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" on 29 March 2023 for the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (27 attendees attendees), which the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation co-organised with the Hub in Rome, Italy, with policy makers and practitioners involved in sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.'Justice and small-scale fisheries' map was also shared at "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa" side-event on 9 June 2023 at the United Nations Plaza, New York for the UN World Oceans Day in New York that the Hub co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (attended by 26 attendees). |
| URL | https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/mapping/ |
| Title | Knowledge integration data collection tool |
| Description | This research tool is a simple yet useful table to collect and capture different knowledge across the Hub from the various work packages such as fisheries, law and gender, culture and heritage, climate vulnerability, and socio-economics to establish what we know, research gaps, what are potential synergies across work packages and countries. From this tool, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK and Nelson Mandela University, UK) ran workshops with Hub researchers in Namibia and Ghana to identify and co-develop high impact themes and legacy themes. This work has not been published yet. Dr Rivers will first be writing about this tool up as a report (expected April 2024) then will draft a paper (later in 2024). The themes captured by the tool are being used to inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub and the high-impact themes had informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Although the tool is not published yet, key findings collated and captured by using this tool will be shared by Dr Nina Rivers and the Hub's team during the One Ocean Hub-led satellite event 'Presenting Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance' and the poster presentation by Dr Nina Rivers entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana' at the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference in April 2024 in Barcelona. This tool is also among various methods and tools co-developed by the Hub in its capacity as a UN Decade Implementing Partneron 'Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance'. Therefore, the tool will further contribute to the UN Decade's approach for research co-development. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/ |
| Title | Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions |
| Description | Lalela uLwandle is a research-based theatre performance and public dialogue developed by a South African collective called Empatheatre, who are part of the One Ocean Hub. From the inception phase of the One Ocean Hub, Lalela uLwandle was initially used to co-design Hub research to co-identify community concerns to guide and inform Hub research and public engagement. Hub researchers conducted 7 months of social science research into the lives of citizens who live along the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast, including groups of small-scale fishers (SSF), traditional healers, civil society and marine science researchers. The data was gathered through oral histories, interviews, focus-group discussions, archival research and collection of mythologies. These findings fed into a scripted play where fictional characters portray diverse hopes and concerns at community level for the ocean. A "call and response" approach for iterative research co-design is inspired by African singing tradition: community representatives collaborate in reviewing various drafts of the play, confirming the accuracy of the research findings and making further suggestions. Such a process allows for ongoing ethical engagement between researchers and community representatives. helps practitioners and decision-makers to "see" which communities depend on the ocean and why, and therefore should have a voice in decisions, and to "hear" more effectively and empathically communities' views, needs, customary norms and knowledge about the ocean (2019). Throughout 2019-2021, Lalela uLwandle was performed across South Africa to support collaborative examination of research findings and data with diverse publics (other communities, researchers, civil society, and decision-makers). Through a 6-town tour, the live performances attracted 747 participants, approximately 56% were women. Media impact (print, online and broadcast) reached an approximate total of 1047164 people, broadening public dialogue around ocean decision making in the Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) coastline - an area targeted in blue economy developments and on the intersection of tangible and intangible heritage and economic development. Recurrent themes of discussion were the pressures on the ocean arising from South Africa's blue economy plan 'Operation Phakisa', as well as the national fisheries policy, and exclusion from decision-making. In 2022, Lalela uLwandle (Empatheatre) ran again for a series of key performances in Durban and the Eastern Cape, and for the first time in Cape Town. What was a new method was to perform at national strategic workshops in South Africa that brought together fishers from across the coastline, and civil society actors (including NGOs, researchers and lawyers). Bringing in these performances to a workshop space offered fishers the chance to express their hurt and pain from the apartheid past, and how they feel it is still shaping their present. The audience feedback from the 2022 Lalela ulwandle have been captured and added to the Lalela uLwandle feedback forms dataset. Whilst grounded in South African experiences, the inter-generational stories of the sea performed in Lalela uLwandle resonate strongly with an international audience. The Hub's Empatheatre team was invited to perform Lalela uLwandle at (1) the UN Climate COP27 in November 2022 in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, (2) the high-level closing event of the International Year of Fisheries and Aquaculture in March 2023 at the headquarters of FAO in Rome, (3) four side-events in NY for UN World Oceans Day on 7-9 June, which were co-organised with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance and (4) the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 8 June 2023. In 2024, the Hub will share knowledge about these methods at the UN Decade Ocean Conference in Barcelona (April 2024) and Small-Scale Fisheries Summit (July 2024). |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Lalela uLwandle provided workshop participants a chance to express their emotions and emotional responses to each other's stories. While other workshop activities focused on political awareness and strategies for resistance and engagement, making a space for the recognition of emotions and experiences is equally important for building solidarity between and among groups. The audience were involved in identifying implications of the research in relation to their lived experience after each performance, through a discussion facilitated by researchers - as opposed to usual public debates where both the speaker and the audience are already primed to take a stand for or against a position in a critical debate. The play supports: a) changing practitioners' and decision-makers' understandings of ocean-dependent communities' diverse needs, knowledge and legitimate claims (human rights). This is a significant change compared to current practices, whereby communities are "bundled up" as one uniform group focused on opposing development/conservation. Instead through empathy, practitioners' and decision-makers may come to appreciate the value of communities' experiences and knowledge for contributing to better decisions (contributing to a larger evidence base and fuller understanding of trade-offs at stake); and b) changing practitioners' and decision-makers' processes for public engagement / public consultation into a more imaginative and collaborative space for mutual learning and co-development of solutions. This is a significant change compared to current practices whereby public engagement focuses on pre-determined options presented in a non-accessible way. Even when communities may be invited to the decision-making table, they may not express themselves effectively if they can't do so in their own terns or if the counterpart is not fully aware of the multiple injustices communities have experienced over time and across sectors Lalela uLwandle also performed at the UN Climate COP27 Capacity Building Hub in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, on 14 November 2022 which was the first international performance for the play. There was good media coverage of Lalela uLwandle at COP27. • "Cop27 bulletin: Waiting for a sign from Bali," 16 November 2022. Available from https://www.climatechangenews.com/2022/11/16/cop27-bulletin-waiting-for-a-sign-from-bali/ • "Cycle power and gender rights: days eight and nine at Cop27 - in pictures," 15-16 November 2022, available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2022/nov/15/cycle-power-and-gender-rights-days-eight-and-nine-at-cop27-in-pictures • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/unfccc/52500936723/in/photostream • "One ocean: the power of storytelling at COP27," https://www.newton-gcrf.org/impact/stories-of-change/one-ocean-the-power-of-storytelling-at-cop27/ Building on the success of the performance at COP27, the Hub's Empatheatre team received invitations from FAO to perform at the Closing events of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) in Rome, and to develop a short live performance for the UN celebrations of World Oceans Day (2023) reaching a total of 102,572 people across 21 countries (https://bit.ly/3Mvfafa; https://bit.ly/3O83gcq). Hub researchers Dylan McGarry and Elisa Morgera have been invited to write a chapter on the findings arising from Lalela international performances for a book titled 'Ways of World Knowing: Local Knowledge of Coastal Communities for a Just Ocean Governance' to be published by Oxford University Press in late 2024/2025. Lalela uLwandle has been relied on as evidence of intangible cultural heritage in three separate court cases in South Africa (https://bit.ly/3BNm1dX), leading to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://bit.ly/3IfGNGr). The research insights have been analysed in a book chapter by Dr Dylan McGarry 'When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making' in the 2024 Routledge book titled 'Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities.' In 2024, the Hub will share knowledge and stories about "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions" at the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain (April 2024), the World Biodiversity Forum (Davos, Switzerland, June 2024), and Small-Scale Fisheries Summit (Rome, Italy, July 2024). |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20 |
| Title | Lexicometric content analysis of Pacific ocean policies |
| Description | The methodology has been developed by One Ocean Hub researcher, Pierre Mazzega (INSERM, France), the author of the mathematical models, in association with researchers from different disciplines. The approach used to analyse the policies is based on lexicometric content analysis, which measures the frequency of use of words within the studied texts. From these usage frequencies, mathematical and statistical indices can be derived which allow the interlinkages between texts to be interrogated and emergent perspectives to emerge. The specific methods used and described here have been designed and coded specifically for the particular requirements of the analysis rather than using proprietary lexicometric software. The application of the employed lexicometric analyses are novel for ocean policy and for the Pacific, but lexicometric analyses have been widely used in other studies including law and public policy (Boulet et al., 2019). The extraction of the information for the analysis from the corpus of 18 policy texts into a structured hierarchical classification involved the following 6 steps (a set of definitions, a list of themes and further technical detail on steps 2, 5, and 6 are all provided in the Supplementary Material here: https://bit.ly/3uMgAtl): • Step 1: convert documents from .PDF to.txt format and cleaning up the files; • Step 2: extract noun phrases (or "expressions") from the corpus of policy texts; • Step 3: edit and filter the list of all the distinct expressions extracted from the corpus. The list obtained forms the vocabulary of the corpus; • Step 4: identify the main themes of interest for the characterisation and analysis of the content of policies. Partition of all themes into domains; • Step 5: each word of each expression is put in its canonical form, its lemma, and each lemma is assigned to one and only one theme. The hierarchy lemmas < themes < domains form the taxonomy; • Step 6: for each policy, for each theme, counting the number of distinct lemmas assigned to the theme and found in the expressions of the text. The distribution of the number of lemmas by theme constitutes the profile of the policy. Estimation of the similarity between the policies taken by pairs. Step 1 is commonly performed in natural language processing (NLP) of textual corpora but it is not a fully automated process. It includes the homogenisation of texts (UTF08 encoding), the elimination of layout markers and references to figures, etc. For this reason, text tables have been omitted unless they presented useful information in textual form. Step 2 uses algorithms for the automatic extraction of noun phrases. However, this extraction is a relatively complex task which requires in particular the parsing of the text into sentences, then their parsing into tokens (most of them being words), followed by a syntactic analysis making it possible to identify the noun phrases through the grammatical function they occupy in each sentence. In order to ensure a good recall of this step, we use three free- or share-wares as detailed in the Supplementary Material. The lists of expressions produced by these three approaches are then merged into a single list, keeping both any nested expressions and the phrases into which they fit (e. g. "environmental impact assessment" is nested in "application of environmental impact assessment"). This resultant single list is then analysed (Step 3) to remove all expressions that have an indeterminate or too general meaning when they are detached from the sentences in which they were used. Reading them in a list, outside the textual context, does not allow to link them to a theme or policy sector (e. g. "annual growth rate," "potential earnings"). After this lexical filtering, more than 13,500 distinct expressions endowed with an autonomous meaning (independent of the context), form the vocabulary of the corpus of 18 policies. Each expression or noun phrase is made up of one or more words. A set of themes is then formed from the vocabulary. The approach chosen in this fourth step (Step 4) is based on the differentiated and complementary expertise of the co-authors to identify these themes rather than on a purely lexical-semantic analysis or a clustering statistic. In this way the identified themes are meaningful in the context of the making of policies and regulations related to the oceans and marine resources, socio-ecological changes and development, in particular in the specific context of the Pacific region. The 34 themes thus obtained were divided into 5 domains, "activities," "development," "environmental changes," "governance," and "law, policy, and politics". In Step 5 (see Supplementary Material for details), each word entering the composition of an expression of the vocabulary, except stop-words, is lemmatised. More than 3,800 of such lemmas were obtained and each lemma is then assigned to a theme. The hierarchy formed by the list of lemmas assigned to the 34 themes themselves partitioned into five domains. This constitutes the taxonomy of the corpus of policies analysed. By construction, an expression comprising several lemmas can be linked to more than one theme, for example, "advocacy for low carbon development" is related to the themes "law" [label: LAW], "environment and climate change" [ENCC] and "development" [DEVe] via the lemmas "advocacy," "carbon," and "development," respectively. Acronyms and frozen expressions are not lemmatized but directly related to a theme. The policy texts are taken one by one in Step 6, to search for each expression. For each policy, the number of distinct lemmas assigned to each theme is counted. The presentation of this result in the form of a histogram constitutes the profile of policy. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Hub researchers have contributed to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner in 2021. The Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages". This analysis used a lexicometric content analysis of regional ocean policies and identified opportunity for policy retirement, embedding of expanding sectors to reduce fragmentation and increased coherence of the Ocean with key regional development themes. This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, University Jean Jaurès, France), Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, University Aix-Marseille, France), Jeremy Hills (USP) and Payal Maharaj (USP). The work was carried out in collaboration with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner who are the Hub's project partners. See the Blue Pacific Ocean Report here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/ |
| URL | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944/full |
| Title | Making space for small-scale fishers: Community-based, participatory GIS linked mapping tool |
| Description | This is a participatory research method, embedded in our larger 'Community-based, participatory Marine Planning' project in St Helena Bay. This particular tool takes the form of a process of individual interviews with fishers using a geographic information system (GIS) referenced map to enable them to identify their traditional fishing spots. We worked with local fishers in the St Helena Bay area to facilitate a process of them mapping the areas where they fish, what they fish and how much they fish. We used large maps and encouraged fishers to draw on the maps where they fished for different species. This information from each fisher was then captured using GIS and a series of maps (species-specific) showing where the main fishing areas are were produced - so-called heat maps. A sample of 12 fishers undertook this mapping process, assisted by Hub researchers from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, who captured qualitative data shared by the fishers whilst he or she was mapping their fishing spots. This data was then aggregated to develop a heat map showing the common spots identified by the fishers. A more focused component of the research then follows, in which a dedicated sample of 6 skippers uses a map with the fisher identified fishing sites on it to identify their monthly fishing trips and record their catches. This process is currently underway but will enable the team to link fishing area and catch per unit of effort (CPUE) for this pilot sample. This method has been shared with other small-scale fishers as a tool to enable them to advocate for a small-scale fishing zone and to provide evidence to be used in the Marine Spatial Planning process. However, to date, the actual tool has not been replicated elsewhere. This tool was produced in 2023 and piloted from March to September 2023. It has not been published and has only been used by the University of Cape Town Environmental & Geographical Science team thus far. The methodology is being written up and will be submitted for publication in 2024. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This pilot has produced notable impacts: The fishers have shared their geo-referenced maps with other small-scale fishers at a regional workshop held on 27 March 2023 held in Velddrif, Western Cape Province. The workshop that took place on 28-29 March 2023 was attended by small-scale fishers from Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa (the workshop report is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t7gtofvfernq1mfkvdb3eckme3). The fishers from the region, representing more than 10 fishing communities all requested that they also be assisted in developing maps of this nature as they could see this would strengthen their position in negotiations and marine spatial planning processes. The maps have been used as the basis of discussions with the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) team and the group of scientists currently developing the biodiversity maps which will serve as the basis for the marine spatial planning process in South Africa. The lead scientists have indicated the usefulness of these maps and the maps have contributed towards the adoption of an interim small-scale fisheries map used as a placeholder whilst a more accurate SSF map is developed. This is the first time that the small-scale fisheries sector has been represented on a map by the SANBI and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of South Africa (DFFE) for the purposes of marine spatial planning. The use of this interim map is regarded as an important step in addressing the marginalisation and discrimination experienced by the small-scale fishers in these planning processes to date. The methodology has been shared with other researchers and also fisheries and conservation research teams who are eager to include this data in the maps that South Africa is generating for the marine spatial planning process. The data and the maps belong to the fishers and they will decide what maps and what data to share with government. This method of gathering local data on fishing activities is of great interest to researchers who have been tasked with mapping priorities of different sectors for the marine spatial planning process in South Africa. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-alo... |
| Title | Methodologies for collecting microplastics that is relatively inexpensive |
| Description | Methodologies for the collection of plastics have been devised by a student in another project that involved One Ocean Hub researcher, Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (see Paradinas et al. (2021) A New Collection Tool-Kit to Sample Microplastics From the Marine Environment (Sediment, Seawater, and Biota) Using Citizen Science. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.657709). Under the One Ocean Hub these methodologies are being refined to be used in Ghana. Details about these methodologies are explained below. We developed a simple, cost-effective and practical tool-kit to collect microplastics from the coastal environment and engaged the public in scientific research. The tool-kit was designed to take into account the latest recommendations for sampling each environmental substrate, whilst being practical for citizen scientists to use. This research demonstrates that using a semi-structured to structured project with a defined sampling approach including the participation of the public with local knowledge can be an effective way to monitor microplastics in the marine environment along the Scottish coastline. This approach, can be adapted to other projects monitoring microplastics to increase the use of citizen science in projects, allowing more studies to take place, more samples to be collected, and a greater understanding of the occurrence and the potential impact of microplastics in the environment. Sampling kits were designed to be simple tool-kits, easily used by all volunteers. The tool-kit consisted of a pole-water sampler, glass jars (15 of 7 ml), plastic bottles (5 of 500 ml), sealable plastic bags, filter paper already placed in Petri dishes, aluminum foil, deionised water (1l), electrical tape, water-resistant pencil, ice blocks (3) and a cool box (Figure 2). The water-sampler, bottles, bags and jars were rinsed and cleaned with deionised water and 70% ethanol prior to being sealed. The filter papers and Petri dishes were examined using a stereomicroscope 37.5× magnification prior to sealing with electrical tape to ensure no contamination. Bottles, bags and jars were partially labeled to facilitate the work in the field by the volunteers. All materials were stored in an insulated cool-box immediately after collection and during transport of samples to the laboratory, which allowed safe transportation of materials. The cool-box provided thermal insulation for the samples, resulting in slower development of organic matter, as well as a convenient way to transfer materials to and from the site. The volunteers were asked to take a knife (Swiss army type knife) prior to going into the field, to be able to remove the mussels from their substrate. At all research locations, intertidal sediment (i.e., sand), coastal water and benthic organisms (i.e., M. edulis) were collected four times during the year (every 13 weeks) to investigate seasonal variability in microplastic abundances, polymer types and shapes. All the sites were sampled at the same time (e.g., over the same weekend) to avoid large weather and tidal disparities between locations. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | We are using a methodology for collecting microplastics that is relatively inexpensive and hence can be used by a developing country to undertake microplastic collection. From this methodology a new dataset is being developed by Hub researchers based at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), UK and the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. The dataset contains number of particles and the polymer type of these particles. It quantifies the level of micro/meso plastic found on water and sediment from four different mangrove regions in Ghana during the wet season. Anticipated impact rests on the availability of data for fisheries-human health research, with potential impacts on livelihoods. In addition, this knowledge will help inform future research needs on micro and nano plastics. Please see also a separate entry under database, dataset, and model section titled "The dataset on microplastics: Quantity and identity of plastics in mangroves and beaches." |
| URL | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.657709/full |
| Title | Methods for investigating coralporosis in coral skeletons |
| Description | Methods are adapted for ocean sciences from the field of osteoporosis. Ocean acidification is a threat to the net growth of tropical and deep-sea coral reefs, due to gradual changes in the balance between reef growth and loss processes. Here we go beyond identification of coral dissolution induced by ocean acidification and identify a mechanism that will lead to a loss of habitat in cold-water coral reef habitats on an ecosystem-scale. To quantify this, we present in situ and year-long laboratory evidence detailing the type of habitat shift that can be expected (in situ evidence), the mechanisms underlying this (in situ and laboratory evidence), and the timescale within which the process begins (laboratory evidence). Through application of engineering principals, we detail how increased porosity in structurally critical sections of coral framework will lead to crumbling of load-bearing material, and a potential collapse and loss of complexity of the larger habitat. Importantly, in situ evidence highlights that cold-water corals can survive beneath the aragonite saturation horizon, but in a fundamentally different way to what is currently considered a biogenic cold-water coral reef, with a loss of the majority of reef habitat. The shift from a habitat with high 3-dimensional complexity provided by both live and dead coral framework, to a habitat restricted primarily to live coral colonies with lower 3-dimensional complexity represents the main threat to cold-water coral reefs of the future and the biodiversity they support. Ocean acidification can cause ecosystem-scale habitat loss for the majority of cold-water coral reefs. There are few papers in press and in submission derived from the development of the methods (see https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00668/full and https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355093148_Multiscale_Mechanical_Consequences_of_Ocean_Acidification_for_Cold-Water_Corals). |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The new methods are being used in working towards modelling when reefs of the future will lose habitat. The new methods were presented at the UN Climate COP26 side-event "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation," the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone, 5 November 2021 in Glasgow, with a view to improving our understanding of climate impacts on cold-water corals and subsequent loss in ecosystem functioning and associated services humans rely on globally (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI). The Economist launched a film titled 'Climate change: what is ocean acidification?' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVWZyDz--30) on 2 February 2023 that reported on these new methods (from 6 minutes on). The film has been viewed 114,958 times. The methods also have the potential to identify critical cold-water coral habitat for restoration and in need of protection. From the use of these new methods, the Hub's research team at the University of Edinburgh have developed a new dataset "Physiological data, skeletal dissolution and water parameters of a long-term multiple stressor aquarium experiment with the cold-water coral Desmophyllum pertusum." The dataset was uploaded to PANGAEA, Data Publisher for Earth & Environmental Science, but is not published yet. |
| URL | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00668/full |
| Title | Methods for preparing thin sections of steenbras and kob otoliths for chronologies |
| Description | Hub researcher, Dr Margit Wilhelm (University of Namibia, Namibia), developed new methods in preparing thin sections of steenbras and kob otoliths to examine age and growth chronologies of fish. From the removal of the otolith in the field to the final mounting and photographing for analysis, Dr Wilhem and her research team have tested out the protocols for otolith removal, storage, embedding, slicing and mounting. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported at this stage, but it is expected that fish age determination laboratory and protocols established at UNAM will allow for the first independent sampling in Namibia resulting in chronologies and genetics for different target fish species that can lead to differentiated management for fish species. |
| Title | Methods for vulnerability assessment and identification of adaptation options for large scale fisheries (small pelagics and Namibian rock lobster fisheries) |
| Description | One Ocean Hub researchers at Rhodes University led by Profesor Kevern L. Cochrane, Professor Warren Potts and Professor Warwick Sauer have developed a tool to measure vulnerability of fisheries to climate change. The tool developed in assessing vulnerability and identifying adaptation options is consistent with the standard vulnerability assessment (VA) framework applied by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In accordance with that framework, vulnerability is split into two components, ecological vulnerability and social and economic vulnerability (e.g. Marshall et al., 2009). In addition, for the purposes of this project a third component is also included, referred to as National Economy and Governance. The new tool is new and novel because it takes into account social and economic vulnerability data. In contrast to the availability of reliable information on the impacts of climate change on the ecology of Benguela ecosystem and ecological vulnerabilities, there has been little work done, and hence there is only limited information, on the social and economic vulnerabilities of the fisheries of the Benguela countries. Any such information that is available will be examined and used where appropriate but the primary method for this component will be to collect information through consultation with stakeholders, particularly those stakeholders who are directly dependent on the fisheries for their livelihoods, as well as the responsible government agencies. National workshops will be held in each country as a primary tool for consultation but follow-up consultations will also be held with specific stakeholders as required. This will include visits to processing factories to consult directly with factory workers and fishing crews. In accordance with the standard IPCC practice, social and economic vulnerability is determined as the combination of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. These three indicators are defined as (Sowman et al. 2018): • Sensitivity: the degree to which a system is affected, either adversely or beneficially, by climate related stimuli; • Exposure: the nature and degree to which a system is exposed to significant climatic variations; • Adaptive capacity: the ability of systems, institutions, humans, and other organisms to adjust to potential damage, to take advantage of opportunities, or to respond to consequences. For further information on this method please read here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/nkheb8n1mt7e37it6561rd3k2o |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The method allows communities, companies and managers to make informed decisions on fisheries in the future. The Food and Agriculture Organizationis is going to publish the method as part of its publication. Three research papers based on this method had been published: Cochrane, K., L., Eggers, J., & Sauer, WHH. (2020). A diagnosis of the status and effectiveness of marine fisheries management in South Africa based on two representative case studies. Marine Policy. 112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103774 Iitembu J.A., Kainge P., Sauer W.H.H. (2021) Climate Vulnerability and its Perceived Impact on the Namibian Rock Lobster Fishery. In: Leal Filho W., Luetz J., Ayal D. (eds) Handbook of Climate Change Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22759-3_265-1 Kelly Ortega Cisneros, Kevern L. Cochrane, Nina Rivers, Whh Sauer (2021) Assessing South Africa's Potential to Address Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in the Fisheries Sector (2021) Frontiers in Marine Science 8 Follow journal https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.652955 |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.652955 |
| Title | Multi-modal workshop synthesis and feedback |
| Description | For workshops with small-scale fishers, the Hub research team in Rhodes University, South Africa, has developed and refined innovative methods for synthesising highly detailed and specific discussions, so that there is a succinct and strategic summary of the discussions for small-scale fishers and their partners to be referred back to and use in other ocean governance spaces, as well as to provide feedback to small-scale fishers in their communities who are not present at the in-person workshops. This includes graphic/ illustrated summaries of stories, discussions or perspectives shared by small-scale fishers; as well as translated voice note summaries of the proceedings and key discussions and decisions (which are shared on the team's small-scale fishers' leaders Whatsapp group), along with the usual written reports. The research team has also developed useful methods for facilitating participatory engagement with the content of the discussions, for example through inviting voice note or other responses from small-scale fishers, to correct or add to the summaries we share, or using 'Polls' to vote on particular issues. All of this is done over very accessible platforms (usually WhatsApp) which makes it very accessible. The data and airtime the research team provides out of the One Ocean Hub funding also makes this possible. These different methods reinforce one another and ensure that people with a range of literacy levels, languages and experience are able to learn from and contribute to the discussions. It also contributes to solidarity building and organising efforts amongst small-scale fishers from different regions and communities, because it becomes more possible to develop a shared set of priorities and strategies when people are able to build a shared picture of small-scale fishers' experiences and struggles. The research team is working on a paper about this, to be published in 2024. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The methods that Hub researchers in South Africa used have facilitated organisation building and unity among small-scale fishers around key issues affecting small-scale fishers. The methods enable the resolution of contesting views and coordinate action among small-scale fishers' organisations. Aspects of how this network works has been published by early-career researcher Taryn Pereira Kaplan and further publication is forthcoming in the form of a peer-reviewed academic paper and case study report for the One Ocean Hub in 2024 (https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502). Notable impacts were demonstrated through (1) collective response by small-scale fishers in giving input into consultations around oil and gas in three separate court cases in South Africa (https://bit.ly/3BNm1dX), leading to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://bit.ly/3IfGNGr and (2) addressing challenges in putting the small-scale fishers' right to fish for squid in practice in 2020-2022 particularly among the sixteen of the Eastern Cape small-scale fishers cooperatives (https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/). |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/ |
| Title | Multidisciplinary approach to capacity development in offshore research cruises |
| Description | The One Ocean Hub's Capacity Development Cruise conducted in February 2023 aimed to build the offshore sampling capacity of emerging researchers from Southern Africa and develop the skills, relationships and multiple knowledge types to support developing ocean economies. The research cruise was designed by young researcher to meet their needs and incorporated multiple disciplines in marine science to simultaneously collect complementing datasets to accomplish objectives across the fields of taxonomy, phylogeny, habitat, ecology, impacts and benefits from biodiversity. The information is supporting marine spatial planning for seafloor and pelagic habitats in the Eastern Cape. The cruise brought 10 emerging researchers together from five institutions, supported by three established scientists, building multi-disciplinary research relationships locally, using locally developed equipment aboard a local vessel and fostering a strong human capital and transformation agenda. The research cruise plan was co-developed for and by emerging researchers and led by an emerging researchers. The team was based in East London, South Africa but data was also collected during transit between Port Alfred and the East London Harbour. The Research Vessel Observer, a 15m cat with twin Hamilton jet engines was used to conduct offshore research. Sampling covered the offshore area between Port Alfred and Kei mouth. Of the 17 days of the expedition, 12 days were spent at sea. A total of 29 ROV stations (OOH001-OOH029), totalling more than 14 hours were completed in the 43 m to 230 m depth range. Of these, most were biodiversity surveys to support ecosystem description and mapping, but four dives were dedicated to collections for eDNA, taxonomic, genetic and biodiscovery research. Ten landers were deployed in the 300 - 1000m depth range. CTD transects were conducted to collect oceanographic data and sediment samples were collected to provide grain size data. Biodiversity surveys were complemented with dredges to sample marine invertebrates from the seabed. Evening sessions provided knowledge sharing on data processing and curation, progress in ecosystem classification and patterns in benthic assemblages, fish research and molecular science and ecology. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | A total of 45 specimens were collected for biodiscovery and barcoding to support integrated taxonomic research. The cruise thus supported the SeaMap project funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Foundational Biodiversity Programme and built capacity within two projects funded by the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme, Deep Connections and Agulhas Bank Connections. Eighteen Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) casts were strategically deployed on the East London shelf to resurvey established monitoring CTD lines and to understand the oceanography of the submarine canyon systems. Nine sediment samples were collected by cone dredge between 80-90 m deep with one opportunistically collected from one of the landers legs. This survey extended depth capabilities by deploying deep sea landers fitted with Stereo-Baited Remote Underwater Video. The landers were deployed at ten stations between 230-1035 m for the first time in a high current environment on the East London slope. Building on previous efforts, four sponges were collected for natural product chemistry research at the Dorrington lab at Rhodes University. Many stations were to support MSc and PhD students including Sinothando Shibe at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Mari-Lise Franken and Caroline Sejeng at the University of Cape Town and Jody Oliver, a molecular PHD student from Rhodes University. All these students will benefit from the data collected. The first observations and collection of the cf. Enallopsammia cold water corals from the Gxulu Canyon will also support species distribution modelling for this taxon for which current capacity was under development through the team conducting research on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME). Interesting observations included deep observations of the south coast rock lobster Palinurus gilchristi at 230 m, dense seapen aggregations inside the Amathole Offshore marine protected area and diverse sponge dominated reefs along the submerged paleo-shoreline. Two dredges were conducted to collect specimens for SeaMap barcoding efforts. Targeted water and six sponge samples were collected to support cutting edge molecular research for Jody Oliver's PhD. The observations from this cruise will support the developing reference image library that will be useful for future work analysing seabed imagery and can support future technological innovation such as the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Excellent imagery and video were collected by ROV and lander to support science engagement and communication work. Emerging science communicator Caiti Allison led the social media campaign for this research cruise. The research team utilised bad weather days to further transdisciplinary areas of work including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas and the identification of culturally important marine species. We took opportunity to visit outlets for imithi (traditional medicine), interact with traditional healers to understand the use of marine product in traditional medicine and ritual and to document indigenous knowledge in the region. This method is made available in a cruise report and has been shared in: - The African network of deep water researchers and at the marine regions forum in Tanzania. The Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers We have seen increased capacity among students and researchers and increased research interest. Chief scientist, Luther Adams is now registered for a PhD that will apply machine learning in analysis of ROV and lander or remote camera footage. His leadership of the cruise was a key factor in supporting his success in obtaining a highly competitive bursary for his PhD studies. Ms Shibe has graduated with an MSC in marine science and Ms Oliver is completing her PHD but has secured a three-year post as a lab technician at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/ |
| Title | Participatory rural appraisal methods |
| Description | Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) methods have been piloted by Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha (University of Cape Town, South Africa) in her research on critical blue economy in Kosi Bay and Richards Bay, South Africa. These are the two case studies areas of Dr Mbatha research as part of the One Ocean Hub. The PRA consists of a suite of data collection techniques that are useful when data collection is conducted in marginalised contexts. The techniques involved include timelines, Venn diagrams, participatory mapping as well as oral history interviews collected in focus groups and with individuals. The use of these methods in Dr Mbatha research has started before she joined the One Ocean Hub. With funding from the Hub, Dr Mbatha has continued to use the methods in Kosi Bay and Richards Bay. Findings from Dr Mbatha's research in Kosi Bay informed her current research with the Empatheatre team within iSimangaliso UNESCO site. Together, with the Empatheatre team, Dr Mbatha ran a series of workshops in the Mbazwana area in iSimangaliso with youth and elderly Indigenous knowledge holders. In the workshops the research team collected data through focus groups, storytelling, participatory mapping - all of which are inspired by PRA methods. Dr Mbatha also shared her research findings with the Empatheatre team which, in triangulation with the data from the workshops, informed the development of Umkhosi Wenala play. The play, titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance") aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions (https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/). |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The use of participatory rural appraisal methods that has informed the development of the Empatheatre's new play "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance") were shared at the closing events of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (27 attendees attendees), which the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation co-organised with the Hub on 27-31 March 2023 in Rome, Italy, with policy makers and practitioners involved in sustainable fisheries and marine conservation. The methods were also shared across the Hub's four side-events for the UN World Oceans Day in New York that were co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea on 7-9 June 2023 (attended by 111 attendees). The One Ocean Hub team will also share insights from the use of the methods at the Hub-led satellite event 'Presenting Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance' for the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference in April 2024 in Barcelona, Spani. The Hub-led satellite event will include a live performance of an excerpt from the Umkosi Wenala theatre play. Dr Mbatha will further share knowledge and experience in using participatory rural appraisal methods at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in Rome in July 2024 with policy makers, civil society and small-scale fishers. The engagement at the international level is expected to further co-develop the Hub research and policy contributions on how to make marine protection more inclusive, just and support multi-species flourishing (human and more-than-human alike). |
| Title | Photovoice to represent children's views about fisheries |
| Description | This method enables the use of pictures to represent children's views about fisheries. These include the view of (1) children engaged in fishing whilst in school, (2) children engaged in fishing without being in school, and (3) children in school that do not engage in fishing. Each category of children is made to provide a pictorial view of their future as fishermen. Children are made to explain what they have pictured down. Such a method is used for data collection is used by a graduate student at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana in his thesis on "Children and Indigenous Knowledge Systems" supervised by Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro and Dr John Ansah (University of Cape Coast). |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This research method provides a better explanation to the reality of children's perspective on fisheries than the traditional qualitative methods of data collection. Findings from the use of this method has been shared by Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro as part of the following Hub's written evidence submissions to: • the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on "the impacts of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights," January 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/accounting-for-the-impacts-of-loss-and-damage-from-the-adverse-effects-of-climate-change-on-human-rights/); • the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on "the adverse impact of climate change on the right to food," December 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/ensuring-sufficient-attention-to-the-link-between-the-ocean-climate-change-and-the-right-to-food/) that has been included in the UN Secretary-General's Report on "Adverse impact of climate change on the full realisation of the right to food" (A/HRC/53/47; https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc5347-adverse-impact-climate-change-full-realization-right-food); • the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment on Women, Girls, and the rights to a Healthy Environment (https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-womens-and-girls-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/); • the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on climate change impacts on the realization of the equal enjoyment of the right to education by every girl (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b1rrdlt4hlbs9m06v2vea8hq3m); and • the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development: Call for input for the 2024 report on the right to development of children and future generations (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pv9f3td0863d2rpupfjq4u4iae). |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-womens-and-girls-rights-to-a-healthy-environment |
| Title | Piloting recreation specialisation theory to the South African Marine Shore-Based Fishery (MSBF) |
| Description | Hub early-career researcher, Kyle Hewett (Doctoral Student at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) is piloting recreation specialisation theory to the South African Marine Shore-Based Fishery (MSBF) to identify angler heterogeneity. Although angler specialisation itself is not a new a tool, what is novel is piloting this method in the context of the South African MSBF. The crux of the specialisation theory argues that that outdoor recreational fishery participants can be placed on a continuum from general interest and low involvement to specialised interest and high involvement. Each level of specialisation is associated with distinctive behaviours and orientations, such as equipment preference, type of experience sought, desired setting for the activity, attitudes toward resource management, preferred social context, and vacation patterns (Bryan, 2020, pp.18-21. available here: bit.ly/3ZjR4HK). No publications have been produced from piloting recreation specialisation theory to the South Africa MSBF as the research is still at the data collection phase. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Findings generated from piloting recreation specialisation theory to the South African Marine Shore-Based Fishery will be used to aid in management of the fisheries in South Africa. It is expected that outputs produced from this method will be able to shape the recreational fishery in a well-managed and sustainable manner. |
| Title | Policy Text Mining Tool |
| Description | Hub researcher, Pierre Mazegga (Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France and the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance, University of Strathclyde, UK) developed 'Natural Language Processing Tool' for the representation and analysis (using mathematical graph theory) of policy and legal texts. In addition to the production of appropriate evidence from analysis of very large textual corpora (composed of billions of words), two additional objectives are pursued from this new tool: (a) to design an approach capable of highlighting idiosyncratic uses of terms from a restricted textual corpus; (b) identify a first essential property of policy or legal texts that an analysis in context of the linguistic material can reveal, and outline the consequences on the normative level. On a technical level, the purpose of using conceptual graphs is generally to build up a knowledge base that can then be queried (to answer questions or produce new knowledge) via machines. Our posture is different: the work of formalising legal proposals, sentences or articles via conceptual graphs creates the conditions for an interrogation in direct contact with the legal matter (data), on mechanisms, artifices and techniques-implicit or explicit, intentional or unconscious, known or hidden-used by "the legislator" in the production of normative texts. Even if the theory of conceptual graphs cannot claim the universality of its capacities to transcribe any text into natural language and therefore presents limits of applicability, the formalisation exercise offers the opportunity to explain a part of the latent cognitive options which govern the choice of expressions in natural language and their conceptual underpinning. In this process, the nature of these revealed choices makes it possible to question the clarity and distinction of the concepts used and, admittedly a more adventurous step, to try to understand the consequences of these choices. Pierre's publications related to the policy mining text tool include: 1. Mazegga P. (2021). "Conceptual Graphs and Terminological Idiosyncrasy in UNCLOS and CBD." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2021.664621 and 2; and Hills JM., Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN., Mazzega P. (2021). "Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The text mining tool developed by Pierre Mazegga contributed to the development and finalisation of Fiji's first National Ocean Policy in 2021, which was endorsed by the Cabinet and is a significant milestone for Fiji's sustainable ocean governance. The mining tool developed was also used by the Hub research team in the South Pacific to undertake textual content and network analysis on the existing ocean-related development policies of Fiji and identified their linkages with Fiji's National Development Plan. See the letter of acknowledgment from the Fiji's Ministry of Economy here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9. The text mining tool was presented by Dr Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) at the MARE Conference panel 'Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations' in June 2020; by Dr Jeremy Hills, Dr Bernadette Snow (at the time with University of Strathclyde, UK), and Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles) at the UN Climate COP26 side-event 'The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation,' Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone on 5 November 2021 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI); and by Dr Bernadette Snow at the UN Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion live event on 'SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' on 1 November 2021 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA). |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 |
| Title | Principles and Practices for Solidarity in Transdisciplinary Research between academic researchers and community based environmental justice activists |
| Description | These practices and principles have been co-developed within the Coastal Justice Network's engagements between scholar activists and small-scale fishers and other coastal justice activists. They are principles for relationships based on reflexive, situated solidarity, in which academic research is orientated towards being accessible, useful and responsive to the justice struggles of community-based activists and the social movements they are part of. The Coastal Justice Network (CJN) brings together SSF leaders from 13 cooperatives and other fisher organisations with researchers, local civil society organisations and legal professionals, to build and mobilize capacity of SSFs to engage in ocean governance processes that affect their lives and livelihoods, by: 1. Building support networks of and for SSFs to coordinate nation-wide and strategise as a sector; 2. Providing training, access to knowledge and practical resources, and networking; 3. Supporting fishers and other civil society organisations in responding to ongoing developments and issues as they arise;. 4. Working with civil society supporting ocean-dependent communities to change practices to promote community empowerment and leadership; and 5. Working with national and local public authorities to change behaviours and practices to enhance the inclusiveness of public participation, consultation and co-management. The Network has created a structure to understand the needs of under-resourced coastal peoples addressing multiple, inter-connected, threats to their wellbeing. It then makes available legal, scientific, capacity-building, financial and logistic resources to communities, so that they can approach these issues in a strategic and coordinated way. Hub early-career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) is writing up four peer-reviewed articles, as part of her PhD thesis. One of the peer-reviewed journal articles led by Taryn Pereira titled "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice" was published in Ecosystems & Peoples in 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502). |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Principles and practices of solidarity in transdiciplinary research have enabled a core group of One Ocean Hub researchers to contribute towards efforts of community-based activists to stand up to un-democratic ocean governance related to deep-sea oil and gas exploration, coastal and seabed mining, human rights violations in marine protected areas, fisheries resource management, and other aspects of ocean governance in South Africa. A series of successful judicial challenges have been brought before national courts as a result of this approach, which have been praised by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment as good practice of environmental human rights defenders. For further explanation on the Hub researchers' contributions to stand up to un-democratic practices of ocean governance, read a blogpost written by Taryn Pereira titled 'The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment' Judge rules in the Shell Seismic Survey case in October 2022 at: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/. Insights from the method have been shared with 103,321 environmental justice and human rights practitioners, government officials, researchers and students around the world through: - presentations by Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) for the Inaugural Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) - UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. • presentations by Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, South Africa) and Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira Kaplan (Rhodes University, South Africa) for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 o "Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders," 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Taryn Pereira's presentation for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 titled "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Taryn Pereira's presentation for the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by 101 attendees. • the Hub-led event for the UN World Ocean Week 2022 titled "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o&t=768s, 52 attendees). • the closing events of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, which the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation co-organised with the Hub on 27-31 March 2023 in Rome, Italy (469 attendees); • a series of four side-events for the UN World Oceans Day 2023 co-organised with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance on 7-9 June 2024 at the UN Plaza, New York (attended by 111 people) and the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters (350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees) in New York on 7 June 2023 with policy makers and practitioners involved in sustainable fisheries and marine conservation; and • Taryn Pereira's presentation at the the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes titled, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain). The Hub will share insights from "Principles and Practices for Solidarity in Transdisciplinary Research between academic researchers and community based environmental justice activists" at the Hub-led satellite event 'Presenting Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance' for the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference (April 2024, Barcelona, Spain) and the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024 in Rome. |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 |
| Title | Questionnaire: Social survey on Namibian anglers |
| Description | The questionnaire was prepared by a group of One Ocean Hub researchers based at the University of Namibia, Namibia, and Rhodes University, South Africa, who set to understand and evaluate angler compliance, behaviour, attitudes, and perceptions towards regulations set by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. The output of the survey is in preparation for submission as a journal article. Hub researcher, Dr Margit Wilhelm (University of Namibia), is leading the development of dataset derived from the social survey on Namibian anglers. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | A substantial amount of information was collected that can be used for improving fisheries governance in Namibia. |
| Title | SMarTaR-ID Web Portal and South Atlantic species catalogue |
| Description | SMarTaR-ID Web Portal and South Atlantic species catalogue serve as a tool from which to develop standards in image analysis. The use of image-based data in marine ecology is now routine. However, there are challenges in the identification of marine animals from imagery, and the taxonomic level it is possible to achieve in the field. To support field identification of marine animals, many different organisations have developed their own in-house reference image libraries. Some have published their libraries as websites, apps, or papers. These reference libraries have proved a valuable source of information in supporting interpretation of image-based data. However, there are currently no standards around the identification of taxa from imagery. The aim of SMarTaR-ID is to provide a reference standard to which image-based data can be annotated. Our intention is to make it easier to combine image-based datasets for analysis by ensuring some commonality in how animal morphotypes are named (e.g. my anemone 1 is the same morphology as your anemone 1). In support of existing efforts, we have tried to align as far as possible with the CATAMI classification in our morphological filter. Standardisation is very important to marine biodiversity survey and monitoring. In addition, SMarTaR-ID aims to provide the tools to support training of researchers in the field-based identification of marine animals. Taxonomists within the SMarTaR-ID family have developed field keys to some taxa and we hope to develop more over time. We have also begun the development of field-based multi-access keys to marine animals in the form of filters on the database. This is a first step and we recognise there is much more to be done. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This tool supports the aims of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, particularly capacity development, ocean literacy and technology transfer for implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life below water. The production of this novel tool paved the way for the formal endorsement of the One Ocean Hub research on deep-sea ecosystems as a new Decade Action on 3 June 2022 from the UN Decade of Ocean Science. The significance of this tool has been recognised internationally through an invited presentation at the International Seabed Authority in September 2020 (https://isa.org.jm/files/files/documents/WS%20Report_Taxonomic%20Standardization.pdf) and a publication (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218904) in 2019. https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference,Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI). |
| URL | https://smartar-id.app/ |
| Title | St Helena Hidden Harvest Survey Tool |
| Description | St Helena Hidden Harvest Survey Tool was developed by Hub researchers at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, based on the hidden harvest surveys by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This instrument seeks to quantify the contribution of undocumented small-scale fisheries to the local economy and livelihood of St Helena Bay, South Africa. By doing so, this new tool aids the efforts in protecting small-scale fishers' livelihoods from increasing threats arising from Blue Economy initiatives. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Surveys were conducted in the second half of 2022. The Hub research team at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, is still processing the data, but it has yielded incredibly important preliminary data quantifying the contribution of small-scale fisheries. This has been fed into national legal and policy process in South Africa and the development of the FAO SSF-LEX that was published in January 2023. The impact of the survey to the legal and policy process in South Africa is reported under the section New Model, Database and Dataset titled 'St Helena Bay (South Africa) Small-scale Fisheries Database'. SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements. The research, tool and methods co-developed by the Hub researchers at the University of Cape Town, South Africa with small-scale fishers in St Helena Bay has led to the co-production of Community-based, participatory GIS linked mapping tool in 2023-2024. This tool is reported under a separate entry titled "Making space for small-scale fishers: Community-based, participatory GIS linked mapping tool." |
| Title | The 'Oceans for Life: a Coastal Community Blue Justice resource process' methodology and tools |
| Description | The One Ocean Hub research team in South Africa led by Dr Jackie Sunde and Professor Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town) is using and developing a methodology named the 'Oceans for Life: a Coastal Community Blue Justice resource process' that is relevant for a developing country context. It is a human rights-based, participatory research methodology that aims to simultaneously recognise local communities' ecological knowledge and build their advocacy capacities to ensure their rights are protected. It is a community- and human rights-based approach to assessing and transforming Blue Economy development initiatives into life-affirming processes that are equitable and sustainable. Hub researchers are in the process of applying and refining an "oceans for life" assessment tool and "oceans for life" action tool which they have developed over the past year. The tool has been applied in one of the University of Cape Town research team case study sites thus far. The purpose of this community-based tool is to provide an understanding of community vulnerability to ocean economy projects and ascertain the knowledge, skills and resources and actions needed to build resilience. This resource process includes two inter-linked components: 1. Oceans for Life Assessment Tool which is a dynamic, participatory, human- rights based assessment tool that enables coastal communities to assess Blue Economy developments from a human rights-based perspective to check whether the development complies with international and national human rights laws and policies and will contribute to sustaining their lives and that of the ocean upon which they depend; and 2. Oceans for life action tool, which equips coastal communities with the information and an array of resources that will assist them in ensuring that Blue Economy policies, developments and processes comply with relevant human rights and environmental legislation and strategies and activities to transform these development processes into actions that will contribute towards equitable and sustainable oceans and coastal life and livelihoods. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This is work in progress. The Hub research team has developed a draft Tool and Methodology for Assessing the impact of Blue Economy projects on small-scale fisheries in South Africa. The tool and methodology have been piloted in one fisheries site, with additional testing and refinement planned in 2024. The One Ocean Hub's "Oceans for Life" are a community-based assessment and action tool aimed at supporting coastal communities to assess the impacts of Blue Growth on their lives and livelihoods and to act in order to promote equitable, sustainable and socially just oceans. It is being developed by Hub researchers at the University of Cape Town's Department of Environmental and Geographical Science and One Ocean Hub Small-scale Fisheries research team through their partnership with coastal and small-scale fisher communities with whom it works in South Africa. Most notably, it is a human-rights based methodology. It is still in the piloting phase and has not been published. Hub researchers are noting that the methodology is having impacts within the communities with whom they are working, where the communities are demonstrating their awareness of their rights and the importance of combining their local ecological knowledge with marine science and spatial mapping tools in order to defend their rights and livelihoods. Building upon these method and tool, the Hub's research team at the University of Cape Town are developing a new tool to support small-scale fishers titled "Community-based, participatory GIS linked mapping tool." This new tool is reported under a separate "research tool and method: entry. The Hub will share insights about "The 'Oceans for Life: a Coastal Community Blue Justice resource process" methodology and tools at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024 in Rome. |
| Title | Transdisciplinary audit tool |
| Description | The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out a transformative vision which has yet to be realised for Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the ocean. Recognition of the "indivisibility" of the Goals and enhanced integration of ocean governance support this transformation, but require at least multidisciplinary, or probably transdisciplinary, approaches. For regions which are highly dependent on development finance, a powerful leverage point for a transdisciplinary transformation is in the design of development investments. The tool developed by Hub researchers Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Maharaj (University of South Pacific, Fiji) identifies design features of ocean development-financed projects involving substantial amounts of research in two Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Transdisciplinary approaches were closely aligned to what is established as Mode 2 research modalities which focus on participation and multi-knowledge systems, as opposed to Mode 1 which have a predominantly scientific basis. From the literature, an analytical indicator framework was developed which scored projects on their modes of research within four categories: People, Process, Policy and Product. This framework was applied to five development-financed projects, and permitted the balance of Mode 1 and Mode 2 to be assessed and significant differences between projects identified. The work surfaces project features which can be embedded in the design of ocean investments that promote transdisciplinary. The tool can analyse development projects to determine to assess the research and knowledge production mode of the project. Literature recognises mode 1 which is based around sectoral scientist approaches and mode 2 which is more context-driven, inclusive and multidisciplinary process. From literature indicators of mode 1 and 2 were devised under categories of People, Policy, Process and Product which reflected the different dimensions of the knowledge research process. This analytical frame was applied to a number of ocean-related development projects in the Pacific. The results demonstrated that the indicators captured the different approaches used in the projects. Transdisciplinary approaches are only feasible within mode 2 research modalities, thus, the indicators provide insight into how to design research in terms of People, Policy, Process and Product. These results provide insight into the project design required for allow transdisciplinary approaches to develop. With integrated and transdisciplinary outcomes being required to deliver the SDGs, as fully recognised by GCRF, this work is a significant step for designing appropriate interventions. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This tractable and practical recognition of transdisciplinarity has connotations to the UN Ocean Decade, in its ability to deliver on its transformation rhetoric. With capacity weaknesses and constrained financial resources in developing countries, and urgent ocean-related challenges especially in SIDS, moving to designed-in transdisciplinary and transformational outcomes remains a priority. This novel method serves as a pilot work to identify transdisciplinary design for ocean development projects - for potential use in other projects or the UN Decade of Ocean Science and Sustainable Development. In 2024, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa integrated this methods in a new knowledge-integration paper on transdisciplinarity. |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759 |
| Title | 2023 socioeconomic survey of the recreational angling sector in Namibia |
| Description | The Namibian coast is renowned for its excellent angling opportunities, particularly in the central and northern coastal regions. As popular as the recreational sector is and the livelihood opportunities it provides for coastal communities, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks, having a considerable impact on other users of the resource, including subsistence fishers who rely directly on the fish for their livelihoods. Most anglers will tell you "Daar is nie meer visse nie" or "There are no more fish to catch". Climate change is also threatening fish stocks. For example, central and northern Namibia are recognised as an ocean warming hotspot and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal top target fishery species such as kob. The dataset was developed in 2023 by the Hub team in Namibia against the background of these interlocking problems through a survey that was rolled out in 2023. The dataset includes data on the socio-demographic features of anglers at the coast, as well as their economic expenditures related to participating in angling. Recreational fishing is more than just a hobby, but rather a lifestyle for anglers in Namibia. The survey and the dataset it produced also provide information on the economic contributions of foreign/tourist anglers during their fishing trips in Namibia and to better understand shore angler behaviour and opinions towards angling regulations. More information is available at: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/ |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The dataset was made available to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia in June 2023. It sheds new light on the economic contribution of the recreational angling sector and provides insights into appropriate changes in the licensing system for recreational fishers in Namibia. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-r... |
| Title | A framework on children's meaningful participation in ocean governance |
| Description | Hub early-career researchers Dr Sophie Shields & Dr Andrea Longo (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) and Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-developed a framework for facilitating children's participation in international processes at the ocean-climate nexus. Children are still largely invisible in decision-making processes on the marine environment, even if they are increasingly recognised as environmental human rights defenders in decision-making processes on climate action. States' international obligations in relation to children's human rights and the protection of the marine environment can and should be read together to offer a starting point to put children's right to be heard at the heart of international decision-making at the ocean-climate nexus. Children's right to be heard extends to all aspects of their lives - including voicing their views, influencing decisions, accessing justice and remedies, and participating in international law-making and policy-making processes relevant to the marine environment. Building on well-established scholarship and practice on children's participation, Hub researchers from the legal and social sciences led by Sophie Shields suggest how to create a space for the meaningful inclusion of children in international decision-making at the ocean-climate nexus, which is fun, safe, inclusive, based on inter-generational learning and partnership-building, and more likely to lead to transformative decisions to the benefit of present and future generations. The proposed framework consists of four key components including: - Space: Children must be given safe, inclusive opportunities to form and express views about the ocean. - Voice: Careful consideration must be given to facilitation in order for children to express their views about the ocean. - Audience: Adult facilitators must listen and give due weight to the views of children on the ocean. - Influence: Children's views on ocean governance processes must be acted upon, as appropriate. This model for children's participation in international processes has been published in a peer-reviewed journal article: Shields S, Longo A, Strand M and Morgera E. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" 38(3) International Journal of Marine & Coastal Law, available from https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10140 and policy brief Shields S, Morgera E, Strand M & Longo A. (2023). "A framework for facilitating children's participation in international processes at the ocean-climate nexus," available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-a-framework-for-facilitating-childrens-participation-in-international-processes-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This framework was developed as part of the Hub's ongoing international collaboration and inputs into the development of the UN General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change that was published by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in August 2023. The General Comment No. 26 specifically incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the One Ocean Hub (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). See also our entry for global collaborations titled "RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN." The model has been presented to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) in 2023, in preparation for the UN Climate COP28, which adopted a historic decision to convene for the first time an expert dialogue on children and climate change in 2024. The Hub continues to advise UNICEF and other CERI partners on the preparations of the expert dialogue. In addition, and has been referred in several Hub submission to UN processes on children's human rights and child human rights defenders in 2023-204 (UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders; and the UN Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order on "youth participation in intergovernmental forums: challenges and opportunities."; UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development on the right to development of children and future generations). |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10140 |
| Title | A marine spatial plan for biodiversity and nature-based activities in Algoa Bay, South Africa |
| Description | Hub researchers at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, used systematic conservation planning tools to develop a marine spatial plan that includes the conservation and nature-based activities in the Algoa Bay, South Africa. The project built the first set of online data-bases, freely available on Algoa Bay project website (https://www.algoabayproject.com/). |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The marine spatial plan feeds into the final marine spatial plan of Algoa Bay that is being developed now, with co-funding from the Hub. This research was funded mostly by the South African government, and the Hub provided continuation funding.The marine spatial plan will benefit 12 partner organisation based in South Africa including South African Maritime Safety Authority; South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster; and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism; Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds; Sustainable Seas Trust; South African National Parks; Bayworld; CEN; National Research Foundation, South African Environmental Observation Network, and South African International Maritime Institute. For detailed information see collaboration and partnership entry titled "COLLABORATION IN DEVELOPING THE ALGOA MARINE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS TOOL (AlgoaMSAT)." |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109574 |
| Title | Age and growth data and chronologies of steenbras from northern and southern Namibia |
| Description | Hub researcher, Dr Margit Wilhelm (University of Namibia, Namibia) and her research team are developing a new dataset containing age and growth data and chronologies of steenbras from northern and southern Namibia. The dataset has not been completed yet. Some otoliths have been analysed, but there is still some data that needs to be collected. Age and growth data from this new dataset can be used in an updated stock assessment model. Data about chronology from the otoliths can be used for climate change and tipping point analyses. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported at this stage, but it is expected that fish age determination laboratory and protocols established at UNAM will allow for the first independent sampling in Namibia resulting in chronologies and genetics for different target fish species that can lead to differentiated management for fish species. The dataset is being developed by an Msc student at UNAM who will make the dataset available once the Masters thesis is done. The Hub's research team at UNAM led by Dr Margit Wilhem will publish the dataset as soon as possible after the Masters thesis is completed (expected May 2024). Building on this work, Dr Wilhem's research team is also developing a dataset of steenbras genetics from the west coast of Namibia. |
| Title | Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic |
| Description | Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic is a seafloor habitat classification model predicting the distribution of habitats across the South Atlantic, produced by clustering environmental variables using two different methods. In December 2022 Hub early-career researcher, Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) submitted a response and revised manuscript based on reviewers' comments to journal Progress in Oceanography. The manuscript was published in 2023, the model is now made available online, open-access (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016). |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The model has been compared with national-level mapping by co-authors in Uruguay and shows good performance for use in data-poor environments such as deep-water habitats and open ocean. This model has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience, and practices of the Hub deep-sea research, including insights from this model at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, co-organised in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI). |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016 |
| Title | Combined impact of global change factors on marine organisms model |
| Description | This model is developed by Hub researcher, Dr Emmanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast, Ghana). It is derived from microcosm experiments that Dr Acheampong conducted to investigate functional responses of marine plankton to cadmium (proxy for heavy metal pollution) and sea surface warming (proxy for global climate change) in Ghana. Four manuscripts related to the use of this model have been published between 2021 and 2023. These articles address impacts associated with climate change (https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-023-00967-7), overfishing (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106048), heavy metal pollution (https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-023-01009-y) and capacity needs for plankton research in developing tropical countries (https://doi.org/10.3390/w15244288). |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Anticipated impact is improved adaptation and mitigation measures in light of climate change and pollution. Four articles based on this model were published between 2021 and 2023. These include: (1) Townhill, B., Harrod, O., Painting, S. Acheampong, E. et al. "Climate change risk and adaptation for fisher communities in Ghana." Journal of Coastal Conservation 27, 45 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-023-00967-7 (2) Cook, R., Acheampong E., Aggrey-Fynn, J., Heath, M., "A fleet based surplus production model that accounts for increases in fishing power with application to two West African pelagic stocks." Fisheries Research, Volume 243 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106048 (3) Opoku, M., Koomson, A., Abubakar, F. Miyittah, M., Acheampong, E. "Cadmium exposure experiments on calanoid copepods reveal significant shortfall in water quality criteria for managing coastal marine ecosystems in West Africa." Journal of Coastal Conservation 28, 2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-023-01009-y (4) Adhiambo R, Mensah PK, Acheampong E. "Widespread Geographical Disparities in Phytoplankton Ecology Research in the Face of Climate Change: A Review." Water. 2023; 15(24):4288. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15244288 The Hub research team in Ghana, including Dr Acheampong, shared findings from Hub's fisheries research with members of the Ghanian parliament in 2023. Dr Acheampong will share insights from this model with decision makers and civil society who will attend three dissemination workshops that will be organized in Ghana in the first part of 2024. These workshop will share Hub's research findings and outputs on human rights, climate change adaptation, and small-scale fishers' customary laws. |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.3390/w15244288 |
| Title | Databases of genome sequences of novel bioactive marine bacteria |
| Description | The Hub research team at the University of Plymouth, UK, led by Prof Mathew Upton has created databases of genome sequences of novel bioactive marine bacteria from UK waters and investigated for the presence of gene clusters that may encode new antibiotics. These data will be made publicly available once the research team has secured protection for any relevant intellectual property. The research team has also created collections of bioactive marine bacteria that are being investigated for the production of novel antimicrobial compounds. These will be the focus of future funding applications as the team is seeking to develop new medicines from marine environments. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Anticipated impacts will be the production of new antibiotics and medicines from marine environments. Interim research findings and insights from this dataset were shared by Prof Mathew Upton with decision-makers, representatives of civil society and international organisations at the following international events: - Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. Attended by 40 people. - The roundtable titled "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," 16 November 2022 at the UN Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-El Sheikh, Egypt. Attended by 20 people |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/ |
| Title | Dataset from community-based, participatory GIS linked mapping tool |
| Description | This dataset is built by the Hub research team based at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, led by Prof Merle Sowman and Dr Jackie Sunde. It is generated through the use of the participatory mapping research method, embedded in the team's larger 'Community-based, participatory Marine Planning' project in St Helena Bay. Data collated through the mapping exercises involved individual interviews with fishers using a geographic information system (GIS) referenced map to enable them to identify their traditional fishing spots. For detailed information about the method, see the separate entry under method and tool titled "Making space for small-scale fishers: Community-based, participatory GIS linked mapping tool." Through the One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund, the team is expanding the mapping work to four other fishing communities. The intention is that once the methodology has been applied in a number of communities, the South Africa government will continue - either through raising funding for consultants/researchers - to continue doing this work around the country since this information is very useful for small-scale fishing communities who are participating in various ocean planning processes, in particular in articulating their priorities in the marine spatial planning and ocean economy planning processes underway. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The dataset contributed to the development of GIS maps that have been used as the basis of discussions between the UCT team and small-scale fishers with the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the group of scientists who are currently developing the biodiversity maps. The biodiversity maps developed by SANBI and the scientists will serve as the basis for the marine spatial planning process in South Africa. The lead scientists involved in this process have indicated the usefulness of the GIS maps co-developed by the UCT team and small-scale fishers in contributing towards the adoption of an interim small-scale fisheries map. Currently, the maps produced from this dataset are used as a placeholder, whilst a more accurate small-scale fisheries map is developed. This is the first time that the small-scale fisheries sector has been represented on a map used by SANBI and South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for the purposes of marine spatial planning. |
| Title | Dataset on small-scale fisheries in Ghana |
| Description | In 2022, Hub researcher Dr Wisdom Akpalu (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) carried out two surveys for data collection on (1) the enforcement of fishing regulations and (2) multidimensional poverty among artisanal fishers in Ghana. The data has been analysed and are being used to write two papers. Data collection on the enforcement of fishing regulations was conducted by Dr Akpalu from October 2021 to January 2022 in Greater Accra, Western Region and Central Region, Ghana. Data collection on multidimensional poverty was carried out by Dr Akpalu in November 2022 in various areas in Ghana, including Greater Accra (Awudun and Ashamang Fishing District) Central Region (Abandze, Aboadze, Biriwa Fishing Districts), and Western Region (Shama, Axim). Primary data was collected to estimate determinants of multi-dimensional poverty among artisanal fishers in Ghana. The data set contains variables such as education, health and standard of living indicators, as well as food consumption and expenditure, and other socio-demographic characteristics. Dr Akpalu and his research team are currently working on two draft papers, therefore, as of March 2024, the data has not yet been shared with others. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | No notable impacts to be reported at this stage. |
| Title | Eastern Cape Small -Scale Fishers Qualitative Dataset |
| Description | The One Ocean Hub's Coastal Justice Network has developed a dataset contains qualitative data generated from small-scale fishers group discussions in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, about their perspectives and priorities for marine spatial planning throughout 2023. This dataset includes data from the Coastal Justice Network's National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha (25-26 October 2023), which aimed to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan (OEMP) and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. This workshop built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023, focusing on these policy processes. A report titled "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" containing the qualitative data was published online in October 2023 and shared with small-scale fisher networks (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1-1.pdf). |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | It is anticipated that small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa, and beyond will use the report in their engagements with ocean governance and policy processes (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1-1.pdf). Findings from the dataset has also been shared by Hub Country Director for South Africa, early-career researchers Taryn Pereira, at the following international events with human rights practitioners, representatives of governments and civil society organisations: • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by 101 attendees. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1-1.pdf |
| Title | Fleet based surplus production model: a new fish stock assessment model |
| Description | One Ocean Hub researchers including Dr Robin Cook and Professor Michael Heath (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Emmanuel Acheampong and Professor Joseph Aggrey-Fynn (University of Cape Coast) developed a new fish stock assessment modelling tool suited to catch and effort data available by fleet. This is a Bayesian statistical model that uniquely accounts for technological creep and therefore corrects for bias in existing methods that use fishery dependent data. It provides estimates of maximum sustainable yield which offers fishery managers advice on sustainable exploitation of coastal resources. Assessments of 11 stocks of fish in Ghana waters were developed and saved for further analysis. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Assessments of many West African fish stocks rely on fishery-dependent catch and effort data. Typically, these treat the catch data as error free and some assume that fishing power does not change over time. To address these issues, One Ocean Hub researchers Dr Robin Cook, Professor Michael Heath, Dr Emmanuel Acheampong and Professor Josep Aggrey-Fynn develop a fleet-based surplus production model that accounts for increases in fishing power. It allows errors both in effort and catch data, so avoiding the assumption that catch data are exact. Mean annual fleet fishing power increase can be estimated when data from multiple fleets are available, provided it can be specified for at least one fleet. The model is tested using simulated data and then applied to western stocks of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and bonga shad (Ethmalosa fimbriata) in the Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) area. Both stocks appear to be over-exploited and near to collapse. Corrections for fishing power are important in the anchovy assessment and help to explain conflicting trends in the data. Uncertainty in the assessments is explored with a range of sensitivity tests. This model has enabled the detailed and robust assessment of the status of all fish stocks in Ghanaian waters for the first time. Dr Acheampong shared research findings and insights from this fish stock assessment model at a capacity building session for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni - the majority of whom are government officials from 80 low-and-middle income countries - "Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation" on 30 November 2020 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE; attended by 46 persons) and "Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience" webinar on 27 September 2021, co-organised by One Ocean Hub for the UKRI Climate Adaptation and Resilience online series, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4, attended by 113 persons). |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106048 |
| Title | Knowledge integration dataset |
| Description | Hub early-career researcher, Dr Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), is building a dataset of the knowledge from Namibia and Ghana across five distinctive clusters: (1) fisheries, (2) law and gender, (3) culture and heritage, (4) climate vulnerability, and (5) socio-economics. This dataset incorporates knowledge/findings, research gaps, synergies across countries and work packages, bright spots and legacy themes. This work has not been published yet. Dr Rivers is writing it up into a report. The dataset informs the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Anticipated impacts include findings informing future papers, funding proposals, and a policy brief on research co-development. Although the tool is not published yet, key findings collated and captured by using this tool will be shared by Dr Nina Rivers and the Hub's team during the One Ocean Hub-led satellite event for the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference, as well as in a poster presentation by Dr Nina Rivers entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana' for the same Conference (April 2024, Barcelona, Spain). This tool is also among various methods and tools co-developed by the Hub in its capacity as a UN Decade Implementing Partner on 'Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance'. Therefore, the tool will further contribute to the UN Decade's approach for research co-development. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/ |
| Title | Lalela uLwandle Audience Feedback Dataset |
| Description | This research dataset is developed through Lalela uLwandle performance and post-performance dialogue. Lalela uLwandle is a research-based theatre performance and public dialogue event developed by a South African collective called Empatheatre, who are part of the One Ocean Hub. As part of the Empatheatre methodology, the performance was followed by a facilitated public-discussion with researchers, performers, decision-makers, and the audience on the themes that emerge from the play. In 2022 Lalela uLwandle had been performed 15 times throughout its tour across South Africa (Durban, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape) and once at UN Climate COP27 Capacity Building Hub (Blue Zone), Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. Building on the success of the performance at COP27, in 2023 Lalela uLwandle was performed at the Closing Ceremony of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at the HQs of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, and on the sidelines of the UN celebrations of World Oceans Day, together with an international première of our animation and live performance at the UN HQs in New York in June 2023 (https://bit.ly/3Mvfafa; https://bit.ly/3O83gcq). For details, see artistic product entry on Empatheatre Lalela uLwanldle. At all performances, a short feedback form is completed by the audience. The feedback form asks three questions: How did the play make you feel?; Are there any characters in the play you felt you could relate to? If so, why?; How should we make decisions about the oceans?. The feedback form data from the 2022 Lalela ulwandle performances in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape in South Africa have been added to this dataset, which now includes data spanning three years of performances: 875 forms in total. Parts of the 2019 and 2020 dataset have been analysed and published as findings in the book chapter: Erwin, K., Pereira, T., McGarry, D., Coppen, N. (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. The full dataset that includes the 2022 and 2023 performances will be used as data for a research report on arts-based methodologies for more inclusive ocean governance, which will also be submitted as a journal article in 2024. In 2023, a post-doctoral researcher has been brought on to research the development impacts of Lalela uLwandle. They analysed the collected data and carry out interviews with a wide range of stakeholders who have been involved and impacted by the production. In addition, the post-performance discussions of Lalela uLwandle have helped us identify new interdisciplinary research questions around inclusiveness and benefit-sharing in the establishment of Marine Protected Areas and the potential role for intangible cultural heritage in legal decisions on the ocean. They have also provided the groundwork for a new production, Umkhosi Wenala. Co-written by 13 young performers/activists from the Mbazwana Arts Centre, this play aims to create an innovative participatory decisionmaking space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of Marine Protective Area. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Previous impacts in 2019/2020 include the use of data in litigation led by NGOs against offshore oil & gas exploration applications by energy companies in South Africa. The data was included in the appeal as evidence of ocean-related intangible cultural heritage, which received very little, if any, consideration in current decision-making processes on the ocean. Lalela uLwandle has been relied on as evidence of intangible cultural heritage in three separate court cases in South Africa (https://bit.ly/3BNm1dX), leading to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://bit.ly/3IfGNGr). In 2022 results that have been interpreted and analysed were presented to marine scientists at the South African Marine Science Symposium to show how cultural and spiritual understandings of the ocean are important to consider in marine planning and conservation efforts. Lastly, the findings from the book chapter published in 2022 that analyses some of this dataset were presented at the UN World Ocean Week event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on the 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0; attended by 69 people) and at the UN Climate COP27 Capacity Building Hub on 14 November 2022, in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt (See the recording of Land & Ocean Day of Capacity Building Hub here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Vxk043HzY - Watch Lalela uLwandle from 09:10:27, attended by 34 people). The UNFCCC's Capacity-Building Hub moderators said "the Empatheatre performance felt like the most important experience they had had at COP27[it helped] feeling the problems, not just rationalising them." (https://bit.ly/3NpIDrt). The second international performance at FAO HQs in Rome in March 2023 was attended by 35 people. The live performance at the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day in 2023 was attended by a total of 102,000 people in person and virtually. In 2024, the Hub will share key findings of Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) at the Hub-led satellite event for the UN Decade Conference 'Presenting Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance' on 9 April 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, and at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit on 5-7 July 2024 in Rome (https://bit.ly/3Mvfafa; https://bit.ly/3O83gcq). Overall, insights from Lalela uLwandle dataset have provided awareness raising and capacity building on inclusive ocean governance to 102,572 people from across 21 countries. |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20 |
| Title | List of Namibian Marine datasets |
| Description | The Hub research team developed a list of all marine datasets for Namibia that have been accessed during the project on "Blue Carbon Potential in Namibia" led by Namibia Nature Foundation and the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute The aim of this work is to identify potential sources of Blue Carbon and associated Carbon Credits within Namibia including collating available information on existing and potential projects. In addition, to identify data needs and gaps, and as part of the broader project, to identify and collate relevant data and identify and engage with relevant stakeholders. A literature review of the subject has been conducted between April and July 2023 and circulated to members of the One Ocean Hub Namibia and stakeholders. Extensive consultation and web-based searches have been conducted to identify and collate potentially valuable data sources. The majority of data is available from a few key data repositories, notably the data layers developed as part of the Marine Spatial Planning process (Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia, 2021), and the earlier Benguela Current Commission "BEHP" project (De Cauwer 2007) and the more recent Namibian Atlas project (Atlas of Namibia Team 2022). Prefix BEHP stands for projects that are managed by the Activity Centre for Biodiversity, Ecosystem Health and Pollution in Luanda, Angola. The list of Namibian Marine datasets has been published as a report titled "Blue carbon potential in Namibia - blue carbon habitat mapping report" in January 2024. This report was co-developed by Namibia Nature Foundation, the One Ocean Hub and the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute. Key data repositories are listed in Table 1 of the report. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The list of datasets has been used by the Namibian Islands Marine Protected Area Project |
| URL | https://www.south-atlantic-research.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/web_OOH-SAERI-Namibia-Blue-Carbon... |
| Title | Mapping of small-scale fishers' squid rights database |
| Description | This database is built by Hub researchers in South Africa based at Nelson Mandela University and Rhodes University. This database in Excel shows the distribution of small-scale fishers' rights over squid and interactions with various commercial companies, including analysis of shifts in the value of rights and income/livelihood derived by small-scale fisheries. At present, researchers are still collecting information to update the database to include data across three fishing seasons. Hub researchers Irna Senekal (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Taryn Pereira Kaplan and early-career researcher Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) are writing a comparative case study report and a peer-reviewed article derived from this database. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Hub researchers have used some of the data to inform educational material with fishers and to provide inputs into a 2023 court case brought by commercial rights holders against the South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and small-scale fishers that have rights/permit to fish squid. In November 2019 and March 2020, South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment granted small-scale fishing (SSF) rights to 72 SSF co-operatives in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This was widely celebrated as a long-overdue milestone in the struggle for rights and recognition by small-scale and subsistence fishers in the province. However, this process was understood to be just the beginning of a journey, with a lot of expectations built regarding the kinds of support (financial investment, equipment, training and so on) that these newly formed co-ops would receive from the government to enable their transition from having rights on paper to utilising their rights in practice. From 2019 to 2024, the Hub research team in South Africa has worked with small-scale fishers' co-operatives to understand and address the specific challenges they were facing. More information is available at: https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/ |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/ |
| Title | Our Ocean Is Sacred You Can't Mine Heaven |
| Description | Our ocean is sacred, you can't mine heaven" was a slogan seen on placards held by protestors against seismic surveys and ocean oil and gas exploration along the South African West and East Coast in 2022-2023. The 2022-2023 High Court judgments in favour of small-scale fishers and communities over large-scale Oil and Gas companies, have sparked greater traction and public interest (and advocacy) against the rush towards oil and gas in the sea, and has, in its own way, created a new public conversation around ocean heritages, cultures, and livelihoods that are deeply entangled and related to the ocean. This slogan was used to title a Public Storytelling Project and radical an-archive, led in collaboration by Dr. Dylan McGarry (Environmental Learning Research Centre, ELRC) and Dr. Boudina McConnachie (International Library of African Music, ILAM), which surfaced sacred ocean cultures through art, some of which were used as evidence alongside small-scale fishers' affidavits and testimonies in court interdicts in 2022-2023. "Our Ocean is Sacred, you can't mine heaven" also became an in-person Exhibition, which was open to the public at the Zero Gallery, on the corner of Church and Berg Street, in Cape Town, South Africa, from 4 August to 30 September 2022. It was a curated exhibition funded by the One Ocean Hub's Deep Fund, Elephant in the Zoom (EITZ), and the National Arts Festival 2022 (https://www.cmm.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Our-Ocean-is-Sacred-Press-Release.pdf). Prior to this "Our Sacred Ocean," a monumental tapestry created by the Keiskamma Art Project, made its public debut as part of the South African National Arts Festival exhibition "Our Ocean is Sacred, You Can't Mine Heaven" from 23 June to 3 July 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/our-ocean-is-sacred-you-cant-mine-heaven/). Curated by Hub researcher Dylan McGarry, the exhibition was conceived during ongoing dialogue with academics, artists, scientists, traditional healers and knowledge holders, heritage specialists, activists, lawyers and passionate citizens who are working in solidarity to reframe narratives and policies regarding the ocean and its shared future. The exhibition also entailed a living classroom, which expanded ocean literacy beyond scientific debate into socio-cultural discourse towards ocean influences. Supported by Michaela Howse from Keiskamma Art Project and Luke Kaplan from Coastal Justice Network, ethnomusicologists, traditional healers, sociologists, poets, scientists, activists, lawyers, and citizens united to re-frame narratives about our oceans. McGarry & McConnachie (2022) assert: "tangible artworks made in solidarity with customary rights holders of their intangible heritages have now shown that they serve as evidence in court cases, challenging existing evidence hierarchies". Acting as an 'an-archive,' where engagement with the artifacts of agency and other ways of knowing, the project urges artists and storytellers to work with customary rights holders to translate these intangible heritages into tangible artworks, as this can reshape evidence hierarchies within judicial processes, asserting the exhibition as a library of meaningful evidence for ocean defenders. For detailed information on ocean defenders please see collaboration and partnership entry titled "Expanding alliances on ocean defenders. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | As mentioned above, some of the data "Our Ocean Is Sacred You Can't Mine Heaven" public story telling were used as evidence alongside small-scale fishers' affidavits and testimonies in court interdicts in 2022, leading to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://bit.ly/3IfGNGr). As McGarry explained: "This event wasn't just an exhibition; it became a collaborative hub, inviting diverse backgrounds to engage with the central theme of the sacred ocean. Our multimedia approach aimed to support Indigenous communities in unveiling the intangible heritages of the ocean ethically. Collaborating with civil society groups like the Legal Resource Centre and Natural Justice, and working closely with Dr. Jackie Sunde, a Hub researcher from University of Cape Town, we strategically integrated early versions of artworks as appendices to the brave affidavits submitted by Small Scale Fisher leaders, the real heroes of this story." The development of this dataset also led to the Hub research team at Rhodes University, South Africa led by Dr Dylan McGarry, to engage with several schools, the Centre for Creative Education, and non-profit organisations such as The Beach Co-op (https://www.thebeachcoop.org/about-us/#our-story). It is estimated that the two exhibitions contributed to raising awareness and building the capacity of over 500 people. The exhibition was captured through virtual reality in collaboration with the Glasgow School of Art and opened online in December 2023 at https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=oSfnkYPp6as. In total 2240 people visited the exhibition in-person and 175 visited it online. In 2024 it will also be included in the One Ocean Learn knowledge-translation platform the the Hub is co-developing with UNITAR |
| URL | https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=oSfnkYPp6as |
| Title | Physiological data, skeletal dissolution and water parameters of a long-term multiple stressor aquarium experiment with the cold-water coral Desmophyllum pertusum dataset |
| Description | The Hub's research team based at the University of Edinburgh conducted a long-term (6-month) multiple stressor aquarium experiment with the cold-water coral Desmophyllum pertusum (syn. Lophelia pertusa) under future environmental conditions. The experiment with live corals consisted of four different treatments to investigate the combined effect of ocean acidification, warming, deoxygenation and food limitation on their physiology: "control" (9 °C, pH 8.1, 100 % oxygen, 100 % food availability), "multiple stressor with high feeding" (12 °C, pH 7.7, 90 % oxygen, 100 % food availability), "multiple stressor with low feeding" (12 °C, pH 7.7, 90 % oxygen, 50 % food availability) and "reduced oxygen" (9 °C, pH 8.1, 90 % oxygen, 100 % food availability). The physiological response (mortality, growth and respiration rates) of the live corals was determined every 6 weeks over one year. In a parallel experiment, they also examined the dissolution rate of dead coral skeletons in response to the combined effect of ocean acidification, warming and deoxygenation ("control" and "multiple stressor" treatment) and under three different ocean acidification scenarios (pCO2: 750, 1000 and 1250 ppm). Water parameters (temperature, salinity, pH and oxygen concentration) were measured five times per week in every coral tank. In the meantime, we have published parts of this dataset with the data collected over the first 6 months of the experiment: • Physiological data: https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.965082 • Mortality rates: https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.965083 • Skeletal dissolution rates: https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.965098 • Water parameters: https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.965080 |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The data from our long-term multiple stressor experiment will improve our understanding of how cold-water corals will be affected by future environmental changes and how ocean acidification affects their skeletal integrity and the framework of cold-water coral reefs. Ultimately, this will allow us to predict which ecosystems will be at risk and to quantify the habitat loss under different ocean acidification scenarios. Furthermore, the information on the expected change in habitat complexity of cold-water coral reefs and the extent of potential loss of associated biodiversity will inform governmental organisations to contribute to the decision-making process for conservation measures in the deep-sea. |
| URL | https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.965082 |
| Title | Richards Bay (South Africa) Small-Scale Fisheries Dataset |
| Description | Hub early-career researcher Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) has developed the 'Richards Bay (South Africa) small-scale fisheries dataset' as part of her doctoral research. This dataset consists of two sets of household survey data, oral history interview data, and focus group data that has collected during a series of field trips in Richards Bay on November 2021 and October 2022. Aphiwe Moshani's data collection has specifically focused on two coastal communities in Richards Bay - Gubethuka and Ndindima communities. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Although the dataset has not been published, it has informed the intervention made by Hub early-career researchers Dr Philile Mbatha and Aphiwe Moshani (Cape Town University, South Africa) at the global consultation organized by the UN Environment Programme, titled "Towards a common understanding of the support to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) concept" in May 2021. Dr Mbatha and Ms Moshani shared their research findings on the role of small-scale fishing communities as EHRDs, bringing in perspectives also on traditional knowledge and customary rights, including in the context of the creation of marine protected areas. Dr Mbatha and Moshani began their presentation by providing an overview of the expansion of blue economy interventions of the coast, and how their implementation tends to focus on neoliberal objectives at the expense of social ones. The displacement and disempowerment of many traditional fishers on the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Dube and Mkhwanazi, due to the continuation of a mining lease in the Zulti South Mining Lease Area in 2019, was used as an example. The mining lease covers the coastal area between the south of Richards Bay and the uMhlathuze river and the north of Port Dunford extending 20km of this coast and has destroyed small-scale fishing grounds, displaced 645 people and 79 households, and further displaced additional 586 households. They also drew attention to the harassment and killing of EHRDs (https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-highlights-role-and-needs-of-small-scale-fishers-at-un-consultations-on-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). Although the dataset has not been published yet in a peer-reviewed outlet, Aphiwe Moshani has shared insights from the dataset in 2023 and 2024 on the Hub's podcast 'Gender and the ocean' (https://oneoceanhub.org/podcast-on-gender-and-the-ocean/) and a Learning Pathway 'Ocean, culture and cultural heritage' for the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online knowledge-translation platform that the Hub is co-developing with the UN Institute for Training and Research (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-learning-pathway-ocean-culture-and-cultural-heritage-published-on-one-ocean-learn/). In the podcast, Aphiwe talks about women's knowledge of the ocean, their distinctive ocean-related practices, including seaweed harvesting, and the challenges they face, from experiencing and witnessing climate change, to their struggle to ensure gender equality in the context of the blue economy. The Learning Pathway focuses on the interlinkages of the ocean, culture and cultural heritage - exploring ocean-related cultural values, history, heritage, and Indigenous and local knowledge systems. Among other issues, the Learning Pathway discusses how Indigenous and local ocean knowledge and cultural heritage, particularly intangible cultural heritage, as often underrepresented in ocean governance processes, such as Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Areas, highlighting the need for their integration into ocean management approaches. The datasets collected are a central point of Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) thesis. Following her thesis submission and examination she will be using some of the dataset for a number of publications in the year 2024. |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-highlights-role-and-needs-of-small-scale-fishers-at-un-consult... |
| Title | Sampling Effort Metadata for the Central and South Atlantic Offshore and Deep-Sea Benthos |
| Description | Biological sampling effort in the South Atlantic dataset is composed of historical records of where biological sampling has been carried out in the South Atlantic. The biological sampling effort in the South Atlantic dataset carried out under the One Ocean Hub fed into a larger dataset titled 'Sampling Effort Metadata for the Central and South Atlantic Offshore and Deep-Sea Benthos' (https://zenodo.org/record/7381493#.Y_jKrXbP2uV). The metadata has been published, with an initial embargo period until 31 May 2023. Thereafter, the database will be open access. Metadata containing information on the sampling of benthic taxa in =>30 m water depth in the Central and South Atlantic. This data was compiled as part of a baseline review of the science, policy and management of the region (Bridges et al. in press). Metadata was compiled from sources identified through a literature search and information provided by members of the Challenger 150 Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group. The database has been included in a paper reviewing the science, policy and management of the Central and South Atlantic (Bridges et al. in press). The full reference of the paper is as follow: Bridges. A.E.H., Howell, K.L., Amaro, T., Atkinson, L., Barnes, D.K.A., Bax, N., Bell, J.B., Bernardino, A.F., Beuck, L., Braga-Henriques, A., Brandt, A., Bravo, M.E., Brix, S., Butt, S., Carranza, A., Doti, B.L., Elegbede, I.O., Esquete, P., Freiwald, A., Gaudron, S.M., Guilhon, M., Hebbeln, D., Horton, T., Kainge, P., Kaiser, S., Lauretta, D., Limongi, P., Mcquaid, K.A., Milligan, R.J., Miloslavich, P., Narayanaswamy, B.E., Orejas, C., Paulus, S., Pearman, T.R.R., Perez, J.A., Ross, R.E., Saeedi, H., Shimabukuro, M., Sink, K., Stevenson, A., Taylor, M., Titschack, J., Vieira, R.P., Vinha, B. & Wienberg, C. "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea." in Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, published in 2023. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The development of this dataset supports the aims of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, particularly capacity development, ocean literacy and technology transfer for implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life below water. The production of this novel tool paved the way for the formal endorsement of the One Ocean Hub research on deep-sea ecosystems as a new Decade Action under Challenger 150 on 3 June 2022 from the UN Decade of Ocean Science. This metadatabase also fed into a review of the South and Central Atlantic published in 2023. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience, and practices of the Hub deep-sea research, including insights from this dataset at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Barcelona, Spain co-organised in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI). Findings from this dataset were shared at various international events, including the UN World Oceans Day and UN Climate COP26 in Glasgow, UK and COP27 in Sharm-El Sheikh, Egypt. They provided capacity building to a total of 605 persons from diverse professional background including government officials, private sector, regional and international organisations, civil society and researchers. For further details please read collaboration and partnership entry titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC." |
| URL | https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003363873/chapters/10.1201/9781003363873-5 |
| Title | St Helena Bay (South Africa) Small-Scale Fisheries Database |
| Description | This database is developed by Hub researchers based at the University of Cape Town, South Africa in partnership with a local small-scale fisher community. It includes data on small-scale fishers' fishing areas and practices, livelihoods, ecological knowledge and cultural heritage, arising from the on-going, community-based participatory research process in St. Helena Bay, South Africa and comprises both quantitative and qualitative data obtained through a range of methods including a household survey, focus groups, fisher individual and group mapping and individual interviews and observation. The database has not been published yet. A technical report is in progress (Sunde, Sowman, Nthane and Lambrecht, 2023, see: https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ ). Although the database has not been published yet, fisher geo-referenced maps and the methodology used to develop these have been shared with selected scientists as part of an on-going national research process to ensure that small-scale fishers are represented in the National Marine Spatial Planning database. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Information from the database was used by Hub researcher Dr Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), to inform two affidavits submitted as part of the Application for an interdict against the company SEARCHER GEODATA, asking the High Court to withdraw the authorization granted to SEARCHER to conduct a seismic survey off the West Coast of South Africa for offshore oil and gas exploration. In the environmental management report submitted by the environmental consultants acting for SEARCHER, the 'Expert Fisheries Report' failed to identify the impacts of the proposed survey on the small-scale fishers of the West Coast. It failed to include key data about the key species that they catch, as well as their fisheries-related cultural heritage. Using the data gathered in the One Ocean Hub's St Helena Bay project, Hub researcher, Dr Jackie Sunde, assisted one of the fisher leaders in developing the founding affidavit (Christian Adams and Others versus the Minister and Others 1306/2022 available at https://cer.org.za/virtual-library/judgments/high-courts/christian-john-adams-others-v-minister-of-mineral-resources-and-energy-others-west-coast-seismic-blasting-part-a-interdict-march-2022 ). In the second affidavit (Sunde 2022), the researcher outlined information on the small-scale fisheries on the West Coast, drawing considerable information from the information collected as part of the process of building the database. The applicants were successful in this case: the point made about the expert reports failing to address the issue of a specific species called snoek, was one of the grounds for the application for an interdict being granted. Further indication of the impact of intervention could be found in a new 2022 application for oil and gas exploration off the West Coast, where the same fisheries expert has written a new 'Fisheries Expert Report (TEEPSA 567 Capmarine 2022)' in which he references Dr Sunde's publication (Sunde 2016), which was cited in the affidavit (Sunde 2022). This indicated clearly that the expert was informed by the affidavit. Further, in the new 'Expert Report', the expert changes the approach to the distance travelled by small-scale fishers that was used in the first report, provides extensive information on the key species of the small-scale fishers that was raised in Sunde 2022, and Adams affidavit, and the expert notes the cultural importance of small-scale fisheries and the need to adopt a precautionary approach, noting that there is new information about small-scale fisheries. This clearly shows the impact of Hub researcher' interventions using data from this new, albeit as yet unpublished, database. As yet unpublished SSF geo-referenced spatial maps in the growing dataset are also being used to inform transdisciplinary research conducted with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), to develop a methodology to include small-scale fisheries data in the national marine spatial and biodiversity planning dataset. For more information about the affidavits and expert reports please see the following documents that are available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bqog6s4mgmack63rm3j5m9ajlj. Building upon this dataset, in 2023-2024 Hub researchers based at the University of Cape Town are leading the development of "Making space for small-scale fishers: Community-based, participatory GIS linked mapping tool." This will be reported under a separate entry for tool and method. |
| Title | St Helena Bay Household Survey Supplementary Dataset |
| Description | The Hub research team at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, led by Dr Jackie Sunde has developed a dataset from a supplementary survey conducted with 77 small-scale fishers in the St Helena Bay region of South Africa. The dataset identifies the small-scale fishers' income from fishing, target species and culturally significant species of small-scale fishers. It has not yet been published, as it continues to be a work in progress. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Anticipated impacts include better recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights and their cultural heritage in fisheries management and conservation. Insights from this dataset will be shared by the Hub research team from the University of Cape Town at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in Rome in July 2024. |
| Title | State Ocean Jurisdiction model |
| Description | The model developed by Hub researcher Prof Patrick Vrancken (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) provides a novel legal analytical approach to understand States' ocean jurisdiction. The model focuses on the form, the ground, the scope and the purpose of State ocean jurisdiction. Defining jurisdiction as the international-law authority of a State to be involved in a factual matter on the basis of a valid legal ground to perform authoritative acts impacting on that matter, it disaggregates the complexity of the concept, which often leads to States failing to make full use of their existing ocean jurisdictions. In the process, it identifies when and to what extent there are gaps and overlaps of jurisdictions. Ten key messages from this model includes: (1) There is no part of the ocean that is actually "beyond national jurisdiction." (2) A State's ocean jurisdiction can be either legislative, executive or adjudicative, and these jurisdictions are intricately related. (3) State ocean jurisdiction is linked to governance on land. (4) Territoriality has a much greater role to play on land than in the ocean, where several other grounds of jurisdiction exist. (5) A coastal State has a range of ocean jurisdictions, including its coastal zone jurisdictions. (6) The extents of the various grounds of jurisdiction differ. (7) The extents of the various ocean jurisdictions overlap in many situations. (8) Most States do not make full use of the authority that international law confers on them to be involved in ocean governance. (9) In many instances, a State has the option of delegating the exercise of its ocean jurisdiction to one or more other States. (10) International law is placing an increasing number of limits to the purpose for which States may or must exercise their ocean jurisdictions. These key messages and explanatory notes were published online in 2023 at: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-ten-things-you-need-to-know-about-state-ocean-jurisdiction/. A policy brief addressed to national authorities is going to be published in 2024. The analytical model has been published in 2023 as an open-access book: Vrancken P. (2023). State Ocean Jurisdiction. London: Routledge. Available from https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003383871 |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Bringing clarity on an inevitably complex and often misunderstood legal framework of state jurisdiction, the analytical model lays the foundation for future legal research, contextualising the position of State ocean jurisdiction not only in terms of ocean governance, but in the whole of public international law. Insights from this model will contribute to Hub's research and engagement with non-academic stakeholders to strengthen low-and-middle-income countries capacity in the implementation of High Seas Treaty adopted on 19 June 2023 in New York (https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The Hub has been invited by the UN Development Programme Archipelagic and Island States Forum to co-develop capacity building programme to assist small-islands developing states (SIDS) in the South Pacific to implement the High Seas Treaty together with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea and the European Commission in mid or later part of 2024. For detailed information, please refer to the collaboration and partnership entry titled "Strengthening synergies across Sustainable Development Goals." Prof Vrencken's book was cited in the first report on ocean and human rights prepared by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in 2023 (Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development: "Towards Council of Europe healthy seas and oceans strategies against the climate crisis": AS/Soc (2023) 28 ) |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003383871 |
| Title | StrathE2E Model |
| Description | StrathE2E is a marine food web and fisheries model for shelf seas. It has been published as an R package in 2021 and an online app in 2022. This is an end-to-end model which (1) represents the entire marine food web and the associated abiotic environment, (2) involves the integration of physical and biological processes at different scales, (3) implements two-way interaction between ecosystem components and (4) accounts for the dynamic forcing effect of climate change and human impacts at multiple trophic levels. It allows users to investigate potential impact of management decisions on marine ecosystem health and production. A model for the Ghana ecosystem is available online, see here: https://outreach.mathstat.strath.ac.uk/apps/StrathE2EApp/ Read more about StrathE2E here: https://www.marineresourcemodelling.maths.strath.ac.uk/strathe2e/articles/Implementation_The_Ghanaian_Shelf.html. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The aim of the model is to represent the entire interconnected marine ecosystem from physics and chemistry through microbes and plankton, to whales and fisheries in continental shelf regions. StrathE2E marine ecosystem model for Ghana simulates catches of fish from the Ghana ecosystem by the different fleets and how this responds to climate change and fisheries management. The model has been published online for anyone to use. StrathE2E simplifies ecology and space to be accessible. This means the model is speedy, versatile, and easily changed and could be used by relevant stakeholders to develop fisheries management policy. This fisheries decision-support tool for Ghana was updated in October 2023 and presented to members of the Ghanaian parliamentary committee for Fisheries (an estimate of 50 attendees). It has been published online (https://outreach.mathstat.strath.ac.uk/apps/GhanaTest/) but not through a peer-review outlet. Hub researchers have also organised training on the use of StrathE2E at: (1) The annual science meeting for Mission Atlantic on 21October 2022, that brought together researchers and local policy partners from Norway, Ireland, the Azores, the Canary Islands, Western Sahara, Senegal, Brazil, Ascension Island, St Helena, and South Africa (an estimate of 50 attendees); (2) The Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland's fisheries forum on 7 February 2023, which was attended by academics and representatives of Marine Scotland and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (an estimate of 50 attendees); and (3) the European Maritime Day on 24 May 2023 in Brest, France, which was organised by the European Commission and was attended by a mixed audience of industry and government representatives (an estimate of 100 attendees). We estimate that the outreach activities to introduce this model to relevant stakeholders to develop fisheries management policy have reached 250 people in Ghana, Norway, Ireland, the Azores, the Canary Islands, Western Sahara, Senegal, Brazil, Ascension Island, St Helena, South Africa and France. |
| URL | https://outreach.mathstat.strath.ac.uk/apps/StrathE2EApp/ |
| Title | Survey on Small-Scale Fisheries in Durban Dataset |
| Description | Hub researcher Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology/groundwork, South Africa) developed dataset of survey responses from 157 fishers in the city of Durban who are not yet recognised as small-scale fishers. This research feeds into a Task Team set up by the South Africa National Minister of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) to assist in including them into the policy regime. Drawing from this dataset, a research report was handed to the Government of South Africa on 25 January 2024. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The presentation of the research report that contained findings from the dataset directly contributed to an agreement with the Small-Scale Fisheries Directorate of DEFF to submit an application for interim measures to the National Minister (including exemption permits for small-scale fishers) while the government works out how best to recognise fishers in the city of Durban who are not yet recognised as small-scale fishers and allocate their rights. Task Team of DEFF on 4 March 2024 recommended to the Minister of DFFE to (1) note the recommendations outlined for DFFE in the research report (Fishing without Rights report, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ih6iqg7dqb2dag0ber8v3pekfp); (2) exempt the list of identified fishers form Section 18 of the ) Marine Living Resources Act (3) exempt fishers from a process of recognition and allocation of rights in terms of Reg 4 in the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy; (4) set up co-management structures within the area to ensure that the principles of co-management in the small-scale fisheries policy are realised; and (5) enable and support the establishment of a constitution and relevant bylaws to align to the Kwa Zulu Natal context so that these constitutions are fit for purpose to the local context (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/d3jvcnngbo4lob049jktaaeu2q). |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ih6iqg7dqb2dag0ber8v3pekfp |
| Title | The Algoa Marine Systems Analysis Tool (AlgoaMSAT): an exploratory framework and simulation model |
| Description | One Ocean Hub early-career researcher Estee Vermeulen (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) developed the Algoa Marine Systems Analysis Tool (AlgoaMSAT) co-funded by the Hub and the Algoa Bay project (https://www.algoabayproject.com/). AlgoaMSAT is an exploratory framework and simulation model that uses system dynamics modelling (SDM) to facilitate and support marine spatial planning (MSP). SDMs incorporate temporal dimensions, and thereby can support MSP processes by evaluating changes in human use dynamics and interconnections, possible synergies and conflicts between human uses, as well as between human uses and requirements for marine health. As a management framework, the exploratory tool provides a holistic, cross-sectoral overview of human use dynamics in terms of sustainable management, and as a simulation model, it provides a platform for scenario and trade-off analyses in relation to sustainable use of the bay. Moreover, the framework and the model provide a communication tool, which can be used to facilitate collaborative stakeholder engagement and provide strategic guidance and decision-support to MSP. The model boundary of AlgoaMSAT consists of six sub-models. Five of these represent selected marine uses in Algoa Bay, whereas the sixth sub-model integrates the outputs from each marine use in terms of sustainable management outputs. An additional output of the AlgoaMSAT is the Visual User Interface (VUI). The VUI has been developed for the purpose of providing a 'user-friendly' portal to engage with the model, specifically for users who are unfamiliar with the method of system dynamics modeling or do not have access to the model software. Decision-makers or stakeholders can therefore investigate model scenarios by tweaking the inclusive model levers. The VUI can additionally be applied in a multi-sectoral stakeholder setting, whereby stakeholders in the different marine sectors can implement alternative management interventions and thereby compare scenarios. The VUI has been developed to provide a user-friendly portal to engage with the model. Decision-makers or stakeholders can therefore investigate model scenarios by adjusting the inclusive model variables through levers on the interface. The VUI can additionally be used in a collaborative stakeholder setting, whereby stakeholders representing different institutions or areas of the problem can implement alternative management interventions to investigate tourism recovery strategies in Nelson Mandela Bay, similar to what was demonstrated during the group stakeholder workshop. The Nelson Mandela Bay COVID-Tourism interface has been published online on the isee systems model exchange platform in 2022. For further details read the following articles: Vermeulen-Miltz, E., Clifford-Holmes, J. K., Scharler, U. M., & Lombard, A. T. (2023). A system dynamics model to support marine spatial planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa. Environmental Modelling & Software 160, 105601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2022.105601 Vermeulen-Miltz, E., Clifford-Holmes, J.K., Lombard, A.T., Snow, B. (2023). Coastal Tourism Recovery amid COVID-19: Insights from a Participatory System Dynamics Approach. Tour. Hosp. 4, 435-450. https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp4030027 Vermeulen-Miltz, E.; Clifford-Holmes, J.K.; Snow, B.; Lombard, A.T. 2022. Exploring the Impacts of COVID-19 on Coastal Tourism to Inform Recovery Strategies in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. Systems 2022, 10(4), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10040120 |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The Algoa Marine Systems Analysis model received first place in two prestigious competitions including the 4th Annual South African System Dynamics competition and the Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA 2030) Award in 2021. The system dynamics model quantitatively measures the interactions among five industries in the bay and their relationships with marine health, marine wealth and marine labour. Local authorities including Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the tourism sector have expressed interest about the use of the model. It is anticipated that stakeholders involved in the process including representatives from the tourism sector, local government, accommodation groups, and local tourism operators can identify leverage points and management interventions from the stance of the local municipality to provide decision-support and inform post COVID 19 pandemic tourism recovery strategies. The base model was used to develop the tourism sub model on COVID 19 recovery. The model has formed the basis for the ecosystem services work and systems models and scenarios, output to follow in the future areas feeds into various aspects of Algoa Bay research. Estee was awarded her PhD demonstrating capacity building to early career researcher from the Global South. |
| URL | https://www.algoabayproject.com/abcodym |
| Title | The South African Marine Biodiversity Reference Image Collection |
| Description | The South African Marine Biodiversity Reference Image Collection is a database of benthic invertebrate morphospecies observed from underwater visual surveys. The database was developed in South Africa by Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa) with support from Professor Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and draws from the SMarTaR-ID framework for cataloguing representative marine fauna observed in situ. For detailed explanation on SMarTaR-ID framework please see a separate entry under method and tool section titled "SMarTaR-ID Web Portal and South Atlantic species catalogue." This framework aligns with the Darwin metadata standards, ensures standardised naming of taxa and allows for dataset integration and comparability. The South African reference image database currently has more than 500 operational taxonomic units across 14 phyla of marine invertebrates from remotely operated vehicle surveys from the eastern margin of South Africa. Future endeavours will continue to add to this database from new remotely operated vehicle surveys and other underwater camera platforms such as towed camera's, baited remote underwater video and benthic landers. In addition, the identity of each morphospecies will be verified by local and international experts. After the verification process, this reference image database will then be made freely available and accessible online to support future research, student theses, practitioners with environmental impact assessments and enhance foundational biodiversity data collected in the Southern African region. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Anticipated impacts include support to environmental impact assessments in the Southern African region. This database also supports the aims of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, particularly capacity development, ocean literacy and technology transfer for implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life below water. In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Science Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI). |
| Title | The dataset on microplastics: Quantity and identity of plastics in mangroves and beaches |
| Description | The dataset on microplastics is currently being worked on and added to by Hub researchers based at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), UK and the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. The dataset contains number of particles and the polymer type of these particles. It quantifies the level of micro/meso plastic found on water and sediment from four different mangrove regions in Ghana during the wet season. Once it is completed the data will be published with Hub colleagues from Ghana and will be made available to all. Colleagues at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana will also have access to this data and can use it within Ghana to support additional grant capture, or to demonstrate to policymakers/stakeholders the levels of plastics and types during different time points. The database is based on best practices developed to standardise the classification of microplastics in the environment. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Anticipated impact rests on the availability of data for fisheries-human health research, with potential impacts on livelihoods. In addition, this knowledge will help inform future research needs on micro and nano plastics. The preliminary findings from the dataset have been shared at the following international events: - International Maritime Week - Day 3 "Marine Pollution" on 23 September 2020 co-organised with the Indonesian Embassy in London and the International Maritime Organization (attended by 82 people); - UN Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on demand event titled "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" on 30 October - 1 December 2021 available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI viewed by 141 people; and - a side-event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change at Climate COP27," Health Pavilion, Sharm-El Sheikh, Egypt on 16 November 2022 attended by 20 people. In total these events raise awareness and built the capacity of 243 people on microplastics from diverse professional background including policy makers, private sector, civil society, international organisations, researchers and students. In 2024, Hub researchers based at SAMS and the University of Cape Coast are working on two peer-research articles based on the dataset, titled (1) "Invisible Peril: Assessing microplastic pollution in Ghanaian mangroves" and (2) "Trapped in the sandy and roots: Plastics in Ghana's mangrove and coast ecosystems." |
| Title | The trophic model of Algoa Bay - Modeling climate change impacts on the South African marine system and fisheries |
| Description | The marine fisheries sector in South Africa plays an important role in food security for small-scale and subsistence fishers. Climate-driven impacts have resulted in distribution shifts and declines in abundance of important fisheries targets, with negative consequences to the users dependent on these resources (reviewed in Ortega-Cisneros et al., 2021). Hub researchers from the University of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela University, Dr Lynnne Shannon and Dr Kelly Ortega Cisneros, developed ecosystem models to predict the impacts of climate change on fisheries and develop and test adaptation scenarios. They used the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE, version 6.6.6) and Atlantis modelling frameworks to develop and test scenarios for climate change fisheries adaptation. These models allow for the creation of simple or complex models of the trophic flows of an ecosystem, providing an overview of feeding interactions and resources contained in the system. Both the Atlantis and EwE modelling frameworks have been used for strategic purposes, e.g. to test what if? scenarios. These models and scenarios are critical for adaptation since they can predict the potential impacts of climate change and other stressors to marine ecosystems and resource users. These predictions can be used to inform users of potential future scenarios, that can in turn help them prepare to these impacts and increase their readiness to adapt. These models and scenarios are innovative because they produce a novel application of the temporally dynamic Ecosim model for Algoa Bay, as well as spatio-temporal dynamic model (Ecospace), by gathering recent advancements in our understanding of the dynamics and available data series from research in Algoa Bay. The models and scenarios show promise in improving the understanding of cumulative pressures in Algoa Bay, including climate change, as well as the predicted impacts of climate change in the southern Benguela system using two different ecosystem models. This is important in reconciling knowledge needed to manage fisheries and to protect marine biodiversity by means of ecosystem-based management in South Africa, and to advance management advice under future scenarios of climate change (Shannon et.al 2020). The Ecospace model of the Southern Benguela itself is a spatial-temporal ecosystem model that has been developed in partnership with the TRIATLAS H2020 project. The model is under final calibration and the paper will be submitted for publication by mid-2024. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | An Ecopath with Ecosim model of Algoa Bay was developed and fitted to catch and abundance time series for the period 2010-2019. Model simulations were run to explore the ecosystem benefits of the Addo Elephant National Park Marine Protected Area. The model serves as a basis for future spatialised trophic modelling of the Algoa Bay, in support of spatial management. Significance of the models and scenarios developed by Hub researchers has been recognised at the regional and international levels, through invited policy brief and presentations to the Nairobi Convention for the Western Indian Ocean (February 2021), the UN Ocean Science Decade series on Predictable Ocean: Science and Solutions for a Safe and Predicted Ocean (September 2021), the UKRI Climate Adaptation and Resilience online series (September 2021) and the UN Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (2021 that reached over 500 people. For detailed information on individual events and access to the video recordings, please see the collaboration and partnership entry titled "MODELLING CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN MARINE SYSTEM AND FISHERIES." The ecosystem models and scenarios will help the fishing industry prepare for climate change and ultimately assist to prioritise resources to ensure the industry remains resilient or to find alternatives to diversify and remain viable. Several adaptation options have been proposed for the small pelagics fishery by the right holders and the findings of this study hope to help with prioritising those adaptation options by identifying which elements are more at risk and need the highest attention. By doing so, this project contributes to sustaining livelihoods for the more than 5000 people from different local communities depending on small pelagic fishery (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00540; https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2022.2080268). Research findings, practices, and experiences from using the trophic model of Algoa Bay will be shared by Dr Lynnne Shannon through her poster on "Modelling marine climate-fishery-conservation scenarios in southern Africa" at the World Biodiversity Forum that will take place in Davos, Switzerland, on 16-21 June 2024. |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00540 |
| Title | Transformative governance for an innovative and sustainable blue society in Namibia dataset |
| Description | Hub researchers at the University of Namibia, Namibia, collected the quantitative and qualitative data on the blue economy, markets for small-scale fishers, and fisheries governance. The dataset addresses the following the objectives: 1. to explore possible opportunities for coastal communities to access social and economic benefits from the blue economy; 2. to Identify barriers hindering coastal communities from fully participating in policies and regulatory frameworks for ocean governance; and 3. to explore the possibility of a sustainable local market for small-scale artisanal fishers in the coastal areas. In 2022, Hub researchers at the University of Namibia engaged with various stakeholders through interviews and workshops. These stakeholders include: trade facilitators working at Namibian ports authority; fishers (commercial, small-scale, and recreational); and women groups and youth groups living in the coastal areas. Some of the research participants explained that they gained knowledge about the blue economy concept after the workshop and that they would use this knowledge in future engagements with other stakeholders. Others shared their experience about access to market for small-scale fishers and provided examples of countries where a chain of businesses support small-scale fishers (e.g. Angola) that potentially can be applied in the Namibian coastal areas. The dataset revealed that participants' understanding of the legal basis for governance of fishing activities was limited. In 2023, new data was obtained from Hub's research on climate change, marine spatial planning, small-scale fisheries and ocean culture that the Hub team co-developed with the Topnaar community (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/; https://oneoceanhub.org/working-with-the-topnaar-to-protect-human-rights-and-revive-ocean-culture/ ). Data from this dataset has been translated into the following publications: • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Data on marine spatial planning will be published in a book project which has received a number of abstracts from contributors in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The dataset enhances learning and understanding of the concept of the blue economy and markets for small-scale fishers. The dataset and findings from the Hub research in Namibia contributed to the development of Namibia's first National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (https://namibia.un.org/index.php/en/207292-national-plan-action-small-scale-fisheries-2022-2026-npoa-ssf) that was published in June 2022 with support from Hub partners the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)'s SSF-LEX (https://www.fao.org/faolex/en/). In addition, the findings also fed into the co-development with FAO of a global legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries, that was launched at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress (4WSFC) - Africa, held in Cape Town, South Africa, in November 2022. The findings from the dataset was also shared during a series of six workshop organised by the Hub's research team in Namibia in March and September 2023 with representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. One of the main impacts derived from the dataset and workshop series was the inclusion of cultural heritage into the draft of Namibia's marine spatial plan (for detailed information, see: https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Findings from the dataset have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs listed below. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a collaboration and partnership entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Insights from the dataset have also provided awareness raising and capacity building on various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to 769 small-scale fishers recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations through co-organisation of local workshops and various side-events for the UN World Ocean Week and the UN Climate COP. Please see detailed information on the list of events, link to recording and number of participants in each individual event in a collaboration and partnership entry titled "Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia." |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/ |
| Title | Umkhosi Wenala Dataset |
| Description | Through counter-hegemonic mapping using Empatheatre methodology, a new play was co-developed in 2022 titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of marine protected areas that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. Hub researchers based at Rhodes University, Durban University of Technology, and the University of Cape Town, South Africa created a new process of co-developing, over 18 months, a story and timeline covering over 200 years with 13 young activities and 8 elders living near Isimangaliso Marine Protected Area. They also co-created relational maps of stories, which were added, through call-and-response methods, to a theatre production and living map of these stories and concerns. The theatre play was performed to communities and traditional authorities to obtain their feedback and integrate it into further iterations of the play script. Through the Umkhosi Wenala play, a team of Hub researchers based at Rhodes University, University of Cape Town and Durban University of Technology, South Africa have produced a new dataset on intangible cultural heritage and a large 200-year history articulated by local communities and knowledge holders. For more information, read this blogpost:https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/ and see a 20-minute documentary at https://vimeo.com/791847743/b95e473231. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The play Umkhosi Wenala offers an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of marine protected areas (MPAs), processes that otherwise exclude cultural, spiritual, and other local perspectives. The play offers restorative public storytelling to address issues of fairness and inclusion. Umkhosi Wenala toured the region surrounding the Isimangaliso MPA in 2022 and for a second time in early 2024. The production brought together over 2567 different knowledge holders who participated in post-show discussions. The audiences included local Indigenous authorities and leaders who offered feedback on the performance, the ethics of representation, and the text. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Feedback from elders, youth, and most importantly young women, showed they were deeply engaged and attentive to the nuances found within the story. The preparation of this play provided significant livelihoods benefits to local artists, actors, and craftspersons (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Umkhosi_Wenala_12.10.23.pdf). The insights and oral histories from the 2022 dataset were shared at (1) the closing events of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, which the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation co-organised with the Hub on 27-31 March 2023 in Rome, Italy (attended by 469 people) and (2) UN World Oceans Day events on 7-9 June 2023 in New York, which the Hub co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea with policy makers and practitioners involved in sustainable fisheries and marine conservation (attended by 111 people) (3) UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York(attended by 350 people in persons and 102,000 people online ). In 2024, research findings and oral histories will be shared as part of the Hub-led satellite event for the UN Decade Conference 'Presenting Transdisciplinary Toolbox for transformative Ocean Governance' in April 2024 (Barcelona) and the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024 (Rome) with a diverse category of stakeholders including governments, private sector, civil society, and researchers. The Hub-led satellite event for the UN Decade Conference will include a live performance of an excerpt from the Umkosi Wenala theatre play. The engagement at the international level is expected to further co-develop the Hub research and policy contributions on how to make marine protection more inclusive, just and support multi-species flourishing (human and more-than-human alike), and create new/strengthen alliances with international human rights bodies and other international actors that contribute to the protection of human rights at the national level. |
| URL | https://vimeo.com/791847743/b95e473231 |
| Description | ADVANCING MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING FOR THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN |
| Organisation | Macquarie University |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The multi-funded Algoa Bay project at the Nelson Mandela University, South African, and its collaboration with the Hub (as a cross-scale case study) has been recognised for integrating disciplines and expertise in marine spatial planning, with particular attention on innovations in taking a system approach and using a social-ecological lens. The research has been upscaled to the regional level through the development of: 1) a framework for marine spatial planning in the Western Indian Ocean; 2) concept note on how to implement the framework and its importance; and 3) a policy brief funded by UNEP. The concept note was presented in 2021 to the Conference of the Parties of the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management, and Development of the Coastal and Marine Environment of the Eastern Africa region, and the framework was presented at the multi-stakeholder conference of the Western Indian Ocean Governance and Exchange Network (WIOGEN) by Hub Deputy Director Bernadette Snow. The framework is now expected to be integrated into national planning and ocean governance processes in the Western Indian Ocean). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partner in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: UNEP, Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Nairobi Convention, Kenya; Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, South Africa • Research organisation in the Global North: Macquarie University, Australia |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP is a project partner of the Hub and is hosting the Secretariat of the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management, and Development of the Coastal and Marine Environment of the Eastern Africa region. The United Nations Environment Programme hosted the 1985 conference of plenipotentiaries for the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. The Convention entered into force in 1996. The Nairobi Convention is part of UNEP's Regional Seas Programme. It aims to address the accelerating degradation of the world's oceans and coastal areas through the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. It does this by engaging countries that share the Western Indian Ocean in actions to protect their shared marine environment. The Nairobi Convention-signed by Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, and the Republic of South Africa - provides a platform for governments, civil society, and the private sector to work together for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. The Contracting Parties to the Convention are part of more than 143 countries that participate in 18 Regional Seas initiatives (For more information read: https://www.nairobiconvention.org/nairobi-convention/who-we-are/). This collaboration took place as part of the UNEP/Secretariat of the Nairobi Convention aims to realise the vision of the Convention, aimed at increasing the capacity of the Western Indian Ocean nations to protect, manage, and develop their coastal and marine environment. This collaboration has notable policy impacts. UNEP recognized the significance of the Algoa Bay team's contribution and invited presentation at Science to Policy Forum for the UNEP/Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean on 25 March 2021 that was co-organized by UNEP Nairobi Convention, United Nations Development Programme, Western Indian Ocean Marine Association, and the Global Environment Facility. Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University including Dr Denning Metuge, Professor Amanda Lombard, and Dr Bernadette Snow have also submitted a concept note on "A regional Marine Spatial Planning strategy for the Western Indian Ocean" to the UNEP Nairobi Convention Western Indian Ocean Regional Science to Policy Meeting in September 2021. |
| Impact | Concept Note Submission to the United Nations Environment Programme Nairobi Convention Western Indian Ocean Regional Science to Policy Meeting September 2021, https://nairobiconvention.org/clearinghouse/sites/default/files/WIO%20MSP%20Policy%20Brief_6%20Oct2021.pdf. Framework - not for public yet. Methodological Tool - not for public yet as will go out to tender for further work. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | ADVANCING MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING FOR THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN |
| Organisation | Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association |
| Country | Tanzania, United Republic of |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The multi-funded Algoa Bay project at the Nelson Mandela University, South African, and its collaboration with the Hub (as a cross-scale case study) has been recognised for integrating disciplines and expertise in marine spatial planning, with particular attention on innovations in taking a system approach and using a social-ecological lens. The research has been upscaled to the regional level through the development of: 1) a framework for marine spatial planning in the Western Indian Ocean; 2) concept note on how to implement the framework and its importance; and 3) a policy brief funded by UNEP. The concept note was presented in 2021 to the Conference of the Parties of the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management, and Development of the Coastal and Marine Environment of the Eastern Africa region, and the framework was presented at the multi-stakeholder conference of the Western Indian Ocean Governance and Exchange Network (WIOGEN) by Hub Deputy Director Bernadette Snow. The framework is now expected to be integrated into national planning and ocean governance processes in the Western Indian Ocean). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partner in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: UNEP, Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Nairobi Convention, Kenya; Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, South Africa • Research organisation in the Global North: Macquarie University, Australia |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP is a project partner of the Hub and is hosting the Secretariat of the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management, and Development of the Coastal and Marine Environment of the Eastern Africa region. The United Nations Environment Programme hosted the 1985 conference of plenipotentiaries for the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. The Convention entered into force in 1996. The Nairobi Convention is part of UNEP's Regional Seas Programme. It aims to address the accelerating degradation of the world's oceans and coastal areas through the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. It does this by engaging countries that share the Western Indian Ocean in actions to protect their shared marine environment. The Nairobi Convention-signed by Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, and the Republic of South Africa - provides a platform for governments, civil society, and the private sector to work together for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. The Contracting Parties to the Convention are part of more than 143 countries that participate in 18 Regional Seas initiatives (For more information read: https://www.nairobiconvention.org/nairobi-convention/who-we-are/). This collaboration took place as part of the UNEP/Secretariat of the Nairobi Convention aims to realise the vision of the Convention, aimed at increasing the capacity of the Western Indian Ocean nations to protect, manage, and develop their coastal and marine environment. This collaboration has notable policy impacts. UNEP recognized the significance of the Algoa Bay team's contribution and invited presentation at Science to Policy Forum for the UNEP/Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean on 25 March 2021 that was co-organized by UNEP Nairobi Convention, United Nations Development Programme, Western Indian Ocean Marine Association, and the Global Environment Facility. Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University including Dr Denning Metuge, Professor Amanda Lombard, and Dr Bernadette Snow have also submitted a concept note on "A regional Marine Spatial Planning strategy for the Western Indian Ocean" to the UNEP Nairobi Convention Western Indian Ocean Regional Science to Policy Meeting in September 2021. |
| Impact | Concept Note Submission to the United Nations Environment Programme Nairobi Convention Western Indian Ocean Regional Science to Policy Meeting September 2021, https://nairobiconvention.org/clearinghouse/sites/default/files/WIO%20MSP%20Policy%20Brief_6%20Oct2021.pdf. Framework - not for public yet. Methodological Tool - not for public yet as will go out to tender for further work. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Blue Ventures |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Blue Ventures |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Conservation International |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Environmental Justice Foundation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Fauna & Flora International |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | International Pole and Line Foundation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Rare |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Swedish Society for Nature Conservation |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | University of Namibia |
| Country | Namibia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | Wildlife Conservation Society |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES |
| Organisation | World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership began in 2021 through the FAO's existing programme to support national implementation of the FAO Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) through national legislation. To support this, One Ocean Hub co-hosted with FAO regional workshops with government, community, research, and NGO representation from Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, to identify legislative barriers to the implementation of the FAO voluntary SSF guidelines in each country, thereby contributing to national research, while co-developing a global instrument, the FAO SSF Policy and Legal diagnostic tool in April 2021. Co-design of the regional workshop with South African researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network allowed FAO to shift from a top-down approach that focused on discussing what international law requires from governments to an approach informed by local context, and responds to specific needs of SSF, through international law when national law falls short. Hub researchers facilitated SSF representatives' direct participation in the workshop in varied ways, including voice or video messages that communicated their priorities. SSF and government representatives, as well as non-legal researchers were made aware of how international law is (or is not) applied in the context of South Africa, Ghana and Namibia. This is now informing planning of further inter-disciplinary research that will guide strategies on partnerships with governments and SSF in Ghana. In addition, this regional event led to a follow-up event specifically for Namibia, in collaboration with the FAO, the Hub and the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Namibia. The webinar series organised on 10-11 June 2021 was titled 'Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries.' It was aimed at providing the evidence required to support the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, which the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was published in 2022 as part of its commitment to implement the FAO SSF Guidelines. The workshop provided an opportunity to integrate the early research findings from the One Ocean Hub into the process for the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia, notably with regard to the inclusion of the views of indigenous communities that have been displaced from the coast (Topnaar). This event led to an invitation for nominations for two experts to sit on Namibia's national task force on SSF (upon acceptance by the Ministry of Fisheries). The key research findings that were shared with FAO focused on the approaches to: • redress marginalisation of previously disadvantaged communities including those that have been historically removed from the coast e.g. the Topnaar community), and • address the diverse capacity-building needs of different stakeholder groups that are expected to benefit from or contribute to implementation (SSF associations, SSF women and youth, town councils, NGOs, and primary schools). In addition, FAO invited the Hub to co-develop two e-learning courses on implementation of the FAO Guidelines on SSF to be housed on the FAO E-learning Academy website (https://elearning.fao.org/). The courses are meant to respond to government officers' and fishers' needs respectively, to implement the FAO Guidelines. The latter will allow SSF to obtain an international certification on the FAO E-learning Academy that contributes to their professional development and recognition of SSF. Two papers by Hub colleagues in Ghana and South Africa were integrated as case studies in the first FAO e-learning course on SSF law and policy (in additions to insights arising from the joint Hub-FAO workshops). A new e-learning course will be co-developed in 2023 with a view to directly addressing the question and challenges of small-scale fishers in invoking international law and human rights in their daily interactions with authorities and other stakeholders, based on Hub partnerships with small-scale fishing organizations in Namibia, Ghana and South Africa. In addition, this allowed the Hub to bring together FAO and UNEP into a joint event during World Oceans Week 2021 to discuss directly with SSF representatives from South Africa key challenges. Towards the end of 2021, the collaboration with FAO led to an ambitious joint programme of work to advance the human rights-based approach to small scale fisheries as part of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The joint programme of work advanced understanding of the multiple threats to the rights of small-scale fishers to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, health, culture and livelihoods, and garner further support for small-scale fishers that act as environmental human rights defenders. We shared key research insights and supported small-scale fisheries representatives to speak directly about their human rights concerns in a high-level event at World Ocean Week (WOW) 2022, to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment participated. In June 2022, the Hub was invited to join the panelists of the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Fisheries at the UN Ocean Conference, and shared on that occasion the key messages from the WOW event (see report summarising key messages shared during the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/). These were then published in late 2022 as the first joint policy brief between FAO and the UNOHCHR, together with the Hub: "Applying coherently the human rights approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals" (Available here: https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). This joint programme of work also furthered partnerships with various civil society organizations. WWF Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative for the Oceans Practice reached out to the Hub to join efforts for IYAFA, including joint events at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 on the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. WWF further invited the One Ocean Hub to join: the Blue Food Alliance that aims to transform our food system to focus on health, justice, and environmental sustainability; and the SSF Network, which arose from the first SSF Summit in September 2022. In addition, Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Blue Venture, the Too-Big-To-Ignore research programme, and the IUCN Specialist Group on People and the Ocean approached the Hub to contribute to the programme of work for IYAFA. All these civil society partners emphasised how crucial it is to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fisheries-related communities of practice to protect human rights in their work. For the official closing of IYAFA (March 2023), the FAO invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to speak at the high-level closing event and the Empatheatre team from South Africa to perform "Listen to the Sea" immediately afterwards. FAO and the Hub also co-organised a series of hybrid events prior to the closing event: a workshop on art-based approaches to the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa, to explore their replicability in UN and NGO projects (Wed 29th March); a hybrid training on human rights and fisheries with the UNOHCHR and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (29th March); and a hybrid roundtable on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and small-scale fishers' human rights (31st March). As a result of these activities, the Hub's recommendations on integrating human rights in the agenda of the second SSF Summit (scheduled in July 2024; more information here: https://ssfhub.org/ssf-summit-2024) were included and the Hub was invited to become an official partner of the SSF Hub which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community, and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (November 2023). FAO invited Elisa Morgera to a workshop, 14-16 November 2023, (https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-workshop-towards-creating-an-enabling-environment-for-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries/), Rome that brought together regional and global partners, as well as from various countries, and small-scale fisheries organisations, for experience sharing and learning on the work conducted to support the implementation of the SSF Guidelines worldwide, as well as exploring potential areas of future work and collaboration and further enhancing awareness and knowledge of the SSF Guidelines. https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ Finally, the Hub summarised key findings from all these activities in a written submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who will devote his 2024 report to fisheries, with a focus on the SSF Guidelines. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy. • partner organisations based in the Global South: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), UK. • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; ICCA Consortium, Malaysia; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; SmartFish AC, Mexico. • Research organization based in the Global North: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland; Blue Ventures, UK; Too Big To Ignore, Canada; The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty's Fisheries Working Group, Italy; Conservation International, US; Environmental Defense Fund, US; Fauna & Flora, UK; Blue Ventures, UK; Ocean Outcomes, US; Wildlife Conservation Society, US; Rare, US; WildAid, US; Future of Fish Seattle, US; International Institute for Environment and Development, UK; International Pole & Line Foundation, UK; Oceana, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | FAO supported the development of the Guidelines on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and had already run a pilot regional workshop on their implementation through legislation. FAO is a member of the Executive Team of the One Ocean Hub and based on the early findings from the Hub on the need to further clarify the human rights-based approach to fisheries (Morgera and Nakamura, 2021), FAO invited the Hub to co-develop a diagnostic tool, co-organize another regional workshop in Hub countries and develop further e-learning tools. FAO provided USD 37,450 of in-kind match funding from FAO consultants to support course development. To support the planning and the organisation of the joint programme for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022, the FAO and UNEP has also provided in-kind support, in the form of staff time. The expansion of the partnership to the High Commissioner for Human Rights is a first for the ocean community and has provided invaluable insights for the Hub researchers, and their UN and civil society partners on how to rely on the international human rights monitoring system to support small-scale fishers on the ground when governments are falling behind in implementing their international commitments. The partnership has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Law School, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast and University of Namibia provide legal expertise. Rhodes University, Cape Town University, University of Namibia and University of Cape Coast provide sociological research co-developed with small-scale fishing communities. As an inter-disciplinary and cross-scale group we made significant progress towards channeling available legal, technical and strategic international support towards ocean-dependent communities in focus countries, as well as upscaling relevant findings to benefit other ODA-recipient countries. We contributed to focusing international support on SSF according to their needs as co-identified with Hub researchers. Our cross-scale approach has also opened pathways for marshalling international support towards, indigenous peoples and coastal communities negatively affected by blue economy initiatives ("ocean defenders"), and women and children negatively affected by unsustainable uses of the ocean. Support at the international level lends cachet to local advocacy efforts and influences systemic change at the national level. We achieved this progress by developing work programmes with international partners that are active across scales (national, regional and international), forming a nested approach to pathways to the Hub's national and international impact, and by: • co-developing research from the outset with international partners; • systematically sharing early findings through partners' ongoing capacity-building activities or co-developing new capacity-building activities, to engage in direct dialogue with their beneficiary country representatives; • proactively sharing early findings that contribute to international partners' own planning and agenda-setting activities; and • strategically utilising the strength of Hub partnerships with international organisations to leverage further support towards Hub objectives from other international partners. In doing so, we have built the capacity of: • South African, Ghanaian and Namibian community representatives to engage directly in international debates, while addressing their practical constraints and other, more pressing demands on their time; • communities to participate in national policy-making processes; • researchers to engage directly with international partners, as an essential skillset for researchers who have not yet worked across scales, so they can develop meaningful cross-scale networks; and • international partners and processes to adapt their modalities to accommodate community representatives' needs. As part of the Hub's ongoing partnership with FAO, Hub researchers from Ghana, Namibia and South Africa contributed to the development and launch of a new international database called SSF-LEX (https://ssflex.fao.org/) that serves to identify relevant national law and policy instruments for small-scale fisheries and to assess whether there is alignment with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). SSF-LEX is FAO's free online legal and policy database entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. It provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The purpose of the database is to help identify good State practices and needs for improvements. Hub early-career researcher Julia Nakamura (University of Strathclyde, UK) co-led the team in FAO that developed SSF-LEX, while Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) reviewed and contributed to the SSF-LEX's country profiles of Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa (More information on Hub's contributions to the SSF-LEX is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). Julia Nakamura co-organised the launch of 'SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database' at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress-Africa (Cape Town, South Africa, 21-23 November 2022) on 23 November 2022, with a view to addressing fisheries managers, legal practitioners, scientists, academics, governments representatives, non-governmental stakeholders, fishers, and fishing communities. Jackie Sunde was invited as a panelists, who reflected on the usefulness of SSF-LEX to fishers, academics and human rights lawyers, from the South African perspective (More information on the SSF-LEX launch event could be found here: https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/news-detail/en/c/1624163/). In November 2023, the Hub became an official partner of the Small-Scale Fisheries Resource & Collaboration Hub ("SSF Hub"), which is a platform, community and a set of supporting initiatives fosters learning, information sharing and capacity enhancement to the benefit of the community and accelerates the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication). The Hub has been participating in regular meetings with the SSF Hub partners, sharing research, approaches and resources to support the following vision: "Small-scale fisheries and communities that are resilient, thriving and implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) (https://oneoceanhub.org/becoming-official-partners-of-the-ssf-hub/). In October 2023 the SSF Hub shared various resources in their online library/ resources database such as our video recordings of "Fostering Cooperation Among Relevant UN bodies to Advance Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights" organised for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion on 14 November 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fostering-cooperation-among-relevant-un-bodies-advance-small-scale-fishers-human-rights); "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities & Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" organized on 7 June 2023 for the UN World Oceans Day 2022 (https://ssfhub.org/resource/exploring-challenges-opportunities-alliances-protection-small-scale-fishers-human-rights) and "A Fishing Heritage in Peril", Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales" (https://ssfhub.org/resource/fishing-heritage-peril-artwork-deep-fund-project-fishers-tales). A complete list of the One Ocean Hub resources that are available on the SSF Hub can be found here: https://ssfhub.org/contributing-organization/one-ocean-hub. The Hub contributed to three submissions to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to give inputs on his upcoming report on fisheries: • The KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum provided evidence on limitations in public participation in decision-making in South Africa, including on oil and gas development, as well as ocean master plan and marine protected areas. In addition, the evidence called attention to the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' tenure. • Jackie Sunde, University of Cape Town, also provided evidence on the lack of recognition of small-scale fishers' human rights in South Africa in the context of the expansion of marine transport, ports and energy infrastructure. The submission also noted the need to recognize women's contributions to the value chain in the traditional line fish sector, as it provides multiple sources of food to different groups in a community but is not factored into fisheries policy making and rights allocation. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e19cnpbel7h4a7lap7ked6fdch. • A submission by Elisa Morgera shared comparative insights from research in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia and in the Caribbean, about the misrecognition and disrespect of the cultural rights of small-scale fishers (their spiritual and cultural connections to marine spaces, their distinctive knowledge systems, and their customary laws) - within and outside the fisheries sector - as one of the root causes of the violations of their right to food, as well as their participation in relevant policy processes. This submission also pointed to: lack of strategic environmental assessments for various policy areas that negatively affect fisheries and marine biodiversity (such as mining, infrastructure development, tourism), as well as the lack of national legal requirements for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale fisheries (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/reel.12462); the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; and good practices that have strengthened the recognition, protection and remedies for small-scale fishers (Empatheatre in South Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf; documentary on fishers' songs in Ghana, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf; documentary with displaced Indigenous peoples in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; Coastal Justice Network in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/; and pop-up clinics to provide women in small-scale fishing communities legal advice, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf: and direct academic research and action towards their legal needs. Read the written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/m1aqqg2i11g7dmfa1ddsvqpvag. This collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, Hub's research, experience, and practices have been incorporated directly in the co-development of the following high-level outputs to support sustainable small-scale fisheries: • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. The Tool aims to support the identification of barriers and opportunities to support the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Context of Food in national laws and policies. (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022). This five-lesson course provides guidance on how to assess existing legal and policy frameworks for fisheries in a specific country, explains how to legislate for small-scale fisheries, and outlines the main components of small-scale fisheries-specific legislation. It aims at helping professionals engaged in dialogue on policy and legislation processes and actions at all levels relating to small-scale fisheries, as well as at academic institutions and members of the general public interested in the subject (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. In the context of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, FAO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the collaborative research initiative One Ocean Hub have been collaborating to raise awareness of the full scope of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries. This policy brief aims to clarify the scope of the international human rights-based approach, including the corresponding State obligations, and to highlight how the coherent protection of these rights supports the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). SSF-LEX provides country profiles with information about national small-scale fisheries socioeconomic data, international and regional commitments, constitutional provisions, institutional arrangements, definition(s) of 'small-scale fisheries' and related terms, and a list of national legislation and policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. The database also provides brief analyses of the national regulatory and policy framework for selected countries, covering sustainable governance of tenure and resources management, social development and decent work, value-chains and trade, gender equality, disaster risks, and climate change issues. The database helps identify good State practices and needs for improvements (https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/). • Hub research contributed to the planning of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with FAO and 60 organisations who were supporters of IYAFA (e.g. WWF, Blue Ventures. Significance of Hub's contributions was evident from invitation to Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to present Hub's research findings at the official high-level closing ceremony of IYAFA at the FAO headquarters in Rome (see outcomes section of this entry). In 2024, the Hub is working with FAO, SSF Hub, and supporters of IYAFA to strategise and plan for the upcoming SSF Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has achieved societal impacts by (1) raising awareness on the needs, interests, and human rights of small-scale fishers among national and international stakeholders and (2) strengthening the capacity of a total of 1,466 stakeholders from diverse professional categories including small-scale fisher, researcher, public sector, NGO, and international organization from Africa, South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia Europe and North America. Events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration have also strengthened gender equality because they speak to predominantly women audience. On average 56% of attendees were women. This is interesting because despite marine sector is a male dominated sector, all our events spoke to a predominately female audience, which also showed the interests and needs for capacity building for women in this field. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022, co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub. Available from here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries" published in October 2022, available from here: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881). • A joint policy brief by FAO, One Ocean Hub, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022. Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub. It entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Available from here: https://ssflex.fao.org/). • One Ocean Hub's small-scale fisheries focused webpage: https://oneoceanhub.org/iyafa/. Peer-reviewed journal articles • Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • Golo HK, Erinosho B. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • Ibrahim S and Golo HK. (2023). "Right to Culture in Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Governance in Ghana: Reflections of FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Maritime Studies (under review, submitted September 2023). • Kulundu-Bolus I, McGarry D and Lotz-Sisitka R "Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world." Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 36, pp.111-130, https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Mbatha P (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Nakamura J, Weston JCL and Lennan M (2023). "International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38 (2023, pp. 1-29, https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141. • Pereira T and Erwin K (2023). "Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice, Ecosystems and People, 19:1, https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Rudolph TB, Ruckelshaus M, Swilling M, Allison EH, Österblom H, Gelcich S & Mbatha P. (2020). "A transition to sustainable ocean governance." Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17410-2 • Sowman M et al (2021). "Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713 • Sowman M and Sunde J (2021). "A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa." Marine Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. • Morgera E and Nakamura J, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2 Book chapters: • Ansah JW, Oduro GY, and Wilson D. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Christoffels-du Plessis A., Erinosha, B., Major L., Morgera E., Sunde J. and Vermeylen S. Navigating a sea of laws: Small-scale Fishing Communities and Customary Rights in Ghana and South Africa. In Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (Eds) The Palgrave Book of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan. Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Christoffels-Du Plessis, A., and Sunde, J. 2020. Unlocking legal and policy frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa. In Kerezi, V., Nakamura, J., El Halimi, M., and Chuenpagdee, R. (Eds.) Unlocking Legal and Policy Frameworks for Small-Scale Fisheries: Global Illustrations. TBTI Global Publication Series, St. John's, NL, Canada, http://toobigtoignore.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/South-Africa_01.pdf • Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20. • Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • Kanyimba AT & Jonas MN (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15 • Warikandwa TV, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f • Warikandwa TW, Shakalela E, Libebe EL (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14. • Warikandwa TW (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • B Erinosho, L Major, E Morgera, J Sunde and S Vermeylen. (2022). "Navigating a Sea of Laws: the Quest of Small scale Fishing Communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights (Chapter 18)" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_18 • JW Ansah, GY Oduro, and D Wilson. (2022). "Narratives of Non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day, Ghana" in Blue Heritage, Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories. Boswell, R. O'Kane, D., Hills (Eds). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_19 • Book chapter: E Morgera and J Nakamura, "Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants' Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines" in Brunori et al, Commentary on the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (Routledge, 2022, available from here https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003139874-7/shedding-light-human-rights-small-scale-fishers-elisa-morgera-julia-nakamura; available on SSRN since 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_i d=3850133). • HK Golo, S Ibrahim, B Erinosho. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478 • HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. • TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. • TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 • TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Blogposts and other publications summarising the events and engagements. • Erinosho B, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/. • Febrica S. "Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks," 29 November 2020, https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/. • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," 28 April 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S, "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • Febrica S, Nakamura J, Sunde J & Warikandwa T, "Strengthening knowledge on national policy and law and their alignment with the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines," 31 January 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-knowledge-on-national-policy-and-law-and-their-alignment-with-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/. • Khan U, "Exploring the blue carbon potential in Namibia," 3 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/. • Morgera E, "Key messages: high level event on small-scale fishers' rights," June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/key-messages-high-level-event-on-small-scale-fishers-rights/ • Mthombeni M, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Empatheatre - Changing Understandings and Engagements with ocean dependent communities: Lalela uLwandle," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives Through Documentary Filmmaking," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf; • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Hub Engagement in Ghana -Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-Scale Fisheries," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact Story: Exploring the value of International Human Rights for Women in Small-scale Fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Humanrights_SSFs_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Impact story: Sharing Unique Practices and Perspectives through Documentary Filmmaking," https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Ghana_Cocooned_12.10.23.pdf • One Ocean Hub, "Fishers' songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A documentary film 'Cocooned in harmony' screens at the Centre for contemporary arts, "6 April 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • One Ocean Hub, "Partnering with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries," 31 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub, "Opening a platform for women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana," 29 January 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ • One Ocean Hub, "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ • One Ocean Hub, "Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: reflections arising from our gender and fisheries workshops," 24 October 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-arising-from-four-gender-and-fisheries-workshops/. • Pereira T, Francis B and McGarry D, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Pereira Kaplan T , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ • Pereira Kaplan T, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/. • Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ • Sunde J. (2022). "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ • Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," 4 May 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Sunde J, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D, "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two)," 28 February 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/ • Wilson D, "Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa," 1 March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ • Wilson D, "Customary law, tangible and intangible heritage, and ocean governance workshops," 27 June 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/ Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • UN Ocean Conference side-event titled "Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries" (led by FAO), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to: Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets," 29 June 2024, in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. The event was attended by 50 attendees. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; watch the recording here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg Capacity Building Session for UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q. This event was attended by 62 attendees. Workshops co-organised with FAO • Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 12-15 April 2021 in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana (April 2021). A total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). • The FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - "SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database" at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2022. This event was attended by 100 attendees. • A series of two days events titled "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. These series were attended by 70 attendees. UN World Oceans Day Events • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School • Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: - Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • One Ocean Hub's three led panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022: - The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small scale fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. - Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Video, film outputs • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • Defenders of the Ocean, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion speaker: Camila Awo Dzidzor One Ocean Hub', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth |
| Organisation | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global began in June 2020 through the Friends of the United Nations World Ocean Day (FOWOD) working group. The FOWOD is chaired by Peace Boat and co-led by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) and the Oceanic Global. It is an informal community of individuals and organisations active in the field of ocean affairs to support the marking of United Nations World Oceans Day, 8 June, and related activities. This year is the fifth year running that the One Ocean Hub has been the FOWOD. To date, the Hub has co-organised and hosted 23 unique events through the UN World Ocean Day 2020-2023, which are listed below. These events were organised with representation from across all Hub focus countries. Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global through FOWOD led to closer collaboration with Peace Boat on youth empowerment and ocean-climate action at 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Portugal and Climate COP27 in Egypt. During the UN Ocean Conference, the One Ocean Hub engaged with Peace Boat and other partners on the following key messages: • Inclusive ocean knowledge co-production supports the development of fair and sustainable blue economies. • The Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved if human rights are mainstreamed in ocean science and policy. • The latest understanding of deep-sea ecosystems, and their benefits to humanity, must be considered in decisions that can impact the ocean. • The arts provide a space for transformative dialogue about blue economies that respond to the human rights of indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers, including women and children. The Hub has contributed and co-hosted ten in-person, virtual, and hybrid events on 27 June - 1 July 2022. Two of these in-person events were led by Peace Boat on 27 June 2022: 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent) and Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Blue Planet Alliance). The 'Scaling up Ocean Action' event was co-organised by the Republic of Kiribati and Peace Boat with the Government of the Republic of Palau, Oceanic Global, One Ocean Hub, Ciencia Viva, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, Proteus Group, United by the Sea, and the Blue Planet Alliance. The event explored the connection amongst partner organisations working towards education for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, as well as the importance of innovation for the ocean, and youth empowerment for the future generation of ocean leaders. The Hub was represented by Dr Bernadette Snow, Deputy Director of One Ocean Hub, who shared the Hub's research findings and experience in empowering children and young people. The 'High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action' aimed to expand networks of leaders in ocean space. The Hub further collaborated with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at the UN Climate COP27 (Sharm el-Sheikh, 6-18 November 2022) to advance Children's Environmental Rights Initiative key messages: 1. Ocean-based action need to specifically consider children rights, including the assessment of blue carbon initiative, adaptation and loss and damage. 2. We need we need guidelines on fisheries as part of ocean-based adaptation approaches to strengthen resilience, prevent damage and protect children's rights 3. Ocean-climate action must limit the impacts of ocean acidification on children's rights. The Hub contributed to the Roundtable "Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit" led by Oceanic Global on 11 November 2022 and together with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global co-organised Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised) on the same day. The Hub together with Mara Ghilan, a youth representative from the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Peace Boat and Oceanic Global also co-organised a side-event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea' on 16 November 2022 at the first-ever Children and Youth Pavilion at UN Climate COP Blue Zone. This Hub-led event brought together children and youth representatives, organisations that work closely with youth, experts, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. The event focused on biodiversity finance and the ocean-climate-human rights nexus. It provided a platform to hear young voices on nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation and enable inter-generational learning on human rights and climate finance. The event explored what lessons can be learned from nature-based solutions in promoting and protecting children's and youth human rights, as attention on ocean-based climate action grows. It was designed to clarify how we can respect human rights standards in ocean-based climate solutions, by learning lessons from land-based climate action. During the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub was invited to contribute to the UN-led celebrations of World Ocean Day. Mpume Mthombeni delivered a performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York. Mpume Mthombeni is an actress, writer and director from South Africa, and a Hub researcher. She is a Sangoma or traditional healer who heals not with traditional medicine (umuthi) but rather with words and stories. She is the co-director of Empatheatre, a theatre collective that creates public-storytelling processes in which people across different power and agency can engage with decision making in embodied and contextual ways. Mpume shared how storytelling, and story-listening dissolves the barriers and disconnections between disciplines and departments, sculpts new evidence, new ways of valuing knowing and knowledge, and it creates new ways of making meaning with the ocean. Their co-created films and theatre productions have been used as evidence in court cases and in national and international policy development. Her performance elicited three rounds of applause and a standing ovation. In addition, the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS co-hosted the following three in-person events on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York at Peace Boat office at 777 United Nations Plaza, in New York: 1. Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June. The event enabled audience to experience multi-generational stories of evolving connections to the ocean from the perspectives of small-scale fishers, traditional healers, marine scientists and educators, and reflected on the importance of history, cultural heritage and different forms of knowledge for inclusive and integrated ocean governance. 2. International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023. The event explored the wonder of Indigenous knowledge on the role of the ocean in planetary ecological processes and areas of contact between Indigenous knowledge and ocean science. It addressed ways in which ocean researchers and decision-makers can work together with Indigenous and local knowledge holders. 3. Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023. The event explored a variety of art-based research approaches that support knowledge co-production on the ocean across different disciplines and cultures, and discussed how creative methods to better engage with, and protect the human rights of Indigenous and local knowledge holders within ocean governance could be adapted to collaborative projects and inclusion decision-making processes. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: UNDOALOS, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Conflict Research Network West Africa, Ghana; the Government of the Republic of Kiribati; and the Government of the Republic of Palau; • Research organisations based in Global North: Sciences Po, France; Grantham Research Institute, UK; Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Switzerland • Partner organisations based in Global North: Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, France. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Oceanic Global together with the UNDOALOS has been leading the development of the UN World Ocean Day programme since 2020. Oceanic Global has invited the One Ocean Hub to respond to global call for events and exhibitions and since 2022, Oceanic Global has approached the Hub directly to ask for nomination of speakers from the Hub. The 2023 theme for the UN World Oceans Day was 'Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. Time to put the ocean first!', and Oceanic Global invited the Hub to nominate a speaker in relation to 'capacity building: a story demonstrating the importance of capacity-building in addressing ocean issues'. In addition, as part of the partnership under the FOWOD, Peace Boat and the Hub co-organised five events during the UN World Ocean Week in New York. Peace Boat is a Japan-based international NGO working to promote peace, human rights, and sustainability. Guided by the SDGs, each year Peace Boar organises three global voyages and two shorter Asian regional voyages. Both onboard and in-port, Peace Boat programmes engage youth through travel and education to explore the main aspects of Peace Boat's activities - peace, human rights, and sustainability. At the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat co-organised with the Hub, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kiribati to the UN the event titled 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement', which was attended by 300 in-person participants and showcased the important role of youth in scaling up ocean action, in particular youth from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the front lines of the ocean crisis. Stocktaking successes and challenges since 2017, it also looked towards further developments and collaborations for empowerment and engagement of SIDS youth with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. In addition, Peace Boat has approached the Hub to discuss participating in their cruise programme (https://pbcruise.com/cruise/115).. This would be part of a programme that Peace Boat launched at the first (2017) UN Ocean Conference - the Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Programme in collaboration with the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) for youth leaders from states on the front line of climate change and marine degradation. They have since regularly travelled onboard Peace Boat's ship to engage in capacity building and awareness raising through public engagement, meeting with government and civil society representatives. The programme has been carried out through partnerships with national governments, academia, and civil society organisations to promote the implementation of SDG14. Each time, participants with diverse backgrounds in science, public policy, the arts, grassroots, and international activism shared their skills and experiences, as well as the diverse situations in their own countries. They visited ports in Europe and concluded in New York with events in collaboration with UN partners at the United Nations Headquarters including during UN World Oceans Day. To celebrate the beginning of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat in partnership with the One Ocean Hub, Blue Planet Alliance, Earth X, United by the Sea, Proteus Ocean Group, Water X, and Solgaard also co-organised a High-Level Reception on the WaterX Yacht. The event gathered 100 high-level attendees, including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. The success of this initiative led to further collaboration between the One Ocean Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global, Blue Planet Alliance, and Extreme Hangout to co-organise the Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner on 11 November 2022 at the UN Climate COP27 in Egypt. The event highlighted ocean innovation for climate action, including representatives from sustainable businesses, the United Nations, NGOs, civil society, artists, musicians, and youth who are making a positive impact for our climate. Together we are exploring opportunities to build our networks, mainstream the role of ocean in climate action and finance, and create lasting change for people and the planet for future UN Climate COPs and other international processes. Oceanic Global is an international NGO that sheds light on humanity's essential relationship to the ocean and empowers individuals, communities, and industries to create positive change. Oceanic Global works closely with youths and creates educational experiences, consults on sustainable operations, as well as engages local communities to generate measurable impact for collective wellbeing. Drawing from our close collaboration as part of the FOWOD, the Hub and Oceanic Global have collaborated closely at the UN Climate COP27. Oceanic Global led the Ocean X Climate Summit that the Hub contributed to. The event immersed global stakeholders in the importance and potential of the ocean within the climate change narrative, and to support more stakeholder action for the ocean and all it sustains. The Ocean X Climate Summit was organized in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. As part of the Summit, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow, contributed to the 'Roundtable: Creating a Common Agenda for our Shared Ocean'. Dr Snow's intervention highlighted the importance of the inclusion of different stakeholders including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, young and people and children and different knowledge systems to enhance the visibility and place of the ocean-climate nexus in international convenings and in national action. The Hub also facilitated video remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana, that was screened before a panel discussion on 'Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate' at the Summit. Dzidzor's video remarks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU) highlighted the direct impacts of climate change on children's rights to a healthy environment, health, and education, and the need for children's participation in decision making around ocean and climate change. Dzidzor's intervention at the Summit was made possible through support provided by Hub researchers in Ghana including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast), Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Ghana) and Dr Ibrahim Sulley (Conflict Research Network West Africa - Ghana Office). Both Oceanic Global and Peace Boat were also involved in co-organising the Hub-led event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea for the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt on 16 November 2022. At the event children from South Africa, Ghana, Greenland, and Samoa, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, David Boyd, and experts from the One Ocean Hub, Sciences Po, and Grantham Research Institute, LSE spoke about what they deemed as the most important priorities to address the challenges posed by climate change, why leadership and empowerment of young people are so important for tackling these challenges, and explored approaches needed to ensure protection of human rights. Representatives of youth and organisations that work closely with youth such as Oceanic Global, Peace Boat, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and Global Youth Biodiversity Network shared their experiences of youth climate advocacy work and the major challenges to youth climate action. They stressed that: • It is important for policy makers not only to hear youth's views, but also to integrate them into governance; • the difficulties to gain accreditation, the economic costs of participation, and the lack of technical assistance and capacity-building for youth to engage effectively as observers or negotiators hinder youth to participate in decision making process, such as COP27. Decision makers need to understand barriers that youth face to improve participation of youth in key ocean-climate decision making spaces. • Youth are fighting to reverse the impacts of climate change and to mainstream rights-based approaches, to ensure that children and youth vulnerabilities to climate change are recognised. • It is important to fund research in the Global South, particularly research carried out by young researchers to inform future climate change action. • Fighting for climate justice and equity is an intergenerational effort: it is critical to acknowledge existing work and ancient wisdom while uplifting and empowering the next generation. In 2023 the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS co-hosted five in-person events on 7-9 June 2023 to celebrate the UN World Oceans Week in New York. These events built upon the success of the Empatheatre live-performance events at Climate COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh (November 2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Rome (March 2023) as well as the insights arising from the Hub's workshop on arts-based research approaches to protect the human rights of small-scale fisheries in Rome (March 2023) (More information here https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf). The Hub's participation in the 2023 UN World Oceans Week has strengthened the Hub's contributions to UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and prepared the way towards further contributions at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024, and the preparation for the third UN Ocean Conference 2025. Three events were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Peace Boat, an official UN Ocean Decade partner that focuses on youth empowerment. These events linked the Hub research and engagement activities on intersection of art, ocean culture and heritage with one of the goals of Ocean Decade 'An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean in relation to human wellbeing and sustainable development'. It is expected that the Hub will be working more closely with Peace Boat in 2024 following the official appointment of the Hub as a UN Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity in October 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/). The two art events we co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS for the UN World Oceans Week were a 'Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance' on 7 June 2023 and the 'International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making' on 7 June 2023 helped to draw members of the Friends of the World Oceans Day's attention to the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). In the run up to the UN World Ocean Day, the password-protected film of "Indlela Yokuphila" was shared by the Hub Support Team in February 2023 with the three organisations who led the Friends of the World Oceans Day working group: the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat. This has led to the invitation to the Empatheatre team member, Mpume Mthombeni, to be one of the spotlight speakers at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 8 June 2023. Like the two previous side-events, the third event 'Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa' on 9 June 2023 has successively brought local perspectives into international conversations that is deemed rare at international events. Mpume Mthombeni, an artist and a traditional healer from South Africa, participated directly as a panellist in this event and the other two side-events co-organised with Peace Boat and the Blue Planet Alliance (https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/). Mpume Mthombeni's invited performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration on 8 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" was facilitated by the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global and Peace Boat. It highlighted the importance to engage traditional knowledge and traditional knowledge holders in a respectful manner. Mpume was the only speaker who received three rounds of applause and standing ovation at the event (Full event recording is available here: https://unworldoceansday.org; Individual segment of Mpume Mthombeni performance is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU). The 2023 UN World Ocean Day was attended by 350+ in-person attendees at the UN Headquarters, 102,000 online viewers, reaching 110 UN member states and 380 different organisations (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N0oI_O_H3hnvG4EKLmCxSEP25-mMMxwK/view). In December 2023, the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat have extended another invitation to the Hub to nominate a speaker for the 2024 UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters, New York. The collaboration titled "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth" has demonstrable policy and public services impacts as it has raised awareness and built a network of civil society organisations, academic, governments and UN bodies to advance children and young people's human rights to a healthy ocean at various international processes including the UN World Oceans Day from 2020 to 2023, the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, and Climate COP27 in Egypt. This collaboration also delivered societal impacts by providing capacity building to 104,787 government officials, civil society, representatives of regional and international organisations, businesses, children and youth activists, academics and students on the interlinkages between ocean, climate change and human rights through the co-organisation of a total of 28 online, in-person and hybrid events. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. For events where the Hub had been able to collect information about attendees' gender, the findings showed that over 50 per cent of attendees were women. This confirms the interest of women in discussion around ocean governance and calls for the need for increase of capacity building for women in this area. |
| Impact | List of 23 side-events that the One Ocean Hub has co-organised and hosted for the UN World Ocean Day as part of the FOWOD community. These events were attended by 104,187 participants including government officials, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, researchers and students. For detailed information see the collaboration entry titled "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance": • Art for the Ocean, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3X07HXs • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RmTjqW • Breaking Laws on the Sea, 12 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3l1YtfT • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3wMyYSw • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life), 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3qr7Mpf • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea), 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3KSS1Qj • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3HhMceY • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RlvqQJ • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: https://bit.ly/3YdrgfR • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3DwmMJm • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue!, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3Ygea1G • Wonders of the Deep, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3kY8ieY • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU • Intangible Cultural Ocean Heritage and Participatory Research Methods, 8 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/CTzCTnQNoD4 • Canoe Culture and Heritage Ghana, 9 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/tdWFQ9Znank • Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning, 10 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/mP4LU8_4KK8 • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The Hub partnered with Peace Boat at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal in the following events: 1. Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (led by Peace Boat), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). See here: https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent. The event was attended by 250 participants. 2. Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance), 27 June 2022 Venue: WaterX - Powering Nautical Events, Doca Alcântara. See here: https://bit.ly/UNOcean-Reception-June27. The event was attended by 100 high-level attendees including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. List of collaborative side-events with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at COP27 1. Roundtable: Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit (led by Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort 58 Gardens Bay Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. More information here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. 2. Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, EXTREME Hangout, the Lawn, Park Regency Hotel, Sharm El Sheikh. More information here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ocean-innovation-partnership-dinner-tickets-461929372187 and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/98fsliln6dckk2lgai7lq246hn. The event was attended by 100 attendees. 3. A video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana was screened before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit organised by Oceanic Global on 11th November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. For more information see here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/ and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU. The event was attended by 100 attendees. Mpume Mthombeni's performance at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. Blogposts Febrica S and Snow B. (2022). "Sailing to the climate COP27."Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/. Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/. Febrica S. (2022). "Contributing to defining the 2022 UN Ocean Conference Interactive Dialogue." https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-defining-the-2022-un-ocean-conference-interactive-dialogues/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Peer-reviewed article Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No.26." Environmental Policy and Law. DOI 10.3233/EPL-219052. Available from here: https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052. Open access article is available here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4284824. Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth |
| Organisation | London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) |
| Department | Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global began in June 2020 through the Friends of the United Nations World Ocean Day (FOWOD) working group. The FOWOD is chaired by Peace Boat and co-led by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) and the Oceanic Global. It is an informal community of individuals and organisations active in the field of ocean affairs to support the marking of United Nations World Oceans Day, 8 June, and related activities. This year is the fifth year running that the One Ocean Hub has been the FOWOD. To date, the Hub has co-organised and hosted 23 unique events through the UN World Ocean Day 2020-2023, which are listed below. These events were organised with representation from across all Hub focus countries. Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global through FOWOD led to closer collaboration with Peace Boat on youth empowerment and ocean-climate action at 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Portugal and Climate COP27 in Egypt. During the UN Ocean Conference, the One Ocean Hub engaged with Peace Boat and other partners on the following key messages: • Inclusive ocean knowledge co-production supports the development of fair and sustainable blue economies. • The Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved if human rights are mainstreamed in ocean science and policy. • The latest understanding of deep-sea ecosystems, and their benefits to humanity, must be considered in decisions that can impact the ocean. • The arts provide a space for transformative dialogue about blue economies that respond to the human rights of indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers, including women and children. The Hub has contributed and co-hosted ten in-person, virtual, and hybrid events on 27 June - 1 July 2022. Two of these in-person events were led by Peace Boat on 27 June 2022: 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent) and Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Blue Planet Alliance). The 'Scaling up Ocean Action' event was co-organised by the Republic of Kiribati and Peace Boat with the Government of the Republic of Palau, Oceanic Global, One Ocean Hub, Ciencia Viva, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, Proteus Group, United by the Sea, and the Blue Planet Alliance. The event explored the connection amongst partner organisations working towards education for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, as well as the importance of innovation for the ocean, and youth empowerment for the future generation of ocean leaders. The Hub was represented by Dr Bernadette Snow, Deputy Director of One Ocean Hub, who shared the Hub's research findings and experience in empowering children and young people. The 'High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action' aimed to expand networks of leaders in ocean space. The Hub further collaborated with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at the UN Climate COP27 (Sharm el-Sheikh, 6-18 November 2022) to advance Children's Environmental Rights Initiative key messages: 1. Ocean-based action need to specifically consider children rights, including the assessment of blue carbon initiative, adaptation and loss and damage. 2. We need we need guidelines on fisheries as part of ocean-based adaptation approaches to strengthen resilience, prevent damage and protect children's rights 3. Ocean-climate action must limit the impacts of ocean acidification on children's rights. The Hub contributed to the Roundtable "Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit" led by Oceanic Global on 11 November 2022 and together with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global co-organised Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised) on the same day. The Hub together with Mara Ghilan, a youth representative from the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Peace Boat and Oceanic Global also co-organised a side-event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea' on 16 November 2022 at the first-ever Children and Youth Pavilion at UN Climate COP Blue Zone. This Hub-led event brought together children and youth representatives, organisations that work closely with youth, experts, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. The event focused on biodiversity finance and the ocean-climate-human rights nexus. It provided a platform to hear young voices on nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation and enable inter-generational learning on human rights and climate finance. The event explored what lessons can be learned from nature-based solutions in promoting and protecting children's and youth human rights, as attention on ocean-based climate action grows. It was designed to clarify how we can respect human rights standards in ocean-based climate solutions, by learning lessons from land-based climate action. During the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub was invited to contribute to the UN-led celebrations of World Ocean Day. Mpume Mthombeni delivered a performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York. Mpume Mthombeni is an actress, writer and director from South Africa, and a Hub researcher. She is a Sangoma or traditional healer who heals not with traditional medicine (umuthi) but rather with words and stories. She is the co-director of Empatheatre, a theatre collective that creates public-storytelling processes in which people across different power and agency can engage with decision making in embodied and contextual ways. Mpume shared how storytelling, and story-listening dissolves the barriers and disconnections between disciplines and departments, sculpts new evidence, new ways of valuing knowing and knowledge, and it creates new ways of making meaning with the ocean. Their co-created films and theatre productions have been used as evidence in court cases and in national and international policy development. Her performance elicited three rounds of applause and a standing ovation. In addition, the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS co-hosted the following three in-person events on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York at Peace Boat office at 777 United Nations Plaza, in New York: 1. Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June. The event enabled audience to experience multi-generational stories of evolving connections to the ocean from the perspectives of small-scale fishers, traditional healers, marine scientists and educators, and reflected on the importance of history, cultural heritage and different forms of knowledge for inclusive and integrated ocean governance. 2. International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023. The event explored the wonder of Indigenous knowledge on the role of the ocean in planetary ecological processes and areas of contact between Indigenous knowledge and ocean science. It addressed ways in which ocean researchers and decision-makers can work together with Indigenous and local knowledge holders. 3. Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023. The event explored a variety of art-based research approaches that support knowledge co-production on the ocean across different disciplines and cultures, and discussed how creative methods to better engage with, and protect the human rights of Indigenous and local knowledge holders within ocean governance could be adapted to collaborative projects and inclusion decision-making processes. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: UNDOALOS, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Conflict Research Network West Africa, Ghana; the Government of the Republic of Kiribati; and the Government of the Republic of Palau; • Research organisations based in Global North: Sciences Po, France; Grantham Research Institute, UK; Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Switzerland • Partner organisations based in Global North: Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, France. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Oceanic Global together with the UNDOALOS has been leading the development of the UN World Ocean Day programme since 2020. Oceanic Global has invited the One Ocean Hub to respond to global call for events and exhibitions and since 2022, Oceanic Global has approached the Hub directly to ask for nomination of speakers from the Hub. The 2023 theme for the UN World Oceans Day was 'Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. Time to put the ocean first!', and Oceanic Global invited the Hub to nominate a speaker in relation to 'capacity building: a story demonstrating the importance of capacity-building in addressing ocean issues'. In addition, as part of the partnership under the FOWOD, Peace Boat and the Hub co-organised five events during the UN World Ocean Week in New York. Peace Boat is a Japan-based international NGO working to promote peace, human rights, and sustainability. Guided by the SDGs, each year Peace Boar organises three global voyages and two shorter Asian regional voyages. Both onboard and in-port, Peace Boat programmes engage youth through travel and education to explore the main aspects of Peace Boat's activities - peace, human rights, and sustainability. At the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat co-organised with the Hub, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kiribati to the UN the event titled 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement', which was attended by 300 in-person participants and showcased the important role of youth in scaling up ocean action, in particular youth from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the front lines of the ocean crisis. Stocktaking successes and challenges since 2017, it also looked towards further developments and collaborations for empowerment and engagement of SIDS youth with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. In addition, Peace Boat has approached the Hub to discuss participating in their cruise programme (https://pbcruise.com/cruise/115).. This would be part of a programme that Peace Boat launched at the first (2017) UN Ocean Conference - the Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Programme in collaboration with the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) for youth leaders from states on the front line of climate change and marine degradation. They have since regularly travelled onboard Peace Boat's ship to engage in capacity building and awareness raising through public engagement, meeting with government and civil society representatives. The programme has been carried out through partnerships with national governments, academia, and civil society organisations to promote the implementation of SDG14. Each time, participants with diverse backgrounds in science, public policy, the arts, grassroots, and international activism shared their skills and experiences, as well as the diverse situations in their own countries. They visited ports in Europe and concluded in New York with events in collaboration with UN partners at the United Nations Headquarters including during UN World Oceans Day. To celebrate the beginning of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat in partnership with the One Ocean Hub, Blue Planet Alliance, Earth X, United by the Sea, Proteus Ocean Group, Water X, and Solgaard also co-organised a High-Level Reception on the WaterX Yacht. The event gathered 100 high-level attendees, including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. The success of this initiative led to further collaboration between the One Ocean Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global, Blue Planet Alliance, and Extreme Hangout to co-organise the Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner on 11 November 2022 at the UN Climate COP27 in Egypt. The event highlighted ocean innovation for climate action, including representatives from sustainable businesses, the United Nations, NGOs, civil society, artists, musicians, and youth who are making a positive impact for our climate. Together we are exploring opportunities to build our networks, mainstream the role of ocean in climate action and finance, and create lasting change for people and the planet for future UN Climate COPs and other international processes. Oceanic Global is an international NGO that sheds light on humanity's essential relationship to the ocean and empowers individuals, communities, and industries to create positive change. Oceanic Global works closely with youths and creates educational experiences, consults on sustainable operations, as well as engages local communities to generate measurable impact for collective wellbeing. Drawing from our close collaboration as part of the FOWOD, the Hub and Oceanic Global have collaborated closely at the UN Climate COP27. Oceanic Global led the Ocean X Climate Summit that the Hub contributed to. The event immersed global stakeholders in the importance and potential of the ocean within the climate change narrative, and to support more stakeholder action for the ocean and all it sustains. The Ocean X Climate Summit was organized in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. As part of the Summit, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow, contributed to the 'Roundtable: Creating a Common Agenda for our Shared Ocean'. Dr Snow's intervention highlighted the importance of the inclusion of different stakeholders including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, young and people and children and different knowledge systems to enhance the visibility and place of the ocean-climate nexus in international convenings and in national action. The Hub also facilitated video remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana, that was screened before a panel discussion on 'Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate' at the Summit. Dzidzor's video remarks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU) highlighted the direct impacts of climate change on children's rights to a healthy environment, health, and education, and the need for children's participation in decision making around ocean and climate change. Dzidzor's intervention at the Summit was made possible through support provided by Hub researchers in Ghana including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast), Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Ghana) and Dr Ibrahim Sulley (Conflict Research Network West Africa - Ghana Office). Both Oceanic Global and Peace Boat were also involved in co-organising the Hub-led event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea for the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt on 16 November 2022. At the event children from South Africa, Ghana, Greenland, and Samoa, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, David Boyd, and experts from the One Ocean Hub, Sciences Po, and Grantham Research Institute, LSE spoke about what they deemed as the most important priorities to address the challenges posed by climate change, why leadership and empowerment of young people are so important for tackling these challenges, and explored approaches needed to ensure protection of human rights. Representatives of youth and organisations that work closely with youth such as Oceanic Global, Peace Boat, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and Global Youth Biodiversity Network shared their experiences of youth climate advocacy work and the major challenges to youth climate action. They stressed that: • It is important for policy makers not only to hear youth's views, but also to integrate them into governance; • the difficulties to gain accreditation, the economic costs of participation, and the lack of technical assistance and capacity-building for youth to engage effectively as observers or negotiators hinder youth to participate in decision making process, such as COP27. Decision makers need to understand barriers that youth face to improve participation of youth in key ocean-climate decision making spaces. • Youth are fighting to reverse the impacts of climate change and to mainstream rights-based approaches, to ensure that children and youth vulnerabilities to climate change are recognised. • It is important to fund research in the Global South, particularly research carried out by young researchers to inform future climate change action. • Fighting for climate justice and equity is an intergenerational effort: it is critical to acknowledge existing work and ancient wisdom while uplifting and empowering the next generation. In 2023 the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS co-hosted five in-person events on 7-9 June 2023 to celebrate the UN World Oceans Week in New York. These events built upon the success of the Empatheatre live-performance events at Climate COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh (November 2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Rome (March 2023) as well as the insights arising from the Hub's workshop on arts-based research approaches to protect the human rights of small-scale fisheries in Rome (March 2023) (More information here https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf). The Hub's participation in the 2023 UN World Oceans Week has strengthened the Hub's contributions to UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and prepared the way towards further contributions at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024, and the preparation for the third UN Ocean Conference 2025. Three events were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Peace Boat, an official UN Ocean Decade partner that focuses on youth empowerment. These events linked the Hub research and engagement activities on intersection of art, ocean culture and heritage with one of the goals of Ocean Decade 'An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean in relation to human wellbeing and sustainable development'. It is expected that the Hub will be working more closely with Peace Boat in 2024 following the official appointment of the Hub as a UN Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity in October 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/). The two art events we co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS for the UN World Oceans Week were a 'Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance' on 7 June 2023 and the 'International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making' on 7 June 2023 helped to draw members of the Friends of the World Oceans Day's attention to the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). In the run up to the UN World Ocean Day, the password-protected film of "Indlela Yokuphila" was shared by the Hub Support Team in February 2023 with the three organisations who led the Friends of the World Oceans Day working group: the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat. This has led to the invitation to the Empatheatre team member, Mpume Mthombeni, to be one of the spotlight speakers at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 8 June 2023. Like the two previous side-events, the third event 'Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa' on 9 June 2023 has successively brought local perspectives into international conversations that is deemed rare at international events. Mpume Mthombeni, an artist and a traditional healer from South Africa, participated directly as a panellist in this event and the other two side-events co-organised with Peace Boat and the Blue Planet Alliance (https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/). Mpume Mthombeni's invited performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration on 8 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" was facilitated by the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global and Peace Boat. It highlighted the importance to engage traditional knowledge and traditional knowledge holders in a respectful manner. Mpume was the only speaker who received three rounds of applause and standing ovation at the event (Full event recording is available here: https://unworldoceansday.org; Individual segment of Mpume Mthombeni performance is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU). The 2023 UN World Ocean Day was attended by 350+ in-person attendees at the UN Headquarters, 102,000 online viewers, reaching 110 UN member states and 380 different organisations (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N0oI_O_H3hnvG4EKLmCxSEP25-mMMxwK/view). In December 2023, the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat have extended another invitation to the Hub to nominate a speaker for the 2024 UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters, New York. The collaboration titled "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth" has demonstrable policy and public services impacts as it has raised awareness and built a network of civil society organisations, academic, governments and UN bodies to advance children and young people's human rights to a healthy ocean at various international processes including the UN World Oceans Day from 2020 to 2023, the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, and Climate COP27 in Egypt. This collaboration also delivered societal impacts by providing capacity building to 104,787 government officials, civil society, representatives of regional and international organisations, businesses, children and youth activists, academics and students on the interlinkages between ocean, climate change and human rights through the co-organisation of a total of 28 online, in-person and hybrid events. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. For events where the Hub had been able to collect information about attendees' gender, the findings showed that over 50 per cent of attendees were women. This confirms the interest of women in discussion around ocean governance and calls for the need for increase of capacity building for women in this area. |
| Impact | List of 23 side-events that the One Ocean Hub has co-organised and hosted for the UN World Ocean Day as part of the FOWOD community. These events were attended by 104,187 participants including government officials, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, researchers and students. For detailed information see the collaboration entry titled "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance": • Art for the Ocean, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3X07HXs • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RmTjqW • Breaking Laws on the Sea, 12 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3l1YtfT • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3wMyYSw • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life), 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3qr7Mpf • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea), 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3KSS1Qj • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3HhMceY • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RlvqQJ • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: https://bit.ly/3YdrgfR • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3DwmMJm • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue!, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3Ygea1G • Wonders of the Deep, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3kY8ieY • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU • Intangible Cultural Ocean Heritage and Participatory Research Methods, 8 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/CTzCTnQNoD4 • Canoe Culture and Heritage Ghana, 9 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/tdWFQ9Znank • Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning, 10 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/mP4LU8_4KK8 • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The Hub partnered with Peace Boat at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal in the following events: 1. Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (led by Peace Boat), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). See here: https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent. The event was attended by 250 participants. 2. Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance), 27 June 2022 Venue: WaterX - Powering Nautical Events, Doca Alcântara. See here: https://bit.ly/UNOcean-Reception-June27. The event was attended by 100 high-level attendees including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. List of collaborative side-events with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at COP27 1. Roundtable: Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit (led by Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort 58 Gardens Bay Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. More information here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. 2. Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, EXTREME Hangout, the Lawn, Park Regency Hotel, Sharm El Sheikh. More information here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ocean-innovation-partnership-dinner-tickets-461929372187 and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/98fsliln6dckk2lgai7lq246hn. The event was attended by 100 attendees. 3. A video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana was screened before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit organised by Oceanic Global on 11th November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. For more information see here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/ and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU. The event was attended by 100 attendees. Mpume Mthombeni's performance at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. Blogposts Febrica S and Snow B. (2022). "Sailing to the climate COP27."Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/. Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/. Febrica S. (2022). "Contributing to defining the 2022 UN Ocean Conference Interactive Dialogue." https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-defining-the-2022-un-ocean-conference-interactive-dialogues/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Peer-reviewed article Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No.26." Environmental Policy and Law. DOI 10.3233/EPL-219052. Available from here: https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052. Open access article is available here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4284824. Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global began in June 2020 through the Friends of the United Nations World Ocean Day (FOWOD) working group. The FOWOD is chaired by Peace Boat and co-led by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) and the Oceanic Global. It is an informal community of individuals and organisations active in the field of ocean affairs to support the marking of United Nations World Oceans Day, 8 June, and related activities. This year is the fifth year running that the One Ocean Hub has been the FOWOD. To date, the Hub has co-organised and hosted 23 unique events through the UN World Ocean Day 2020-2023, which are listed below. These events were organised with representation from across all Hub focus countries. Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global through FOWOD led to closer collaboration with Peace Boat on youth empowerment and ocean-climate action at 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Portugal and Climate COP27 in Egypt. During the UN Ocean Conference, the One Ocean Hub engaged with Peace Boat and other partners on the following key messages: • Inclusive ocean knowledge co-production supports the development of fair and sustainable blue economies. • The Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved if human rights are mainstreamed in ocean science and policy. • The latest understanding of deep-sea ecosystems, and their benefits to humanity, must be considered in decisions that can impact the ocean. • The arts provide a space for transformative dialogue about blue economies that respond to the human rights of indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers, including women and children. The Hub has contributed and co-hosted ten in-person, virtual, and hybrid events on 27 June - 1 July 2022. Two of these in-person events were led by Peace Boat on 27 June 2022: 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent) and Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Blue Planet Alliance). The 'Scaling up Ocean Action' event was co-organised by the Republic of Kiribati and Peace Boat with the Government of the Republic of Palau, Oceanic Global, One Ocean Hub, Ciencia Viva, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, Proteus Group, United by the Sea, and the Blue Planet Alliance. The event explored the connection amongst partner organisations working towards education for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, as well as the importance of innovation for the ocean, and youth empowerment for the future generation of ocean leaders. The Hub was represented by Dr Bernadette Snow, Deputy Director of One Ocean Hub, who shared the Hub's research findings and experience in empowering children and young people. The 'High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action' aimed to expand networks of leaders in ocean space. The Hub further collaborated with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at the UN Climate COP27 (Sharm el-Sheikh, 6-18 November 2022) to advance Children's Environmental Rights Initiative key messages: 1. Ocean-based action need to specifically consider children rights, including the assessment of blue carbon initiative, adaptation and loss and damage. 2. We need we need guidelines on fisheries as part of ocean-based adaptation approaches to strengthen resilience, prevent damage and protect children's rights 3. Ocean-climate action must limit the impacts of ocean acidification on children's rights. The Hub contributed to the Roundtable "Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit" led by Oceanic Global on 11 November 2022 and together with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global co-organised Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised) on the same day. The Hub together with Mara Ghilan, a youth representative from the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Peace Boat and Oceanic Global also co-organised a side-event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea' on 16 November 2022 at the first-ever Children and Youth Pavilion at UN Climate COP Blue Zone. This Hub-led event brought together children and youth representatives, organisations that work closely with youth, experts, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. The event focused on biodiversity finance and the ocean-climate-human rights nexus. It provided a platform to hear young voices on nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation and enable inter-generational learning on human rights and climate finance. The event explored what lessons can be learned from nature-based solutions in promoting and protecting children's and youth human rights, as attention on ocean-based climate action grows. It was designed to clarify how we can respect human rights standards in ocean-based climate solutions, by learning lessons from land-based climate action. During the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub was invited to contribute to the UN-led celebrations of World Ocean Day. Mpume Mthombeni delivered a performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York. Mpume Mthombeni is an actress, writer and director from South Africa, and a Hub researcher. She is a Sangoma or traditional healer who heals not with traditional medicine (umuthi) but rather with words and stories. She is the co-director of Empatheatre, a theatre collective that creates public-storytelling processes in which people across different power and agency can engage with decision making in embodied and contextual ways. Mpume shared how storytelling, and story-listening dissolves the barriers and disconnections between disciplines and departments, sculpts new evidence, new ways of valuing knowing and knowledge, and it creates new ways of making meaning with the ocean. Their co-created films and theatre productions have been used as evidence in court cases and in national and international policy development. Her performance elicited three rounds of applause and a standing ovation. In addition, the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS co-hosted the following three in-person events on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York at Peace Boat office at 777 United Nations Plaza, in New York: 1. Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June. The event enabled audience to experience multi-generational stories of evolving connections to the ocean from the perspectives of small-scale fishers, traditional healers, marine scientists and educators, and reflected on the importance of history, cultural heritage and different forms of knowledge for inclusive and integrated ocean governance. 2. International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023. The event explored the wonder of Indigenous knowledge on the role of the ocean in planetary ecological processes and areas of contact between Indigenous knowledge and ocean science. It addressed ways in which ocean researchers and decision-makers can work together with Indigenous and local knowledge holders. 3. Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023. The event explored a variety of art-based research approaches that support knowledge co-production on the ocean across different disciplines and cultures, and discussed how creative methods to better engage with, and protect the human rights of Indigenous and local knowledge holders within ocean governance could be adapted to collaborative projects and inclusion decision-making processes. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: UNDOALOS, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Conflict Research Network West Africa, Ghana; the Government of the Republic of Kiribati; and the Government of the Republic of Palau; • Research organisations based in Global North: Sciences Po, France; Grantham Research Institute, UK; Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Switzerland • Partner organisations based in Global North: Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, France. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Oceanic Global together with the UNDOALOS has been leading the development of the UN World Ocean Day programme since 2020. Oceanic Global has invited the One Ocean Hub to respond to global call for events and exhibitions and since 2022, Oceanic Global has approached the Hub directly to ask for nomination of speakers from the Hub. The 2023 theme for the UN World Oceans Day was 'Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. Time to put the ocean first!', and Oceanic Global invited the Hub to nominate a speaker in relation to 'capacity building: a story demonstrating the importance of capacity-building in addressing ocean issues'. In addition, as part of the partnership under the FOWOD, Peace Boat and the Hub co-organised five events during the UN World Ocean Week in New York. Peace Boat is a Japan-based international NGO working to promote peace, human rights, and sustainability. Guided by the SDGs, each year Peace Boar organises three global voyages and two shorter Asian regional voyages. Both onboard and in-port, Peace Boat programmes engage youth through travel and education to explore the main aspects of Peace Boat's activities - peace, human rights, and sustainability. At the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat co-organised with the Hub, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kiribati to the UN the event titled 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement', which was attended by 300 in-person participants and showcased the important role of youth in scaling up ocean action, in particular youth from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the front lines of the ocean crisis. Stocktaking successes and challenges since 2017, it also looked towards further developments and collaborations for empowerment and engagement of SIDS youth with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. In addition, Peace Boat has approached the Hub to discuss participating in their cruise programme (https://pbcruise.com/cruise/115).. This would be part of a programme that Peace Boat launched at the first (2017) UN Ocean Conference - the Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Programme in collaboration with the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) for youth leaders from states on the front line of climate change and marine degradation. They have since regularly travelled onboard Peace Boat's ship to engage in capacity building and awareness raising through public engagement, meeting with government and civil society representatives. The programme has been carried out through partnerships with national governments, academia, and civil society organisations to promote the implementation of SDG14. Each time, participants with diverse backgrounds in science, public policy, the arts, grassroots, and international activism shared their skills and experiences, as well as the diverse situations in their own countries. They visited ports in Europe and concluded in New York with events in collaboration with UN partners at the United Nations Headquarters including during UN World Oceans Day. To celebrate the beginning of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat in partnership with the One Ocean Hub, Blue Planet Alliance, Earth X, United by the Sea, Proteus Ocean Group, Water X, and Solgaard also co-organised a High-Level Reception on the WaterX Yacht. The event gathered 100 high-level attendees, including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. The success of this initiative led to further collaboration between the One Ocean Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global, Blue Planet Alliance, and Extreme Hangout to co-organise the Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner on 11 November 2022 at the UN Climate COP27 in Egypt. The event highlighted ocean innovation for climate action, including representatives from sustainable businesses, the United Nations, NGOs, civil society, artists, musicians, and youth who are making a positive impact for our climate. Together we are exploring opportunities to build our networks, mainstream the role of ocean in climate action and finance, and create lasting change for people and the planet for future UN Climate COPs and other international processes. Oceanic Global is an international NGO that sheds light on humanity's essential relationship to the ocean and empowers individuals, communities, and industries to create positive change. Oceanic Global works closely with youths and creates educational experiences, consults on sustainable operations, as well as engages local communities to generate measurable impact for collective wellbeing. Drawing from our close collaboration as part of the FOWOD, the Hub and Oceanic Global have collaborated closely at the UN Climate COP27. Oceanic Global led the Ocean X Climate Summit that the Hub contributed to. The event immersed global stakeholders in the importance and potential of the ocean within the climate change narrative, and to support more stakeholder action for the ocean and all it sustains. The Ocean X Climate Summit was organized in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. As part of the Summit, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow, contributed to the 'Roundtable: Creating a Common Agenda for our Shared Ocean'. Dr Snow's intervention highlighted the importance of the inclusion of different stakeholders including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, young and people and children and different knowledge systems to enhance the visibility and place of the ocean-climate nexus in international convenings and in national action. The Hub also facilitated video remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana, that was screened before a panel discussion on 'Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate' at the Summit. Dzidzor's video remarks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU) highlighted the direct impacts of climate change on children's rights to a healthy environment, health, and education, and the need for children's participation in decision making around ocean and climate change. Dzidzor's intervention at the Summit was made possible through support provided by Hub researchers in Ghana including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast), Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Ghana) and Dr Ibrahim Sulley (Conflict Research Network West Africa - Ghana Office). Both Oceanic Global and Peace Boat were also involved in co-organising the Hub-led event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea for the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt on 16 November 2022. At the event children from South Africa, Ghana, Greenland, and Samoa, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, David Boyd, and experts from the One Ocean Hub, Sciences Po, and Grantham Research Institute, LSE spoke about what they deemed as the most important priorities to address the challenges posed by climate change, why leadership and empowerment of young people are so important for tackling these challenges, and explored approaches needed to ensure protection of human rights. Representatives of youth and organisations that work closely with youth such as Oceanic Global, Peace Boat, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and Global Youth Biodiversity Network shared their experiences of youth climate advocacy work and the major challenges to youth climate action. They stressed that: • It is important for policy makers not only to hear youth's views, but also to integrate them into governance; • the difficulties to gain accreditation, the economic costs of participation, and the lack of technical assistance and capacity-building for youth to engage effectively as observers or negotiators hinder youth to participate in decision making process, such as COP27. Decision makers need to understand barriers that youth face to improve participation of youth in key ocean-climate decision making spaces. • Youth are fighting to reverse the impacts of climate change and to mainstream rights-based approaches, to ensure that children and youth vulnerabilities to climate change are recognised. • It is important to fund research in the Global South, particularly research carried out by young researchers to inform future climate change action. • Fighting for climate justice and equity is an intergenerational effort: it is critical to acknowledge existing work and ancient wisdom while uplifting and empowering the next generation. In 2023 the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS co-hosted five in-person events on 7-9 June 2023 to celebrate the UN World Oceans Week in New York. These events built upon the success of the Empatheatre live-performance events at Climate COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh (November 2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Rome (March 2023) as well as the insights arising from the Hub's workshop on arts-based research approaches to protect the human rights of small-scale fisheries in Rome (March 2023) (More information here https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf). The Hub's participation in the 2023 UN World Oceans Week has strengthened the Hub's contributions to UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and prepared the way towards further contributions at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024, and the preparation for the third UN Ocean Conference 2025. Three events were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Peace Boat, an official UN Ocean Decade partner that focuses on youth empowerment. These events linked the Hub research and engagement activities on intersection of art, ocean culture and heritage with one of the goals of Ocean Decade 'An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean in relation to human wellbeing and sustainable development'. It is expected that the Hub will be working more closely with Peace Boat in 2024 following the official appointment of the Hub as a UN Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity in October 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/). The two art events we co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS for the UN World Oceans Week were a 'Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance' on 7 June 2023 and the 'International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making' on 7 June 2023 helped to draw members of the Friends of the World Oceans Day's attention to the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). In the run up to the UN World Ocean Day, the password-protected film of "Indlela Yokuphila" was shared by the Hub Support Team in February 2023 with the three organisations who led the Friends of the World Oceans Day working group: the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat. This has led to the invitation to the Empatheatre team member, Mpume Mthombeni, to be one of the spotlight speakers at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 8 June 2023. Like the two previous side-events, the third event 'Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa' on 9 June 2023 has successively brought local perspectives into international conversations that is deemed rare at international events. Mpume Mthombeni, an artist and a traditional healer from South Africa, participated directly as a panellist in this event and the other two side-events co-organised with Peace Boat and the Blue Planet Alliance (https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/). Mpume Mthombeni's invited performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration on 8 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" was facilitated by the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global and Peace Boat. It highlighted the importance to engage traditional knowledge and traditional knowledge holders in a respectful manner. Mpume was the only speaker who received three rounds of applause and standing ovation at the event (Full event recording is available here: https://unworldoceansday.org; Individual segment of Mpume Mthombeni performance is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU). The 2023 UN World Ocean Day was attended by 350+ in-person attendees at the UN Headquarters, 102,000 online viewers, reaching 110 UN member states and 380 different organisations (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N0oI_O_H3hnvG4EKLmCxSEP25-mMMxwK/view). In December 2023, the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat have extended another invitation to the Hub to nominate a speaker for the 2024 UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters, New York. The collaboration titled "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth" has demonstrable policy and public services impacts as it has raised awareness and built a network of civil society organisations, academic, governments and UN bodies to advance children and young people's human rights to a healthy ocean at various international processes including the UN World Oceans Day from 2020 to 2023, the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, and Climate COP27 in Egypt. This collaboration also delivered societal impacts by providing capacity building to 104,787 government officials, civil society, representatives of regional and international organisations, businesses, children and youth activists, academics and students on the interlinkages between ocean, climate change and human rights through the co-organisation of a total of 28 online, in-person and hybrid events. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. For events where the Hub had been able to collect information about attendees' gender, the findings showed that over 50 per cent of attendees were women. This confirms the interest of women in discussion around ocean governance and calls for the need for increase of capacity building for women in this area. |
| Impact | List of 23 side-events that the One Ocean Hub has co-organised and hosted for the UN World Ocean Day as part of the FOWOD community. These events were attended by 104,187 participants including government officials, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, researchers and students. For detailed information see the collaboration entry titled "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance": • Art for the Ocean, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3X07HXs • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RmTjqW • Breaking Laws on the Sea, 12 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3l1YtfT • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3wMyYSw • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life), 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3qr7Mpf • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea), 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3KSS1Qj • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3HhMceY • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RlvqQJ • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: https://bit.ly/3YdrgfR • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3DwmMJm • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue!, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3Ygea1G • Wonders of the Deep, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3kY8ieY • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU • Intangible Cultural Ocean Heritage and Participatory Research Methods, 8 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/CTzCTnQNoD4 • Canoe Culture and Heritage Ghana, 9 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/tdWFQ9Znank • Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning, 10 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/mP4LU8_4KK8 • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The Hub partnered with Peace Boat at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal in the following events: 1. Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (led by Peace Boat), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). See here: https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent. The event was attended by 250 participants. 2. Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance), 27 June 2022 Venue: WaterX - Powering Nautical Events, Doca Alcântara. See here: https://bit.ly/UNOcean-Reception-June27. The event was attended by 100 high-level attendees including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. List of collaborative side-events with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at COP27 1. Roundtable: Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit (led by Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort 58 Gardens Bay Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. More information here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. 2. Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, EXTREME Hangout, the Lawn, Park Regency Hotel, Sharm El Sheikh. More information here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ocean-innovation-partnership-dinner-tickets-461929372187 and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/98fsliln6dckk2lgai7lq246hn. The event was attended by 100 attendees. 3. A video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana was screened before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit organised by Oceanic Global on 11th November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. For more information see here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/ and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU. The event was attended by 100 attendees. Mpume Mthombeni's performance at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. Blogposts Febrica S and Snow B. (2022). "Sailing to the climate COP27."Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/. Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/. Febrica S. (2022). "Contributing to defining the 2022 UN Ocean Conference Interactive Dialogue." https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-defining-the-2022-un-ocean-conference-interactive-dialogues/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Peer-reviewed article Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No.26." Environmental Policy and Law. DOI 10.3233/EPL-219052. Available from here: https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052. Open access article is available here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4284824. Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth |
| Organisation | Sciences Po |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global began in June 2020 through the Friends of the United Nations World Ocean Day (FOWOD) working group. The FOWOD is chaired by Peace Boat and co-led by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) and the Oceanic Global. It is an informal community of individuals and organisations active in the field of ocean affairs to support the marking of United Nations World Oceans Day, 8 June, and related activities. This year is the fifth year running that the One Ocean Hub has been the FOWOD. To date, the Hub has co-organised and hosted 23 unique events through the UN World Ocean Day 2020-2023, which are listed below. These events were organised with representation from across all Hub focus countries. Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global through FOWOD led to closer collaboration with Peace Boat on youth empowerment and ocean-climate action at 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Portugal and Climate COP27 in Egypt. During the UN Ocean Conference, the One Ocean Hub engaged with Peace Boat and other partners on the following key messages: • Inclusive ocean knowledge co-production supports the development of fair and sustainable blue economies. • The Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved if human rights are mainstreamed in ocean science and policy. • The latest understanding of deep-sea ecosystems, and their benefits to humanity, must be considered in decisions that can impact the ocean. • The arts provide a space for transformative dialogue about blue economies that respond to the human rights of indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers, including women and children. The Hub has contributed and co-hosted ten in-person, virtual, and hybrid events on 27 June - 1 July 2022. Two of these in-person events were led by Peace Boat on 27 June 2022: 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent) and Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Blue Planet Alliance). The 'Scaling up Ocean Action' event was co-organised by the Republic of Kiribati and Peace Boat with the Government of the Republic of Palau, Oceanic Global, One Ocean Hub, Ciencia Viva, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, Proteus Group, United by the Sea, and the Blue Planet Alliance. The event explored the connection amongst partner organisations working towards education for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, as well as the importance of innovation for the ocean, and youth empowerment for the future generation of ocean leaders. The Hub was represented by Dr Bernadette Snow, Deputy Director of One Ocean Hub, who shared the Hub's research findings and experience in empowering children and young people. The 'High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action' aimed to expand networks of leaders in ocean space. The Hub further collaborated with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at the UN Climate COP27 (Sharm el-Sheikh, 6-18 November 2022) to advance Children's Environmental Rights Initiative key messages: 1. Ocean-based action need to specifically consider children rights, including the assessment of blue carbon initiative, adaptation and loss and damage. 2. We need we need guidelines on fisheries as part of ocean-based adaptation approaches to strengthen resilience, prevent damage and protect children's rights 3. Ocean-climate action must limit the impacts of ocean acidification on children's rights. The Hub contributed to the Roundtable "Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit" led by Oceanic Global on 11 November 2022 and together with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global co-organised Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised) on the same day. The Hub together with Mara Ghilan, a youth representative from the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Peace Boat and Oceanic Global also co-organised a side-event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea' on 16 November 2022 at the first-ever Children and Youth Pavilion at UN Climate COP Blue Zone. This Hub-led event brought together children and youth representatives, organisations that work closely with youth, experts, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. The event focused on biodiversity finance and the ocean-climate-human rights nexus. It provided a platform to hear young voices on nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation and enable inter-generational learning on human rights and climate finance. The event explored what lessons can be learned from nature-based solutions in promoting and protecting children's and youth human rights, as attention on ocean-based climate action grows. It was designed to clarify how we can respect human rights standards in ocean-based climate solutions, by learning lessons from land-based climate action. During the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub was invited to contribute to the UN-led celebrations of World Ocean Day. Mpume Mthombeni delivered a performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York. Mpume Mthombeni is an actress, writer and director from South Africa, and a Hub researcher. She is a Sangoma or traditional healer who heals not with traditional medicine (umuthi) but rather with words and stories. She is the co-director of Empatheatre, a theatre collective that creates public-storytelling processes in which people across different power and agency can engage with decision making in embodied and contextual ways. Mpume shared how storytelling, and story-listening dissolves the barriers and disconnections between disciplines and departments, sculpts new evidence, new ways of valuing knowing and knowledge, and it creates new ways of making meaning with the ocean. Their co-created films and theatre productions have been used as evidence in court cases and in national and international policy development. Her performance elicited three rounds of applause and a standing ovation. In addition, the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS co-hosted the following three in-person events on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York at Peace Boat office at 777 United Nations Plaza, in New York: 1. Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June. The event enabled audience to experience multi-generational stories of evolving connections to the ocean from the perspectives of small-scale fishers, traditional healers, marine scientists and educators, and reflected on the importance of history, cultural heritage and different forms of knowledge for inclusive and integrated ocean governance. 2. International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023. The event explored the wonder of Indigenous knowledge on the role of the ocean in planetary ecological processes and areas of contact between Indigenous knowledge and ocean science. It addressed ways in which ocean researchers and decision-makers can work together with Indigenous and local knowledge holders. 3. Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023. The event explored a variety of art-based research approaches that support knowledge co-production on the ocean across different disciplines and cultures, and discussed how creative methods to better engage with, and protect the human rights of Indigenous and local knowledge holders within ocean governance could be adapted to collaborative projects and inclusion decision-making processes. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: UNDOALOS, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Conflict Research Network West Africa, Ghana; the Government of the Republic of Kiribati; and the Government of the Republic of Palau; • Research organisations based in Global North: Sciences Po, France; Grantham Research Institute, UK; Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Switzerland • Partner organisations based in Global North: Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, France. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Oceanic Global together with the UNDOALOS has been leading the development of the UN World Ocean Day programme since 2020. Oceanic Global has invited the One Ocean Hub to respond to global call for events and exhibitions and since 2022, Oceanic Global has approached the Hub directly to ask for nomination of speakers from the Hub. The 2023 theme for the UN World Oceans Day was 'Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. Time to put the ocean first!', and Oceanic Global invited the Hub to nominate a speaker in relation to 'capacity building: a story demonstrating the importance of capacity-building in addressing ocean issues'. In addition, as part of the partnership under the FOWOD, Peace Boat and the Hub co-organised five events during the UN World Ocean Week in New York. Peace Boat is a Japan-based international NGO working to promote peace, human rights, and sustainability. Guided by the SDGs, each year Peace Boar organises three global voyages and two shorter Asian regional voyages. Both onboard and in-port, Peace Boat programmes engage youth through travel and education to explore the main aspects of Peace Boat's activities - peace, human rights, and sustainability. At the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat co-organised with the Hub, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kiribati to the UN the event titled 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement', which was attended by 300 in-person participants and showcased the important role of youth in scaling up ocean action, in particular youth from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the front lines of the ocean crisis. Stocktaking successes and challenges since 2017, it also looked towards further developments and collaborations for empowerment and engagement of SIDS youth with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. In addition, Peace Boat has approached the Hub to discuss participating in their cruise programme (https://pbcruise.com/cruise/115).. This would be part of a programme that Peace Boat launched at the first (2017) UN Ocean Conference - the Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Programme in collaboration with the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) for youth leaders from states on the front line of climate change and marine degradation. They have since regularly travelled onboard Peace Boat's ship to engage in capacity building and awareness raising through public engagement, meeting with government and civil society representatives. The programme has been carried out through partnerships with national governments, academia, and civil society organisations to promote the implementation of SDG14. Each time, participants with diverse backgrounds in science, public policy, the arts, grassroots, and international activism shared their skills and experiences, as well as the diverse situations in their own countries. They visited ports in Europe and concluded in New York with events in collaboration with UN partners at the United Nations Headquarters including during UN World Oceans Day. To celebrate the beginning of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat in partnership with the One Ocean Hub, Blue Planet Alliance, Earth X, United by the Sea, Proteus Ocean Group, Water X, and Solgaard also co-organised a High-Level Reception on the WaterX Yacht. The event gathered 100 high-level attendees, including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. The success of this initiative led to further collaboration between the One Ocean Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global, Blue Planet Alliance, and Extreme Hangout to co-organise the Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner on 11 November 2022 at the UN Climate COP27 in Egypt. The event highlighted ocean innovation for climate action, including representatives from sustainable businesses, the United Nations, NGOs, civil society, artists, musicians, and youth who are making a positive impact for our climate. Together we are exploring opportunities to build our networks, mainstream the role of ocean in climate action and finance, and create lasting change for people and the planet for future UN Climate COPs and other international processes. Oceanic Global is an international NGO that sheds light on humanity's essential relationship to the ocean and empowers individuals, communities, and industries to create positive change. Oceanic Global works closely with youths and creates educational experiences, consults on sustainable operations, as well as engages local communities to generate measurable impact for collective wellbeing. Drawing from our close collaboration as part of the FOWOD, the Hub and Oceanic Global have collaborated closely at the UN Climate COP27. Oceanic Global led the Ocean X Climate Summit that the Hub contributed to. The event immersed global stakeholders in the importance and potential of the ocean within the climate change narrative, and to support more stakeholder action for the ocean and all it sustains. The Ocean X Climate Summit was organized in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. As part of the Summit, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow, contributed to the 'Roundtable: Creating a Common Agenda for our Shared Ocean'. Dr Snow's intervention highlighted the importance of the inclusion of different stakeholders including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, young and people and children and different knowledge systems to enhance the visibility and place of the ocean-climate nexus in international convenings and in national action. The Hub also facilitated video remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana, that was screened before a panel discussion on 'Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate' at the Summit. Dzidzor's video remarks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU) highlighted the direct impacts of climate change on children's rights to a healthy environment, health, and education, and the need for children's participation in decision making around ocean and climate change. Dzidzor's intervention at the Summit was made possible through support provided by Hub researchers in Ghana including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast), Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Ghana) and Dr Ibrahim Sulley (Conflict Research Network West Africa - Ghana Office). Both Oceanic Global and Peace Boat were also involved in co-organising the Hub-led event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea for the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt on 16 November 2022. At the event children from South Africa, Ghana, Greenland, and Samoa, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, David Boyd, and experts from the One Ocean Hub, Sciences Po, and Grantham Research Institute, LSE spoke about what they deemed as the most important priorities to address the challenges posed by climate change, why leadership and empowerment of young people are so important for tackling these challenges, and explored approaches needed to ensure protection of human rights. Representatives of youth and organisations that work closely with youth such as Oceanic Global, Peace Boat, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and Global Youth Biodiversity Network shared their experiences of youth climate advocacy work and the major challenges to youth climate action. They stressed that: • It is important for policy makers not only to hear youth's views, but also to integrate them into governance; • the difficulties to gain accreditation, the economic costs of participation, and the lack of technical assistance and capacity-building for youth to engage effectively as observers or negotiators hinder youth to participate in decision making process, such as COP27. Decision makers need to understand barriers that youth face to improve participation of youth in key ocean-climate decision making spaces. • Youth are fighting to reverse the impacts of climate change and to mainstream rights-based approaches, to ensure that children and youth vulnerabilities to climate change are recognised. • It is important to fund research in the Global South, particularly research carried out by young researchers to inform future climate change action. • Fighting for climate justice and equity is an intergenerational effort: it is critical to acknowledge existing work and ancient wisdom while uplifting and empowering the next generation. In 2023 the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS co-hosted five in-person events on 7-9 June 2023 to celebrate the UN World Oceans Week in New York. These events built upon the success of the Empatheatre live-performance events at Climate COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh (November 2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Rome (March 2023) as well as the insights arising from the Hub's workshop on arts-based research approaches to protect the human rights of small-scale fisheries in Rome (March 2023) (More information here https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf). The Hub's participation in the 2023 UN World Oceans Week has strengthened the Hub's contributions to UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and prepared the way towards further contributions at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024, and the preparation for the third UN Ocean Conference 2025. Three events were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Peace Boat, an official UN Ocean Decade partner that focuses on youth empowerment. These events linked the Hub research and engagement activities on intersection of art, ocean culture and heritage with one of the goals of Ocean Decade 'An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean in relation to human wellbeing and sustainable development'. It is expected that the Hub will be working more closely with Peace Boat in 2024 following the official appointment of the Hub as a UN Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity in October 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/). The two art events we co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS for the UN World Oceans Week were a 'Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance' on 7 June 2023 and the 'International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making' on 7 June 2023 helped to draw members of the Friends of the World Oceans Day's attention to the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). In the run up to the UN World Ocean Day, the password-protected film of "Indlela Yokuphila" was shared by the Hub Support Team in February 2023 with the three organisations who led the Friends of the World Oceans Day working group: the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat. This has led to the invitation to the Empatheatre team member, Mpume Mthombeni, to be one of the spotlight speakers at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 8 June 2023. Like the two previous side-events, the third event 'Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa' on 9 June 2023 has successively brought local perspectives into international conversations that is deemed rare at international events. Mpume Mthombeni, an artist and a traditional healer from South Africa, participated directly as a panellist in this event and the other two side-events co-organised with Peace Boat and the Blue Planet Alliance (https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/). Mpume Mthombeni's invited performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration on 8 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" was facilitated by the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global and Peace Boat. It highlighted the importance to engage traditional knowledge and traditional knowledge holders in a respectful manner. Mpume was the only speaker who received three rounds of applause and standing ovation at the event (Full event recording is available here: https://unworldoceansday.org; Individual segment of Mpume Mthombeni performance is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU). The 2023 UN World Ocean Day was attended by 350+ in-person attendees at the UN Headquarters, 102,000 online viewers, reaching 110 UN member states and 380 different organisations (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N0oI_O_H3hnvG4EKLmCxSEP25-mMMxwK/view). In December 2023, the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat have extended another invitation to the Hub to nominate a speaker for the 2024 UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters, New York. The collaboration titled "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth" has demonstrable policy and public services impacts as it has raised awareness and built a network of civil society organisations, academic, governments and UN bodies to advance children and young people's human rights to a healthy ocean at various international processes including the UN World Oceans Day from 2020 to 2023, the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, and Climate COP27 in Egypt. This collaboration also delivered societal impacts by providing capacity building to 104,787 government officials, civil society, representatives of regional and international organisations, businesses, children and youth activists, academics and students on the interlinkages between ocean, climate change and human rights through the co-organisation of a total of 28 online, in-person and hybrid events. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. For events where the Hub had been able to collect information about attendees' gender, the findings showed that over 50 per cent of attendees were women. This confirms the interest of women in discussion around ocean governance and calls for the need for increase of capacity building for women in this area. |
| Impact | List of 23 side-events that the One Ocean Hub has co-organised and hosted for the UN World Ocean Day as part of the FOWOD community. These events were attended by 104,187 participants including government officials, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, researchers and students. For detailed information see the collaboration entry titled "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance": • Art for the Ocean, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3X07HXs • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RmTjqW • Breaking Laws on the Sea, 12 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3l1YtfT • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3wMyYSw • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life), 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3qr7Mpf • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea), 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3KSS1Qj • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3HhMceY • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RlvqQJ • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: https://bit.ly/3YdrgfR • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3DwmMJm • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue!, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3Ygea1G • Wonders of the Deep, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3kY8ieY • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU • Intangible Cultural Ocean Heritage and Participatory Research Methods, 8 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/CTzCTnQNoD4 • Canoe Culture and Heritage Ghana, 9 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/tdWFQ9Znank • Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning, 10 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/mP4LU8_4KK8 • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The Hub partnered with Peace Boat at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal in the following events: 1. Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (led by Peace Boat), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). See here: https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent. The event was attended by 250 participants. 2. Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance), 27 June 2022 Venue: WaterX - Powering Nautical Events, Doca Alcântara. See here: https://bit.ly/UNOcean-Reception-June27. The event was attended by 100 high-level attendees including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. List of collaborative side-events with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at COP27 1. Roundtable: Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit (led by Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort 58 Gardens Bay Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. More information here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. 2. Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, EXTREME Hangout, the Lawn, Park Regency Hotel, Sharm El Sheikh. More information here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ocean-innovation-partnership-dinner-tickets-461929372187 and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/98fsliln6dckk2lgai7lq246hn. The event was attended by 100 attendees. 3. A video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana was screened before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit organised by Oceanic Global on 11th November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. For more information see here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/ and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU. The event was attended by 100 attendees. Mpume Mthombeni's performance at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. Blogposts Febrica S and Snow B. (2022). "Sailing to the climate COP27."Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/. Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/. Febrica S. (2022). "Contributing to defining the 2022 UN Ocean Conference Interactive Dialogue." https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-defining-the-2022-un-ocean-conference-interactive-dialogues/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Peer-reviewed article Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No.26." Environmental Policy and Law. DOI 10.3233/EPL-219052. Available from here: https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052. Open access article is available here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4284824. Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth |
| Organisation | UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global began in June 2020 through the Friends of the United Nations World Ocean Day (FOWOD) working group. The FOWOD is chaired by Peace Boat and co-led by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) and the Oceanic Global. It is an informal community of individuals and organisations active in the field of ocean affairs to support the marking of United Nations World Oceans Day, 8 June, and related activities. This year is the fifth year running that the One Ocean Hub has been the FOWOD. To date, the Hub has co-organised and hosted 23 unique events through the UN World Ocean Day 2020-2023, which are listed below. These events were organised with representation from across all Hub focus countries. Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global through FOWOD led to closer collaboration with Peace Boat on youth empowerment and ocean-climate action at 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Portugal and Climate COP27 in Egypt. During the UN Ocean Conference, the One Ocean Hub engaged with Peace Boat and other partners on the following key messages: • Inclusive ocean knowledge co-production supports the development of fair and sustainable blue economies. • The Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved if human rights are mainstreamed in ocean science and policy. • The latest understanding of deep-sea ecosystems, and their benefits to humanity, must be considered in decisions that can impact the ocean. • The arts provide a space for transformative dialogue about blue economies that respond to the human rights of indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers, including women and children. The Hub has contributed and co-hosted ten in-person, virtual, and hybrid events on 27 June - 1 July 2022. Two of these in-person events were led by Peace Boat on 27 June 2022: 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent) and Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Blue Planet Alliance). The 'Scaling up Ocean Action' event was co-organised by the Republic of Kiribati and Peace Boat with the Government of the Republic of Palau, Oceanic Global, One Ocean Hub, Ciencia Viva, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, Proteus Group, United by the Sea, and the Blue Planet Alliance. The event explored the connection amongst partner organisations working towards education for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, as well as the importance of innovation for the ocean, and youth empowerment for the future generation of ocean leaders. The Hub was represented by Dr Bernadette Snow, Deputy Director of One Ocean Hub, who shared the Hub's research findings and experience in empowering children and young people. The 'High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action' aimed to expand networks of leaders in ocean space. The Hub further collaborated with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at the UN Climate COP27 (Sharm el-Sheikh, 6-18 November 2022) to advance Children's Environmental Rights Initiative key messages: 1. Ocean-based action need to specifically consider children rights, including the assessment of blue carbon initiative, adaptation and loss and damage. 2. We need we need guidelines on fisheries as part of ocean-based adaptation approaches to strengthen resilience, prevent damage and protect children's rights 3. Ocean-climate action must limit the impacts of ocean acidification on children's rights. The Hub contributed to the Roundtable "Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit" led by Oceanic Global on 11 November 2022 and together with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global co-organised Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised) on the same day. The Hub together with Mara Ghilan, a youth representative from the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Peace Boat and Oceanic Global also co-organised a side-event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea' on 16 November 2022 at the first-ever Children and Youth Pavilion at UN Climate COP Blue Zone. This Hub-led event brought together children and youth representatives, organisations that work closely with youth, experts, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. The event focused on biodiversity finance and the ocean-climate-human rights nexus. It provided a platform to hear young voices on nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation and enable inter-generational learning on human rights and climate finance. The event explored what lessons can be learned from nature-based solutions in promoting and protecting children's and youth human rights, as attention on ocean-based climate action grows. It was designed to clarify how we can respect human rights standards in ocean-based climate solutions, by learning lessons from land-based climate action. During the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub was invited to contribute to the UN-led celebrations of World Ocean Day. Mpume Mthombeni delivered a performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York. Mpume Mthombeni is an actress, writer and director from South Africa, and a Hub researcher. She is a Sangoma or traditional healer who heals not with traditional medicine (umuthi) but rather with words and stories. She is the co-director of Empatheatre, a theatre collective that creates public-storytelling processes in which people across different power and agency can engage with decision making in embodied and contextual ways. Mpume shared how storytelling, and story-listening dissolves the barriers and disconnections between disciplines and departments, sculpts new evidence, new ways of valuing knowing and knowledge, and it creates new ways of making meaning with the ocean. Their co-created films and theatre productions have been used as evidence in court cases and in national and international policy development. Her performance elicited three rounds of applause and a standing ovation. In addition, the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS co-hosted the following three in-person events on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York at Peace Boat office at 777 United Nations Plaza, in New York: 1. Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June. The event enabled audience to experience multi-generational stories of evolving connections to the ocean from the perspectives of small-scale fishers, traditional healers, marine scientists and educators, and reflected on the importance of history, cultural heritage and different forms of knowledge for inclusive and integrated ocean governance. 2. International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023. The event explored the wonder of Indigenous knowledge on the role of the ocean in planetary ecological processes and areas of contact between Indigenous knowledge and ocean science. It addressed ways in which ocean researchers and decision-makers can work together with Indigenous and local knowledge holders. 3. Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023. The event explored a variety of art-based research approaches that support knowledge co-production on the ocean across different disciplines and cultures, and discussed how creative methods to better engage with, and protect the human rights of Indigenous and local knowledge holders within ocean governance could be adapted to collaborative projects and inclusion decision-making processes. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: UNDOALOS, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Conflict Research Network West Africa, Ghana; the Government of the Republic of Kiribati; and the Government of the Republic of Palau; • Research organisations based in Global North: Sciences Po, France; Grantham Research Institute, UK; Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Switzerland • Partner organisations based in Global North: Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, France. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Oceanic Global together with the UNDOALOS has been leading the development of the UN World Ocean Day programme since 2020. Oceanic Global has invited the One Ocean Hub to respond to global call for events and exhibitions and since 2022, Oceanic Global has approached the Hub directly to ask for nomination of speakers from the Hub. The 2023 theme for the UN World Oceans Day was 'Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. Time to put the ocean first!', and Oceanic Global invited the Hub to nominate a speaker in relation to 'capacity building: a story demonstrating the importance of capacity-building in addressing ocean issues'. In addition, as part of the partnership under the FOWOD, Peace Boat and the Hub co-organised five events during the UN World Ocean Week in New York. Peace Boat is a Japan-based international NGO working to promote peace, human rights, and sustainability. Guided by the SDGs, each year Peace Boar organises three global voyages and two shorter Asian regional voyages. Both onboard and in-port, Peace Boat programmes engage youth through travel and education to explore the main aspects of Peace Boat's activities - peace, human rights, and sustainability. At the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat co-organised with the Hub, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kiribati to the UN the event titled 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement', which was attended by 300 in-person participants and showcased the important role of youth in scaling up ocean action, in particular youth from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the front lines of the ocean crisis. Stocktaking successes and challenges since 2017, it also looked towards further developments and collaborations for empowerment and engagement of SIDS youth with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. In addition, Peace Boat has approached the Hub to discuss participating in their cruise programme (https://pbcruise.com/cruise/115).. This would be part of a programme that Peace Boat launched at the first (2017) UN Ocean Conference - the Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Programme in collaboration with the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) for youth leaders from states on the front line of climate change and marine degradation. They have since regularly travelled onboard Peace Boat's ship to engage in capacity building and awareness raising through public engagement, meeting with government and civil society representatives. The programme has been carried out through partnerships with national governments, academia, and civil society organisations to promote the implementation of SDG14. Each time, participants with diverse backgrounds in science, public policy, the arts, grassroots, and international activism shared their skills and experiences, as well as the diverse situations in their own countries. They visited ports in Europe and concluded in New York with events in collaboration with UN partners at the United Nations Headquarters including during UN World Oceans Day. To celebrate the beginning of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat in partnership with the One Ocean Hub, Blue Planet Alliance, Earth X, United by the Sea, Proteus Ocean Group, Water X, and Solgaard also co-organised a High-Level Reception on the WaterX Yacht. The event gathered 100 high-level attendees, including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. The success of this initiative led to further collaboration between the One Ocean Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global, Blue Planet Alliance, and Extreme Hangout to co-organise the Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner on 11 November 2022 at the UN Climate COP27 in Egypt. The event highlighted ocean innovation for climate action, including representatives from sustainable businesses, the United Nations, NGOs, civil society, artists, musicians, and youth who are making a positive impact for our climate. Together we are exploring opportunities to build our networks, mainstream the role of ocean in climate action and finance, and create lasting change for people and the planet for future UN Climate COPs and other international processes. Oceanic Global is an international NGO that sheds light on humanity's essential relationship to the ocean and empowers individuals, communities, and industries to create positive change. Oceanic Global works closely with youths and creates educational experiences, consults on sustainable operations, as well as engages local communities to generate measurable impact for collective wellbeing. Drawing from our close collaboration as part of the FOWOD, the Hub and Oceanic Global have collaborated closely at the UN Climate COP27. Oceanic Global led the Ocean X Climate Summit that the Hub contributed to. The event immersed global stakeholders in the importance and potential of the ocean within the climate change narrative, and to support more stakeholder action for the ocean and all it sustains. The Ocean X Climate Summit was organized in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. As part of the Summit, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow, contributed to the 'Roundtable: Creating a Common Agenda for our Shared Ocean'. Dr Snow's intervention highlighted the importance of the inclusion of different stakeholders including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, young and people and children and different knowledge systems to enhance the visibility and place of the ocean-climate nexus in international convenings and in national action. The Hub also facilitated video remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana, that was screened before a panel discussion on 'Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate' at the Summit. Dzidzor's video remarks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU) highlighted the direct impacts of climate change on children's rights to a healthy environment, health, and education, and the need for children's participation in decision making around ocean and climate change. Dzidzor's intervention at the Summit was made possible through support provided by Hub researchers in Ghana including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast), Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Ghana) and Dr Ibrahim Sulley (Conflict Research Network West Africa - Ghana Office). Both Oceanic Global and Peace Boat were also involved in co-organising the Hub-led event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea for the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt on 16 November 2022. At the event children from South Africa, Ghana, Greenland, and Samoa, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, David Boyd, and experts from the One Ocean Hub, Sciences Po, and Grantham Research Institute, LSE spoke about what they deemed as the most important priorities to address the challenges posed by climate change, why leadership and empowerment of young people are so important for tackling these challenges, and explored approaches needed to ensure protection of human rights. Representatives of youth and organisations that work closely with youth such as Oceanic Global, Peace Boat, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and Global Youth Biodiversity Network shared their experiences of youth climate advocacy work and the major challenges to youth climate action. They stressed that: • It is important for policy makers not only to hear youth's views, but also to integrate them into governance; • the difficulties to gain accreditation, the economic costs of participation, and the lack of technical assistance and capacity-building for youth to engage effectively as observers or negotiators hinder youth to participate in decision making process, such as COP27. Decision makers need to understand barriers that youth face to improve participation of youth in key ocean-climate decision making spaces. • Youth are fighting to reverse the impacts of climate change and to mainstream rights-based approaches, to ensure that children and youth vulnerabilities to climate change are recognised. • It is important to fund research in the Global South, particularly research carried out by young researchers to inform future climate change action. • Fighting for climate justice and equity is an intergenerational effort: it is critical to acknowledge existing work and ancient wisdom while uplifting and empowering the next generation. In 2023 the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS co-hosted five in-person events on 7-9 June 2023 to celebrate the UN World Oceans Week in New York. These events built upon the success of the Empatheatre live-performance events at Climate COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh (November 2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Rome (March 2023) as well as the insights arising from the Hub's workshop on arts-based research approaches to protect the human rights of small-scale fisheries in Rome (March 2023) (More information here https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf). The Hub's participation in the 2023 UN World Oceans Week has strengthened the Hub's contributions to UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and prepared the way towards further contributions at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024, and the preparation for the third UN Ocean Conference 2025. Three events were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Peace Boat, an official UN Ocean Decade partner that focuses on youth empowerment. These events linked the Hub research and engagement activities on intersection of art, ocean culture and heritage with one of the goals of Ocean Decade 'An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean in relation to human wellbeing and sustainable development'. It is expected that the Hub will be working more closely with Peace Boat in 2024 following the official appointment of the Hub as a UN Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity in October 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/). The two art events we co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS for the UN World Oceans Week were a 'Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance' on 7 June 2023 and the 'International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making' on 7 June 2023 helped to draw members of the Friends of the World Oceans Day's attention to the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). In the run up to the UN World Ocean Day, the password-protected film of "Indlela Yokuphila" was shared by the Hub Support Team in February 2023 with the three organisations who led the Friends of the World Oceans Day working group: the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat. This has led to the invitation to the Empatheatre team member, Mpume Mthombeni, to be one of the spotlight speakers at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 8 June 2023. Like the two previous side-events, the third event 'Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa' on 9 June 2023 has successively brought local perspectives into international conversations that is deemed rare at international events. Mpume Mthombeni, an artist and a traditional healer from South Africa, participated directly as a panellist in this event and the other two side-events co-organised with Peace Boat and the Blue Planet Alliance (https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/). Mpume Mthombeni's invited performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration on 8 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" was facilitated by the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global and Peace Boat. It highlighted the importance to engage traditional knowledge and traditional knowledge holders in a respectful manner. Mpume was the only speaker who received three rounds of applause and standing ovation at the event (Full event recording is available here: https://unworldoceansday.org; Individual segment of Mpume Mthombeni performance is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU). The 2023 UN World Ocean Day was attended by 350+ in-person attendees at the UN Headquarters, 102,000 online viewers, reaching 110 UN member states and 380 different organisations (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N0oI_O_H3hnvG4EKLmCxSEP25-mMMxwK/view). In December 2023, the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat have extended another invitation to the Hub to nominate a speaker for the 2024 UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters, New York. The collaboration titled "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth" has demonstrable policy and public services impacts as it has raised awareness and built a network of civil society organisations, academic, governments and UN bodies to advance children and young people's human rights to a healthy ocean at various international processes including the UN World Oceans Day from 2020 to 2023, the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, and Climate COP27 in Egypt. This collaboration also delivered societal impacts by providing capacity building to 104,787 government officials, civil society, representatives of regional and international organisations, businesses, children and youth activists, academics and students on the interlinkages between ocean, climate change and human rights through the co-organisation of a total of 28 online, in-person and hybrid events. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. For events where the Hub had been able to collect information about attendees' gender, the findings showed that over 50 per cent of attendees were women. This confirms the interest of women in discussion around ocean governance and calls for the need for increase of capacity building for women in this area. |
| Impact | List of 23 side-events that the One Ocean Hub has co-organised and hosted for the UN World Ocean Day as part of the FOWOD community. These events were attended by 104,187 participants including government officials, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, researchers and students. For detailed information see the collaboration entry titled "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance": • Art for the Ocean, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3X07HXs • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RmTjqW • Breaking Laws on the Sea, 12 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3l1YtfT • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3wMyYSw • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life), 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3qr7Mpf • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea), 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3KSS1Qj • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3HhMceY • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RlvqQJ • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: https://bit.ly/3YdrgfR • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3DwmMJm • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue!, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3Ygea1G • Wonders of the Deep, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3kY8ieY • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU • Intangible Cultural Ocean Heritage and Participatory Research Methods, 8 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/CTzCTnQNoD4 • Canoe Culture and Heritage Ghana, 9 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/tdWFQ9Znank • Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning, 10 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/mP4LU8_4KK8 • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The Hub partnered with Peace Boat at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal in the following events: 1. Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (led by Peace Boat), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). See here: https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent. The event was attended by 250 participants. 2. Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance), 27 June 2022 Venue: WaterX - Powering Nautical Events, Doca Alcântara. See here: https://bit.ly/UNOcean-Reception-June27. The event was attended by 100 high-level attendees including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. List of collaborative side-events with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at COP27 1. Roundtable: Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit (led by Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort 58 Gardens Bay Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. More information here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. 2. Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, EXTREME Hangout, the Lawn, Park Regency Hotel, Sharm El Sheikh. More information here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ocean-innovation-partnership-dinner-tickets-461929372187 and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/98fsliln6dckk2lgai7lq246hn. The event was attended by 100 attendees. 3. A video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana was screened before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit organised by Oceanic Global on 11th November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. For more information see here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/ and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU. The event was attended by 100 attendees. Mpume Mthombeni's performance at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. Blogposts Febrica S and Snow B. (2022). "Sailing to the climate COP27."Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/. Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/. Febrica S. (2022). "Contributing to defining the 2022 UN Ocean Conference Interactive Dialogue." https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-defining-the-2022-un-ocean-conference-interactive-dialogues/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Peer-reviewed article Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No.26." Environmental Policy and Law. DOI 10.3233/EPL-219052. Available from here: https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052. Open access article is available here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4284824. Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global began in June 2020 through the Friends of the United Nations World Ocean Day (FOWOD) working group. The FOWOD is chaired by Peace Boat and co-led by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) and the Oceanic Global. It is an informal community of individuals and organisations active in the field of ocean affairs to support the marking of United Nations World Oceans Day, 8 June, and related activities. This year is the fifth year running that the One Ocean Hub has been the FOWOD. To date, the Hub has co-organised and hosted 23 unique events through the UN World Ocean Day 2020-2023, which are listed below. These events were organised with representation from across all Hub focus countries. Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global through FOWOD led to closer collaboration with Peace Boat on youth empowerment and ocean-climate action at 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Portugal and Climate COP27 in Egypt. During the UN Ocean Conference, the One Ocean Hub engaged with Peace Boat and other partners on the following key messages: • Inclusive ocean knowledge co-production supports the development of fair and sustainable blue economies. • The Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved if human rights are mainstreamed in ocean science and policy. • The latest understanding of deep-sea ecosystems, and their benefits to humanity, must be considered in decisions that can impact the ocean. • The arts provide a space for transformative dialogue about blue economies that respond to the human rights of indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers, including women and children. The Hub has contributed and co-hosted ten in-person, virtual, and hybrid events on 27 June - 1 July 2022. Two of these in-person events were led by Peace Boat on 27 June 2022: 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent) and Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Blue Planet Alliance). The 'Scaling up Ocean Action' event was co-organised by the Republic of Kiribati and Peace Boat with the Government of the Republic of Palau, Oceanic Global, One Ocean Hub, Ciencia Viva, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, Proteus Group, United by the Sea, and the Blue Planet Alliance. The event explored the connection amongst partner organisations working towards education for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, as well as the importance of innovation for the ocean, and youth empowerment for the future generation of ocean leaders. The Hub was represented by Dr Bernadette Snow, Deputy Director of One Ocean Hub, who shared the Hub's research findings and experience in empowering children and young people. The 'High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action' aimed to expand networks of leaders in ocean space. The Hub further collaborated with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at the UN Climate COP27 (Sharm el-Sheikh, 6-18 November 2022) to advance Children's Environmental Rights Initiative key messages: 1. Ocean-based action need to specifically consider children rights, including the assessment of blue carbon initiative, adaptation and loss and damage. 2. We need we need guidelines on fisheries as part of ocean-based adaptation approaches to strengthen resilience, prevent damage and protect children's rights 3. Ocean-climate action must limit the impacts of ocean acidification on children's rights. The Hub contributed to the Roundtable "Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit" led by Oceanic Global on 11 November 2022 and together with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global co-organised Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised) on the same day. The Hub together with Mara Ghilan, a youth representative from the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Peace Boat and Oceanic Global also co-organised a side-event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea' on 16 November 2022 at the first-ever Children and Youth Pavilion at UN Climate COP Blue Zone. This Hub-led event brought together children and youth representatives, organisations that work closely with youth, experts, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. The event focused on biodiversity finance and the ocean-climate-human rights nexus. It provided a platform to hear young voices on nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation and enable inter-generational learning on human rights and climate finance. The event explored what lessons can be learned from nature-based solutions in promoting and protecting children's and youth human rights, as attention on ocean-based climate action grows. It was designed to clarify how we can respect human rights standards in ocean-based climate solutions, by learning lessons from land-based climate action. During the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub was invited to contribute to the UN-led celebrations of World Ocean Day. Mpume Mthombeni delivered a performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York. Mpume Mthombeni is an actress, writer and director from South Africa, and a Hub researcher. She is a Sangoma or traditional healer who heals not with traditional medicine (umuthi) but rather with words and stories. She is the co-director of Empatheatre, a theatre collective that creates public-storytelling processes in which people across different power and agency can engage with decision making in embodied and contextual ways. Mpume shared how storytelling, and story-listening dissolves the barriers and disconnections between disciplines and departments, sculpts new evidence, new ways of valuing knowing and knowledge, and it creates new ways of making meaning with the ocean. Their co-created films and theatre productions have been used as evidence in court cases and in national and international policy development. Her performance elicited three rounds of applause and a standing ovation. In addition, the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS co-hosted the following three in-person events on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York at Peace Boat office at 777 United Nations Plaza, in New York: 1. Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June. The event enabled audience to experience multi-generational stories of evolving connections to the ocean from the perspectives of small-scale fishers, traditional healers, marine scientists and educators, and reflected on the importance of history, cultural heritage and different forms of knowledge for inclusive and integrated ocean governance. 2. International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023. The event explored the wonder of Indigenous knowledge on the role of the ocean in planetary ecological processes and areas of contact between Indigenous knowledge and ocean science. It addressed ways in which ocean researchers and decision-makers can work together with Indigenous and local knowledge holders. 3. Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023. The event explored a variety of art-based research approaches that support knowledge co-production on the ocean across different disciplines and cultures, and discussed how creative methods to better engage with, and protect the human rights of Indigenous and local knowledge holders within ocean governance could be adapted to collaborative projects and inclusion decision-making processes. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: UNDOALOS, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Conflict Research Network West Africa, Ghana; the Government of the Republic of Kiribati; and the Government of the Republic of Palau; • Research organisations based in Global North: Sciences Po, France; Grantham Research Institute, UK; Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Switzerland • Partner organisations based in Global North: Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, France. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Oceanic Global together with the UNDOALOS has been leading the development of the UN World Ocean Day programme since 2020. Oceanic Global has invited the One Ocean Hub to respond to global call for events and exhibitions and since 2022, Oceanic Global has approached the Hub directly to ask for nomination of speakers from the Hub. The 2023 theme for the UN World Oceans Day was 'Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. Time to put the ocean first!', and Oceanic Global invited the Hub to nominate a speaker in relation to 'capacity building: a story demonstrating the importance of capacity-building in addressing ocean issues'. In addition, as part of the partnership under the FOWOD, Peace Boat and the Hub co-organised five events during the UN World Ocean Week in New York. Peace Boat is a Japan-based international NGO working to promote peace, human rights, and sustainability. Guided by the SDGs, each year Peace Boar organises three global voyages and two shorter Asian regional voyages. Both onboard and in-port, Peace Boat programmes engage youth through travel and education to explore the main aspects of Peace Boat's activities - peace, human rights, and sustainability. At the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat co-organised with the Hub, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kiribati to the UN the event titled 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement', which was attended by 300 in-person participants and showcased the important role of youth in scaling up ocean action, in particular youth from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the front lines of the ocean crisis. Stocktaking successes and challenges since 2017, it also looked towards further developments and collaborations for empowerment and engagement of SIDS youth with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. In addition, Peace Boat has approached the Hub to discuss participating in their cruise programme (https://pbcruise.com/cruise/115).. This would be part of a programme that Peace Boat launched at the first (2017) UN Ocean Conference - the Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Programme in collaboration with the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) for youth leaders from states on the front line of climate change and marine degradation. They have since regularly travelled onboard Peace Boat's ship to engage in capacity building and awareness raising through public engagement, meeting with government and civil society representatives. The programme has been carried out through partnerships with national governments, academia, and civil society organisations to promote the implementation of SDG14. Each time, participants with diverse backgrounds in science, public policy, the arts, grassroots, and international activism shared their skills and experiences, as well as the diverse situations in their own countries. They visited ports in Europe and concluded in New York with events in collaboration with UN partners at the United Nations Headquarters including during UN World Oceans Day. To celebrate the beginning of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat in partnership with the One Ocean Hub, Blue Planet Alliance, Earth X, United by the Sea, Proteus Ocean Group, Water X, and Solgaard also co-organised a High-Level Reception on the WaterX Yacht. The event gathered 100 high-level attendees, including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. The success of this initiative led to further collaboration between the One Ocean Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global, Blue Planet Alliance, and Extreme Hangout to co-organise the Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner on 11 November 2022 at the UN Climate COP27 in Egypt. The event highlighted ocean innovation for climate action, including representatives from sustainable businesses, the United Nations, NGOs, civil society, artists, musicians, and youth who are making a positive impact for our climate. Together we are exploring opportunities to build our networks, mainstream the role of ocean in climate action and finance, and create lasting change for people and the planet for future UN Climate COPs and other international processes. Oceanic Global is an international NGO that sheds light on humanity's essential relationship to the ocean and empowers individuals, communities, and industries to create positive change. Oceanic Global works closely with youths and creates educational experiences, consults on sustainable operations, as well as engages local communities to generate measurable impact for collective wellbeing. Drawing from our close collaboration as part of the FOWOD, the Hub and Oceanic Global have collaborated closely at the UN Climate COP27. Oceanic Global led the Ocean X Climate Summit that the Hub contributed to. The event immersed global stakeholders in the importance and potential of the ocean within the climate change narrative, and to support more stakeholder action for the ocean and all it sustains. The Ocean X Climate Summit was organized in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. As part of the Summit, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow, contributed to the 'Roundtable: Creating a Common Agenda for our Shared Ocean'. Dr Snow's intervention highlighted the importance of the inclusion of different stakeholders including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, young and people and children and different knowledge systems to enhance the visibility and place of the ocean-climate nexus in international convenings and in national action. The Hub also facilitated video remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana, that was screened before a panel discussion on 'Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate' at the Summit. Dzidzor's video remarks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU) highlighted the direct impacts of climate change on children's rights to a healthy environment, health, and education, and the need for children's participation in decision making around ocean and climate change. Dzidzor's intervention at the Summit was made possible through support provided by Hub researchers in Ghana including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast), Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Ghana) and Dr Ibrahim Sulley (Conflict Research Network West Africa - Ghana Office). Both Oceanic Global and Peace Boat were also involved in co-organising the Hub-led event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea for the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt on 16 November 2022. At the event children from South Africa, Ghana, Greenland, and Samoa, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, David Boyd, and experts from the One Ocean Hub, Sciences Po, and Grantham Research Institute, LSE spoke about what they deemed as the most important priorities to address the challenges posed by climate change, why leadership and empowerment of young people are so important for tackling these challenges, and explored approaches needed to ensure protection of human rights. Representatives of youth and organisations that work closely with youth such as Oceanic Global, Peace Boat, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and Global Youth Biodiversity Network shared their experiences of youth climate advocacy work and the major challenges to youth climate action. They stressed that: • It is important for policy makers not only to hear youth's views, but also to integrate them into governance; • the difficulties to gain accreditation, the economic costs of participation, and the lack of technical assistance and capacity-building for youth to engage effectively as observers or negotiators hinder youth to participate in decision making process, such as COP27. Decision makers need to understand barriers that youth face to improve participation of youth in key ocean-climate decision making spaces. • Youth are fighting to reverse the impacts of climate change and to mainstream rights-based approaches, to ensure that children and youth vulnerabilities to climate change are recognised. • It is important to fund research in the Global South, particularly research carried out by young researchers to inform future climate change action. • Fighting for climate justice and equity is an intergenerational effort: it is critical to acknowledge existing work and ancient wisdom while uplifting and empowering the next generation. In 2023 the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS co-hosted five in-person events on 7-9 June 2023 to celebrate the UN World Oceans Week in New York. These events built upon the success of the Empatheatre live-performance events at Climate COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh (November 2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Rome (March 2023) as well as the insights arising from the Hub's workshop on arts-based research approaches to protect the human rights of small-scale fisheries in Rome (March 2023) (More information here https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf). The Hub's participation in the 2023 UN World Oceans Week has strengthened the Hub's contributions to UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and prepared the way towards further contributions at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024, and the preparation for the third UN Ocean Conference 2025. Three events were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Peace Boat, an official UN Ocean Decade partner that focuses on youth empowerment. These events linked the Hub research and engagement activities on intersection of art, ocean culture and heritage with one of the goals of Ocean Decade 'An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean in relation to human wellbeing and sustainable development'. It is expected that the Hub will be working more closely with Peace Boat in 2024 following the official appointment of the Hub as a UN Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity in October 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/). The two art events we co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS for the UN World Oceans Week were a 'Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance' on 7 June 2023 and the 'International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making' on 7 June 2023 helped to draw members of the Friends of the World Oceans Day's attention to the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). In the run up to the UN World Ocean Day, the password-protected film of "Indlela Yokuphila" was shared by the Hub Support Team in February 2023 with the three organisations who led the Friends of the World Oceans Day working group: the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat. This has led to the invitation to the Empatheatre team member, Mpume Mthombeni, to be one of the spotlight speakers at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 8 June 2023. Like the two previous side-events, the third event 'Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa' on 9 June 2023 has successively brought local perspectives into international conversations that is deemed rare at international events. Mpume Mthombeni, an artist and a traditional healer from South Africa, participated directly as a panellist in this event and the other two side-events co-organised with Peace Boat and the Blue Planet Alliance (https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/). Mpume Mthombeni's invited performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration on 8 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" was facilitated by the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global and Peace Boat. It highlighted the importance to engage traditional knowledge and traditional knowledge holders in a respectful manner. Mpume was the only speaker who received three rounds of applause and standing ovation at the event (Full event recording is available here: https://unworldoceansday.org; Individual segment of Mpume Mthombeni performance is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU). The 2023 UN World Ocean Day was attended by 350+ in-person attendees at the UN Headquarters, 102,000 online viewers, reaching 110 UN member states and 380 different organisations (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N0oI_O_H3hnvG4EKLmCxSEP25-mMMxwK/view). In December 2023, the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat have extended another invitation to the Hub to nominate a speaker for the 2024 UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters, New York. The collaboration titled "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth" has demonstrable policy and public services impacts as it has raised awareness and built a network of civil society organisations, academic, governments and UN bodies to advance children and young people's human rights to a healthy ocean at various international processes including the UN World Oceans Day from 2020 to 2023, the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, and Climate COP27 in Egypt. This collaboration also delivered societal impacts by providing capacity building to 104,787 government officials, civil society, representatives of regional and international organisations, businesses, children and youth activists, academics and students on the interlinkages between ocean, climate change and human rights through the co-organisation of a total of 28 online, in-person and hybrid events. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. For events where the Hub had been able to collect information about attendees' gender, the findings showed that over 50 per cent of attendees were women. This confirms the interest of women in discussion around ocean governance and calls for the need for increase of capacity building for women in this area. |
| Impact | List of 23 side-events that the One Ocean Hub has co-organised and hosted for the UN World Ocean Day as part of the FOWOD community. These events were attended by 104,187 participants including government officials, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, researchers and students. For detailed information see the collaboration entry titled "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance": • Art for the Ocean, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3X07HXs • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RmTjqW • Breaking Laws on the Sea, 12 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3l1YtfT • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3wMyYSw • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life), 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3qr7Mpf • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea), 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3KSS1Qj • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3HhMceY • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RlvqQJ • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: https://bit.ly/3YdrgfR • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3DwmMJm • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue!, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3Ygea1G • Wonders of the Deep, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3kY8ieY • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU • Intangible Cultural Ocean Heritage and Participatory Research Methods, 8 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/CTzCTnQNoD4 • Canoe Culture and Heritage Ghana, 9 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/tdWFQ9Znank • Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning, 10 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/mP4LU8_4KK8 • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The Hub partnered with Peace Boat at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal in the following events: 1. Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (led by Peace Boat), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). See here: https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent. The event was attended by 250 participants. 2. Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance), 27 June 2022 Venue: WaterX - Powering Nautical Events, Doca Alcântara. See here: https://bit.ly/UNOcean-Reception-June27. The event was attended by 100 high-level attendees including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. List of collaborative side-events with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at COP27 1. Roundtable: Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit (led by Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort 58 Gardens Bay Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. More information here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. 2. Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, EXTREME Hangout, the Lawn, Park Regency Hotel, Sharm El Sheikh. More information here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ocean-innovation-partnership-dinner-tickets-461929372187 and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/98fsliln6dckk2lgai7lq246hn. The event was attended by 100 attendees. 3. A video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana was screened before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit organised by Oceanic Global on 11th November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. For more information see here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/ and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU. The event was attended by 100 attendees. Mpume Mthombeni's performance at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. Blogposts Febrica S and Snow B. (2022). "Sailing to the climate COP27."Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/. Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/. Febrica S. (2022). "Contributing to defining the 2022 UN Ocean Conference Interactive Dialogue." https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-defining-the-2022-un-ocean-conference-interactive-dialogues/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Peer-reviewed article Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No.26." Environmental Policy and Law. DOI 10.3233/EPL-219052. Available from here: https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052. Open access article is available here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4284824. Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth |
| Organisation | University of Education, Winneba |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global began in June 2020 through the Friends of the United Nations World Ocean Day (FOWOD) working group. The FOWOD is chaired by Peace Boat and co-led by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) and the Oceanic Global. It is an informal community of individuals and organisations active in the field of ocean affairs to support the marking of United Nations World Oceans Day, 8 June, and related activities. This year is the fifth year running that the One Ocean Hub has been the FOWOD. To date, the Hub has co-organised and hosted 23 unique events through the UN World Ocean Day 2020-2023, which are listed below. These events were organised with representation from across all Hub focus countries. Collaboration with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global through FOWOD led to closer collaboration with Peace Boat on youth empowerment and ocean-climate action at 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Portugal and Climate COP27 in Egypt. During the UN Ocean Conference, the One Ocean Hub engaged with Peace Boat and other partners on the following key messages: • Inclusive ocean knowledge co-production supports the development of fair and sustainable blue economies. • The Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved if human rights are mainstreamed in ocean science and policy. • The latest understanding of deep-sea ecosystems, and their benefits to humanity, must be considered in decisions that can impact the ocean. • The arts provide a space for transformative dialogue about blue economies that respond to the human rights of indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers, including women and children. The Hub has contributed and co-hosted ten in-person, virtual, and hybrid events on 27 June - 1 July 2022. Two of these in-person events were led by Peace Boat on 27 June 2022: 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent) and Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Blue Planet Alliance). The 'Scaling up Ocean Action' event was co-organised by the Republic of Kiribati and Peace Boat with the Government of the Republic of Palau, Oceanic Global, One Ocean Hub, Ciencia Viva, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, Proteus Group, United by the Sea, and the Blue Planet Alliance. The event explored the connection amongst partner organisations working towards education for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, as well as the importance of innovation for the ocean, and youth empowerment for the future generation of ocean leaders. The Hub was represented by Dr Bernadette Snow, Deputy Director of One Ocean Hub, who shared the Hub's research findings and experience in empowering children and young people. The 'High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action' aimed to expand networks of leaders in ocean space. The Hub further collaborated with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at the UN Climate COP27 (Sharm el-Sheikh, 6-18 November 2022) to advance Children's Environmental Rights Initiative key messages: 1. Ocean-based action need to specifically consider children rights, including the assessment of blue carbon initiative, adaptation and loss and damage. 2. We need we need guidelines on fisheries as part of ocean-based adaptation approaches to strengthen resilience, prevent damage and protect children's rights 3. Ocean-climate action must limit the impacts of ocean acidification on children's rights. The Hub contributed to the Roundtable "Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit" led by Oceanic Global on 11 November 2022 and together with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global co-organised Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised) on the same day. The Hub together with Mara Ghilan, a youth representative from the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Peace Boat and Oceanic Global also co-organised a side-event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea' on 16 November 2022 at the first-ever Children and Youth Pavilion at UN Climate COP Blue Zone. This Hub-led event brought together children and youth representatives, organisations that work closely with youth, experts, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. The event focused on biodiversity finance and the ocean-climate-human rights nexus. It provided a platform to hear young voices on nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation and enable inter-generational learning on human rights and climate finance. The event explored what lessons can be learned from nature-based solutions in promoting and protecting children's and youth human rights, as attention on ocean-based climate action grows. It was designed to clarify how we can respect human rights standards in ocean-based climate solutions, by learning lessons from land-based climate action. During the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub was invited to contribute to the UN-led celebrations of World Ocean Day. Mpume Mthombeni delivered a performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York. Mpume Mthombeni is an actress, writer and director from South Africa, and a Hub researcher. She is a Sangoma or traditional healer who heals not with traditional medicine (umuthi) but rather with words and stories. She is the co-director of Empatheatre, a theatre collective that creates public-storytelling processes in which people across different power and agency can engage with decision making in embodied and contextual ways. Mpume shared how storytelling, and story-listening dissolves the barriers and disconnections between disciplines and departments, sculpts new evidence, new ways of valuing knowing and knowledge, and it creates new ways of making meaning with the ocean. Their co-created films and theatre productions have been used as evidence in court cases and in national and international policy development. Her performance elicited three rounds of applause and a standing ovation. In addition, the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS co-hosted the following three in-person events on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York at Peace Boat office at 777 United Nations Plaza, in New York: 1. Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June. The event enabled audience to experience multi-generational stories of evolving connections to the ocean from the perspectives of small-scale fishers, traditional healers, marine scientists and educators, and reflected on the importance of history, cultural heritage and different forms of knowledge for inclusive and integrated ocean governance. 2. International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023. The event explored the wonder of Indigenous knowledge on the role of the ocean in planetary ecological processes and areas of contact between Indigenous knowledge and ocean science. It addressed ways in which ocean researchers and decision-makers can work together with Indigenous and local knowledge holders. 3. Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023. The event explored a variety of art-based research approaches that support knowledge co-production on the ocean across different disciplines and cultures, and discussed how creative methods to better engage with, and protect the human rights of Indigenous and local knowledge holders within ocean governance could be adapted to collaborative projects and inclusion decision-making processes. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: UNDOALOS, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Conflict Research Network West Africa, Ghana; the Government of the Republic of Kiribati; and the Government of the Republic of Palau; • Research organisations based in Global North: Sciences Po, France; Grantham Research Institute, UK; Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Switzerland • Partner organisations based in Global North: Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, France. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Oceanic Global together with the UNDOALOS has been leading the development of the UN World Ocean Day programme since 2020. Oceanic Global has invited the One Ocean Hub to respond to global call for events and exhibitions and since 2022, Oceanic Global has approached the Hub directly to ask for nomination of speakers from the Hub. The 2023 theme for the UN World Oceans Day was 'Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. Time to put the ocean first!', and Oceanic Global invited the Hub to nominate a speaker in relation to 'capacity building: a story demonstrating the importance of capacity-building in addressing ocean issues'. In addition, as part of the partnership under the FOWOD, Peace Boat and the Hub co-organised five events during the UN World Ocean Week in New York. Peace Boat is a Japan-based international NGO working to promote peace, human rights, and sustainability. Guided by the SDGs, each year Peace Boar organises three global voyages and two shorter Asian regional voyages. Both onboard and in-port, Peace Boat programmes engage youth through travel and education to explore the main aspects of Peace Boat's activities - peace, human rights, and sustainability. At the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat co-organised with the Hub, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kiribati to the UN the event titled 'Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement', which was attended by 300 in-person participants and showcased the important role of youth in scaling up ocean action, in particular youth from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the front lines of the ocean crisis. Stocktaking successes and challenges since 2017, it also looked towards further developments and collaborations for empowerment and engagement of SIDS youth with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. In addition, Peace Boat has approached the Hub to discuss participating in their cruise programme (https://pbcruise.com/cruise/115).. This would be part of a programme that Peace Boat launched at the first (2017) UN Ocean Conference - the Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Programme in collaboration with the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) for youth leaders from states on the front line of climate change and marine degradation. They have since regularly travelled onboard Peace Boat's ship to engage in capacity building and awareness raising through public engagement, meeting with government and civil society representatives. The programme has been carried out through partnerships with national governments, academia, and civil society organisations to promote the implementation of SDG14. Each time, participants with diverse backgrounds in science, public policy, the arts, grassroots, and international activism shared their skills and experiences, as well as the diverse situations in their own countries. They visited ports in Europe and concluded in New York with events in collaboration with UN partners at the United Nations Headquarters including during UN World Oceans Day. To celebrate the beginning of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, Peace Boat in partnership with the One Ocean Hub, Blue Planet Alliance, Earth X, United by the Sea, Proteus Ocean Group, Water X, and Solgaard also co-organised a High-Level Reception on the WaterX Yacht. The event gathered 100 high-level attendees, including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. The success of this initiative led to further collaboration between the One Ocean Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global, Blue Planet Alliance, and Extreme Hangout to co-organise the Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner on 11 November 2022 at the UN Climate COP27 in Egypt. The event highlighted ocean innovation for climate action, including representatives from sustainable businesses, the United Nations, NGOs, civil society, artists, musicians, and youth who are making a positive impact for our climate. Together we are exploring opportunities to build our networks, mainstream the role of ocean in climate action and finance, and create lasting change for people and the planet for future UN Climate COPs and other international processes. Oceanic Global is an international NGO that sheds light on humanity's essential relationship to the ocean and empowers individuals, communities, and industries to create positive change. Oceanic Global works closely with youths and creates educational experiences, consults on sustainable operations, as well as engages local communities to generate measurable impact for collective wellbeing. Drawing from our close collaboration as part of the FOWOD, the Hub and Oceanic Global have collaborated closely at the UN Climate COP27. Oceanic Global led the Ocean X Climate Summit that the Hub contributed to. The event immersed global stakeholders in the importance and potential of the ocean within the climate change narrative, and to support more stakeholder action for the ocean and all it sustains. The Ocean X Climate Summit was organized in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. As part of the Summit, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow, contributed to the 'Roundtable: Creating a Common Agenda for our Shared Ocean'. Dr Snow's intervention highlighted the importance of the inclusion of different stakeholders including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, young and people and children and different knowledge systems to enhance the visibility and place of the ocean-climate nexus in international convenings and in national action. The Hub also facilitated video remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana, that was screened before a panel discussion on 'Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate' at the Summit. Dzidzor's video remarks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU) highlighted the direct impacts of climate change on children's rights to a healthy environment, health, and education, and the need for children's participation in decision making around ocean and climate change. Dzidzor's intervention at the Summit was made possible through support provided by Hub researchers in Ghana including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast), Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Ghana) and Dr Ibrahim Sulley (Conflict Research Network West Africa - Ghana Office). Both Oceanic Global and Peace Boat were also involved in co-organising the Hub-led event 'Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea for the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt on 16 November 2022. At the event children from South Africa, Ghana, Greenland, and Samoa, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, David Boyd, and experts from the One Ocean Hub, Sciences Po, and Grantham Research Institute, LSE spoke about what they deemed as the most important priorities to address the challenges posed by climate change, why leadership and empowerment of young people are so important for tackling these challenges, and explored approaches needed to ensure protection of human rights. Representatives of youth and organisations that work closely with youth such as Oceanic Global, Peace Boat, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and Global Youth Biodiversity Network shared their experiences of youth climate advocacy work and the major challenges to youth climate action. They stressed that: • It is important for policy makers not only to hear youth's views, but also to integrate them into governance; • the difficulties to gain accreditation, the economic costs of participation, and the lack of technical assistance and capacity-building for youth to engage effectively as observers or negotiators hinder youth to participate in decision making process, such as COP27. Decision makers need to understand barriers that youth face to improve participation of youth in key ocean-climate decision making spaces. • Youth are fighting to reverse the impacts of climate change and to mainstream rights-based approaches, to ensure that children and youth vulnerabilities to climate change are recognised. • It is important to fund research in the Global South, particularly research carried out by young researchers to inform future climate change action. • Fighting for climate justice and equity is an intergenerational effort: it is critical to acknowledge existing work and ancient wisdom while uplifting and empowering the next generation. In 2023 the Hub, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS co-hosted five in-person events on 7-9 June 2023 to celebrate the UN World Oceans Week in New York. These events built upon the success of the Empatheatre live-performance events at Climate COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh (November 2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Rome (March 2023) as well as the insights arising from the Hub's workshop on arts-based research approaches to protect the human rights of small-scale fisheries in Rome (March 2023) (More information here https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf). The Hub's participation in the 2023 UN World Oceans Week has strengthened the Hub's contributions to UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and prepared the way towards further contributions at the Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in July 2024, and the preparation for the third UN Ocean Conference 2025. Three events were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Peace Boat, an official UN Ocean Decade partner that focuses on youth empowerment. These events linked the Hub research and engagement activities on intersection of art, ocean culture and heritage with one of the goals of Ocean Decade 'An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean in relation to human wellbeing and sustainable development'. It is expected that the Hub will be working more closely with Peace Boat in 2024 following the official appointment of the Hub as a UN Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity in October 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/). The two art events we co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS for the UN World Oceans Week were a 'Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance' on 7 June 2023 and the 'International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making' on 7 June 2023 helped to draw members of the Friends of the World Oceans Day's attention to the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). In the run up to the UN World Ocean Day, the password-protected film of "Indlela Yokuphila" was shared by the Hub Support Team in February 2023 with the three organisations who led the Friends of the World Oceans Day working group: the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat. This has led to the invitation to the Empatheatre team member, Mpume Mthombeni, to be one of the spotlight speakers at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 8 June 2023. Like the two previous side-events, the third event 'Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa' on 9 June 2023 has successively brought local perspectives into international conversations that is deemed rare at international events. Mpume Mthombeni, an artist and a traditional healer from South Africa, participated directly as a panellist in this event and the other two side-events co-organised with Peace Boat and the Blue Planet Alliance (https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/). Mpume Mthombeni's invited performance and spotlight talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration on 8 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" was facilitated by the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global and Peace Boat. It highlighted the importance to engage traditional knowledge and traditional knowledge holders in a respectful manner. Mpume was the only speaker who received three rounds of applause and standing ovation at the event (Full event recording is available here: https://unworldoceansday.org; Individual segment of Mpume Mthombeni performance is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU). The 2023 UN World Ocean Day was attended by 350+ in-person attendees at the UN Headquarters, 102,000 online viewers, reaching 110 UN member states and 380 different organisations (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N0oI_O_H3hnvG4EKLmCxSEP25-mMMxwK/view). In December 2023, the UNDOALOS, Oceanic Global, and Peace Boat have extended another invitation to the Hub to nominate a speaker for the 2024 UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters, New York. The collaboration titled "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth" has demonstrable policy and public services impacts as it has raised awareness and built a network of civil society organisations, academic, governments and UN bodies to advance children and young people's human rights to a healthy ocean at various international processes including the UN World Oceans Day from 2020 to 2023, the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, and Climate COP27 in Egypt. This collaboration also delivered societal impacts by providing capacity building to 104,787 government officials, civil society, representatives of regional and international organisations, businesses, children and youth activists, academics and students on the interlinkages between ocean, climate change and human rights through the co-organisation of a total of 28 online, in-person and hybrid events. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. For events where the Hub had been able to collect information about attendees' gender, the findings showed that over 50 per cent of attendees were women. This confirms the interest of women in discussion around ocean governance and calls for the need for increase of capacity building for women in this area. |
| Impact | List of 23 side-events that the One Ocean Hub has co-organised and hosted for the UN World Ocean Day as part of the FOWOD community. These events were attended by 104,187 participants including government officials, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, researchers and students. For detailed information see the collaboration entry titled "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance": • Art for the Ocean, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3X07HXs • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RmTjqW • Breaking Laws on the Sea, 12 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3l1YtfT • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, 11 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3wMyYSw • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life), 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3qr7Mpf • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea), 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3KSS1Qj • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3HhMceY • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3RlvqQJ • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom, 9 June 2020. Recording available from here: https://bit.ly/3YdrgfR • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3DwmMJm • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue!, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3Ygea1G • Wonders of the Deep, 10 June 2020. Recording available from here: bit.ly/3kY8ieY • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU • Intangible Cultural Ocean Heritage and Participatory Research Methods, 8 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/CTzCTnQNoD4 • Canoe Culture and Heritage Ghana, 9 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/tdWFQ9Znank • Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning, 10 June 2021. Recording available from here: https://youtu.be/mP4LU8_4KK8 • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The Hub partnered with Peace Boat at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal in the following events: 1. Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (led by Peace Boat), 27 June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). See here: https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent. The event was attended by 250 participants. 2. Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance), 27 June 2022 Venue: WaterX - Powering Nautical Events, Doca Alcântara. See here: https://bit.ly/UNOcean-Reception-June27. The event was attended by 100 high-level attendees including government officials, representatives of regional and international organisations, NGOs, and youth representatives. List of collaborative side-events with Peace Boat and Oceanic Global at COP27 1. Roundtable: Centering the Ocean on the Agenda at the Ocean x Climate Summit (led by Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort 58 Gardens Bay Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. More information here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. 2. Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner (co-organised with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, Extreme Hangout and Oceanic Global) 11th November 2022, EXTREME Hangout, the Lawn, Park Regency Hotel, Sharm El Sheikh. More information here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ocean-innovation-partnership-dinner-tickets-461929372187 and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/98fsliln6dckk2lgai7lq246hn. The event was attended by 100 attendees. 3. A video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana was screened before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit organised by Oceanic Global on 11th November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. For more information see here: https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/ and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU. The event was attended by 100 attendees. Mpume Mthombeni's performance at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. Blogposts Febrica S and Snow B. (2022). "Sailing to the climate COP27."Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/. Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/. Febrica S. (2022). "Contributing to defining the 2022 UN Ocean Conference Interactive Dialogue." https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-defining-the-2022-un-ocean-conference-interactive-dialogues/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Peer-reviewed article Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No.26." Environmental Policy and Law. DOI 10.3233/EPL-219052. Available from here: https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052. Open access article is available here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4284824. Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building blue capacity across the globe |
| Organisation | Commonwealth of Learning (COL) |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub project partner, the University of Seychelles, is leading the development and facilitation of four massive open online courses (MOOC) on the blue economy. The courses are being offered by Blue Economy Research Institute - University of Seychelles in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning. MOOCs have been developed by the University of Seychelles working with researchers from across the Hub network in conceptualizing parts of the course, developing and delivering modules. The University of Seychelles and the Commonwealth of Learning developed the overall concept and content outline and Hub researchers provided technical content collation and delivery. In total 15 Hub researchers contributed to develop a four-part Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) series on the Blue Economy, attracting around ~1500 participants (~46% women), from various continents and island nations. the online format was designed to enable inclusivity, operating across time zones and caring commitments. The series was run from Jun 2020 to April 2021, reaching over ~1500 participants in over ~70 countries globally. On average ~98% of post-course survey respondents indicated they would recommend the MOOC to colleagues. Courses have drawn on expertise from across all Hub regions and disciplines: Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. (Teaching Assistant for the MOOC). OOH Knowledge Exchange Fellow Prof Kerry Howell, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Co-Director Dr Kirsty McQuaid, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Post Doctoral Researcher Prof Martin Attril, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher Prof Mathew Upton, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher. Dr Dylan McGarry, Rhodes University, South Africa. Environmental Learning Research Centre. OOH Co-Director Dr Alex Winkler, Rhodes University, South Africa. Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science. OOH Researcher Prof Pierre-Jean Bordahandy, the University of South Pacific. OOH Researcher Prof Rose Boswell, Nelson Mandela University, Research Chair in Ocean Cultures and Heritage. OOH Researcher Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, OOH Deputy Director Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University. Department of Development Studies. OOH PhD Student Dr Daniela Diz, Heriot Watt University, School of Energy and Geoscience. OOH Researcher Prof Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde. OOH Director and PI Mrs Kelly Hoareau, Blue Economy Research Institute, Seychelles (former Director). OOH Researcher. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. The following organisations are Hub's partners since the proposal stage: - Research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of South Pacific, Fiji and the University of Seychelles, Seychelles - Research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK and the University of Strathclyde, UK. The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought new partnership between the Hub with the Commonwealth of Learning, UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Commonwealth of Learning empowers people through learning that leads to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental conservation. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1987 to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL's greatest impact is in supporting efforts to provide Commonwealth citizens greater access to quality education and training through open, distance and technology-enabled learning, thereby allowing them to benefit from improved livelihoods, greater gender equity and overall economic, social and cultural development leading to sustainable development. The COL hosts a MOOC platform that provides a good learning experience at low bandwidth and offline where necessary. The COL partnered with University of Seychelles on the development of a MOOC series composed of four parts: • MOOC1: The Blue Economy: Sustainability, innovation and our ocean (Jun 2020) • MOOC2: The Blue Economy: Creating an Enabling Environment (Aug 2020) • MOOC3: The Blue Economy: Blue Resources (Jan 2021) • MOOC4: The Blue Economy: Blue Space (March 2021) This MOOCs introduced key blue economy sectors that can be developed, for example, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology. The course also explores some of the key considerations that influence the sustainability of individual sectors and blue economy strategies as a whole, such as gender equality and human rights. The course is hosted on the COL MOOCs for Development Website, and facilitated via the Commonwealth of Learning. Relevant links: https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy1 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy2 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy4 The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought societal impact. "The Blue Economy: Sustainability Innovation and Our Ocean" MOOC was updated and held for a second time starting on 29 October 2023 for five weeks in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute. This course was an introductory course exploring the foundational components of the blue economy. The course forms one of four courses that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute are hoping to update and offer (https://www.mooc4dev.org/blueeconomy1). The Once Ocean Hub and its knowledge products and experts have supported the development of the original four-part series and the Hub features strongly in the last three courses, but this latest offering of Course 1 was updated to include some of the more recent knowledge products produced by the Hub (Week 3: Blue Economy Knowledge Support, Activity 3.1, more information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7uhifsbh002h36sik33249vpg9). These illustrate underrepresented components (e.g. culture and community) of the blue economy in an innovative way that the students can relate to, helping them thing critically about the blue economy. The Hub has been inspirational for many young students that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles. It provides a space that captures key concerns and priorities for young academics (concerned with their future) and diverse learners and practitioners in a tangible way. 311 students (146 female; 165 male) from across the globe complete the course successfully with many more engaging with the material in an informal way. More information about course participants is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/btco7dkufke3vmfpfknolr2dmi. "The Blue Economy Knowledge Support" session includes the following Hub's knowledge products including: • One Ocean Hub: The Ocean and Climate Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqWCd9UR2Y) • The Blue Blanket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk) • Deep Connections | The Importance of Culturally Significant Areas in South Africa's marine space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) • Defenders of the Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY) |
| Impact | This partnership has led to the development of 17 modules as part of the series of MOOCs on the Blue Economy. Benefitting from the interdisciplinary global network of the One Ocean Hub, these MOOCs take an interdisciplinary holistic view of the Blue Economy, across key sectors for blue economy development: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology, and they also build in crosscutting issues linked to sustainability, governance, finance, culture and gender. This is an introductory course for persons from various backgrounds, both technical and non-technical. The One Ocean Hub' modules for the MOOC series include: 1. The Blue Economy and the Law of the Sea by Associate Professor Daniela Diz (Heriot-Watt University, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmgfBWEiLDg 2. Natural Capital and the Blue Economy by Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature=youtu.be 3. Integrated Ocean Management by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKm03jOf7Is 4. Integrated Ocean Management: South African Case Study by Dr Bernadette Snow (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=fx0c4nxSgl0&feature=youtu.be 5. Applying a systems analysis approach to support Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa by Dr Estee Vermeulen (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZv-eGaZLM 6. Knowledge Co-Production by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfErzDwW6ms 7. Human Rights and the Blue Economy by Professor Elisa Morgera ( University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv4xHRoRJI0 8. Gender, Culture and the Blue Economy by Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbfBHU8QObY 9. Division of Labour Case Study by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GYQ10m-CKo 10. Sustainable Fisheries by Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAa9IlCCxLo 11. Deep Seabed Mining Part 1 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y 12. Deep Seabed Mining Part 2 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg 13. Offshore Renewable Energy by Professor Martin Attrill ( University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng 14. Marine Biotechnology by Professor Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI 15. Case Study: Marine Biotechnology by Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI 16. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 1 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjMLX8E7h_s 17. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 2 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEt_LQEtXrM A blogpost summarising researchers' reflection on the MOOC series can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Disciplines Involved: Law Anthropology Art Marine Science Sociology Development Studies |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building blue capacity across the globe |
| Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub project partner, the University of Seychelles, is leading the development and facilitation of four massive open online courses (MOOC) on the blue economy. The courses are being offered by Blue Economy Research Institute - University of Seychelles in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning. MOOCs have been developed by the University of Seychelles working with researchers from across the Hub network in conceptualizing parts of the course, developing and delivering modules. The University of Seychelles and the Commonwealth of Learning developed the overall concept and content outline and Hub researchers provided technical content collation and delivery. In total 15 Hub researchers contributed to develop a four-part Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) series on the Blue Economy, attracting around ~1500 participants (~46% women), from various continents and island nations. the online format was designed to enable inclusivity, operating across time zones and caring commitments. The series was run from Jun 2020 to April 2021, reaching over ~1500 participants in over ~70 countries globally. On average ~98% of post-course survey respondents indicated they would recommend the MOOC to colleagues. Courses have drawn on expertise from across all Hub regions and disciplines: Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. (Teaching Assistant for the MOOC). OOH Knowledge Exchange Fellow Prof Kerry Howell, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Co-Director Dr Kirsty McQuaid, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Post Doctoral Researcher Prof Martin Attril, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher Prof Mathew Upton, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher. Dr Dylan McGarry, Rhodes University, South Africa. Environmental Learning Research Centre. OOH Co-Director Dr Alex Winkler, Rhodes University, South Africa. Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science. OOH Researcher Prof Pierre-Jean Bordahandy, the University of South Pacific. OOH Researcher Prof Rose Boswell, Nelson Mandela University, Research Chair in Ocean Cultures and Heritage. OOH Researcher Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, OOH Deputy Director Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University. Department of Development Studies. OOH PhD Student Dr Daniela Diz, Heriot Watt University, School of Energy and Geoscience. OOH Researcher Prof Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde. OOH Director and PI Mrs Kelly Hoareau, Blue Economy Research Institute, Seychelles (former Director). OOH Researcher. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. The following organisations are Hub's partners since the proposal stage: - Research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of South Pacific, Fiji and the University of Seychelles, Seychelles - Research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK and the University of Strathclyde, UK. The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought new partnership between the Hub with the Commonwealth of Learning, UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Commonwealth of Learning empowers people through learning that leads to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental conservation. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1987 to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL's greatest impact is in supporting efforts to provide Commonwealth citizens greater access to quality education and training through open, distance and technology-enabled learning, thereby allowing them to benefit from improved livelihoods, greater gender equity and overall economic, social and cultural development leading to sustainable development. The COL hosts a MOOC platform that provides a good learning experience at low bandwidth and offline where necessary. The COL partnered with University of Seychelles on the development of a MOOC series composed of four parts: • MOOC1: The Blue Economy: Sustainability, innovation and our ocean (Jun 2020) • MOOC2: The Blue Economy: Creating an Enabling Environment (Aug 2020) • MOOC3: The Blue Economy: Blue Resources (Jan 2021) • MOOC4: The Blue Economy: Blue Space (March 2021) This MOOCs introduced key blue economy sectors that can be developed, for example, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology. The course also explores some of the key considerations that influence the sustainability of individual sectors and blue economy strategies as a whole, such as gender equality and human rights. The course is hosted on the COL MOOCs for Development Website, and facilitated via the Commonwealth of Learning. Relevant links: https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy1 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy2 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy4 The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought societal impact. "The Blue Economy: Sustainability Innovation and Our Ocean" MOOC was updated and held for a second time starting on 29 October 2023 for five weeks in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute. This course was an introductory course exploring the foundational components of the blue economy. The course forms one of four courses that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute are hoping to update and offer (https://www.mooc4dev.org/blueeconomy1). The Once Ocean Hub and its knowledge products and experts have supported the development of the original four-part series and the Hub features strongly in the last three courses, but this latest offering of Course 1 was updated to include some of the more recent knowledge products produced by the Hub (Week 3: Blue Economy Knowledge Support, Activity 3.1, more information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7uhifsbh002h36sik33249vpg9). These illustrate underrepresented components (e.g. culture and community) of the blue economy in an innovative way that the students can relate to, helping them thing critically about the blue economy. The Hub has been inspirational for many young students that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles. It provides a space that captures key concerns and priorities for young academics (concerned with their future) and diverse learners and practitioners in a tangible way. 311 students (146 female; 165 male) from across the globe complete the course successfully with many more engaging with the material in an informal way. More information about course participants is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/btco7dkufke3vmfpfknolr2dmi. "The Blue Economy Knowledge Support" session includes the following Hub's knowledge products including: • One Ocean Hub: The Ocean and Climate Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqWCd9UR2Y) • The Blue Blanket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk) • Deep Connections | The Importance of Culturally Significant Areas in South Africa's marine space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) • Defenders of the Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY) |
| Impact | This partnership has led to the development of 17 modules as part of the series of MOOCs on the Blue Economy. Benefitting from the interdisciplinary global network of the One Ocean Hub, these MOOCs take an interdisciplinary holistic view of the Blue Economy, across key sectors for blue economy development: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology, and they also build in crosscutting issues linked to sustainability, governance, finance, culture and gender. This is an introductory course for persons from various backgrounds, both technical and non-technical. The One Ocean Hub' modules for the MOOC series include: 1. The Blue Economy and the Law of the Sea by Associate Professor Daniela Diz (Heriot-Watt University, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmgfBWEiLDg 2. Natural Capital and the Blue Economy by Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature=youtu.be 3. Integrated Ocean Management by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKm03jOf7Is 4. Integrated Ocean Management: South African Case Study by Dr Bernadette Snow (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=fx0c4nxSgl0&feature=youtu.be 5. Applying a systems analysis approach to support Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa by Dr Estee Vermeulen (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZv-eGaZLM 6. Knowledge Co-Production by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfErzDwW6ms 7. Human Rights and the Blue Economy by Professor Elisa Morgera ( University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv4xHRoRJI0 8. Gender, Culture and the Blue Economy by Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbfBHU8QObY 9. Division of Labour Case Study by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GYQ10m-CKo 10. Sustainable Fisheries by Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAa9IlCCxLo 11. Deep Seabed Mining Part 1 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y 12. Deep Seabed Mining Part 2 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg 13. Offshore Renewable Energy by Professor Martin Attrill ( University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng 14. Marine Biotechnology by Professor Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI 15. Case Study: Marine Biotechnology by Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI 16. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 1 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjMLX8E7h_s 17. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 2 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEt_LQEtXrM A blogpost summarising researchers' reflection on the MOOC series can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Disciplines Involved: Law Anthropology Art Marine Science Sociology Development Studies |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building blue capacity across the globe |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub project partner, the University of Seychelles, is leading the development and facilitation of four massive open online courses (MOOC) on the blue economy. The courses are being offered by Blue Economy Research Institute - University of Seychelles in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning. MOOCs have been developed by the University of Seychelles working with researchers from across the Hub network in conceptualizing parts of the course, developing and delivering modules. The University of Seychelles and the Commonwealth of Learning developed the overall concept and content outline and Hub researchers provided technical content collation and delivery. In total 15 Hub researchers contributed to develop a four-part Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) series on the Blue Economy, attracting around ~1500 participants (~46% women), from various continents and island nations. the online format was designed to enable inclusivity, operating across time zones and caring commitments. The series was run from Jun 2020 to April 2021, reaching over ~1500 participants in over ~70 countries globally. On average ~98% of post-course survey respondents indicated they would recommend the MOOC to colleagues. Courses have drawn on expertise from across all Hub regions and disciplines: Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. (Teaching Assistant for the MOOC). OOH Knowledge Exchange Fellow Prof Kerry Howell, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Co-Director Dr Kirsty McQuaid, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Post Doctoral Researcher Prof Martin Attril, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher Prof Mathew Upton, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher. Dr Dylan McGarry, Rhodes University, South Africa. Environmental Learning Research Centre. OOH Co-Director Dr Alex Winkler, Rhodes University, South Africa. Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science. OOH Researcher Prof Pierre-Jean Bordahandy, the University of South Pacific. OOH Researcher Prof Rose Boswell, Nelson Mandela University, Research Chair in Ocean Cultures and Heritage. OOH Researcher Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, OOH Deputy Director Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University. Department of Development Studies. OOH PhD Student Dr Daniela Diz, Heriot Watt University, School of Energy and Geoscience. OOH Researcher Prof Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde. OOH Director and PI Mrs Kelly Hoareau, Blue Economy Research Institute, Seychelles (former Director). OOH Researcher. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. The following organisations are Hub's partners since the proposal stage: - Research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of South Pacific, Fiji and the University of Seychelles, Seychelles - Research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK and the University of Strathclyde, UK. The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought new partnership between the Hub with the Commonwealth of Learning, UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Commonwealth of Learning empowers people through learning that leads to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental conservation. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1987 to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL's greatest impact is in supporting efforts to provide Commonwealth citizens greater access to quality education and training through open, distance and technology-enabled learning, thereby allowing them to benefit from improved livelihoods, greater gender equity and overall economic, social and cultural development leading to sustainable development. The COL hosts a MOOC platform that provides a good learning experience at low bandwidth and offline where necessary. The COL partnered with University of Seychelles on the development of a MOOC series composed of four parts: • MOOC1: The Blue Economy: Sustainability, innovation and our ocean (Jun 2020) • MOOC2: The Blue Economy: Creating an Enabling Environment (Aug 2020) • MOOC3: The Blue Economy: Blue Resources (Jan 2021) • MOOC4: The Blue Economy: Blue Space (March 2021) This MOOCs introduced key blue economy sectors that can be developed, for example, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology. The course also explores some of the key considerations that influence the sustainability of individual sectors and blue economy strategies as a whole, such as gender equality and human rights. The course is hosted on the COL MOOCs for Development Website, and facilitated via the Commonwealth of Learning. Relevant links: https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy1 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy2 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy4 The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought societal impact. "The Blue Economy: Sustainability Innovation and Our Ocean" MOOC was updated and held for a second time starting on 29 October 2023 for five weeks in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute. This course was an introductory course exploring the foundational components of the blue economy. The course forms one of four courses that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute are hoping to update and offer (https://www.mooc4dev.org/blueeconomy1). The Once Ocean Hub and its knowledge products and experts have supported the development of the original four-part series and the Hub features strongly in the last three courses, but this latest offering of Course 1 was updated to include some of the more recent knowledge products produced by the Hub (Week 3: Blue Economy Knowledge Support, Activity 3.1, more information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7uhifsbh002h36sik33249vpg9). These illustrate underrepresented components (e.g. culture and community) of the blue economy in an innovative way that the students can relate to, helping them thing critically about the blue economy. The Hub has been inspirational for many young students that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles. It provides a space that captures key concerns and priorities for young academics (concerned with their future) and diverse learners and practitioners in a tangible way. 311 students (146 female; 165 male) from across the globe complete the course successfully with many more engaging with the material in an informal way. More information about course participants is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/btco7dkufke3vmfpfknolr2dmi. "The Blue Economy Knowledge Support" session includes the following Hub's knowledge products including: • One Ocean Hub: The Ocean and Climate Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqWCd9UR2Y) • The Blue Blanket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk) • Deep Connections | The Importance of Culturally Significant Areas in South Africa's marine space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) • Defenders of the Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY) |
| Impact | This partnership has led to the development of 17 modules as part of the series of MOOCs on the Blue Economy. Benefitting from the interdisciplinary global network of the One Ocean Hub, these MOOCs take an interdisciplinary holistic view of the Blue Economy, across key sectors for blue economy development: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology, and they also build in crosscutting issues linked to sustainability, governance, finance, culture and gender. This is an introductory course for persons from various backgrounds, both technical and non-technical. The One Ocean Hub' modules for the MOOC series include: 1. The Blue Economy and the Law of the Sea by Associate Professor Daniela Diz (Heriot-Watt University, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmgfBWEiLDg 2. Natural Capital and the Blue Economy by Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature=youtu.be 3. Integrated Ocean Management by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKm03jOf7Is 4. Integrated Ocean Management: South African Case Study by Dr Bernadette Snow (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=fx0c4nxSgl0&feature=youtu.be 5. Applying a systems analysis approach to support Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa by Dr Estee Vermeulen (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZv-eGaZLM 6. Knowledge Co-Production by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfErzDwW6ms 7. Human Rights and the Blue Economy by Professor Elisa Morgera ( University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv4xHRoRJI0 8. Gender, Culture and the Blue Economy by Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbfBHU8QObY 9. Division of Labour Case Study by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GYQ10m-CKo 10. Sustainable Fisheries by Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAa9IlCCxLo 11. Deep Seabed Mining Part 1 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y 12. Deep Seabed Mining Part 2 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg 13. Offshore Renewable Energy by Professor Martin Attrill ( University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng 14. Marine Biotechnology by Professor Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI 15. Case Study: Marine Biotechnology by Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI 16. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 1 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjMLX8E7h_s 17. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 2 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEt_LQEtXrM A blogpost summarising researchers' reflection on the MOOC series can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Disciplines Involved: Law Anthropology Art Marine Science Sociology Development Studies |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building blue capacity across the globe |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub project partner, the University of Seychelles, is leading the development and facilitation of four massive open online courses (MOOC) on the blue economy. The courses are being offered by Blue Economy Research Institute - University of Seychelles in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning. MOOCs have been developed by the University of Seychelles working with researchers from across the Hub network in conceptualizing parts of the course, developing and delivering modules. The University of Seychelles and the Commonwealth of Learning developed the overall concept and content outline and Hub researchers provided technical content collation and delivery. In total 15 Hub researchers contributed to develop a four-part Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) series on the Blue Economy, attracting around ~1500 participants (~46% women), from various continents and island nations. the online format was designed to enable inclusivity, operating across time zones and caring commitments. The series was run from Jun 2020 to April 2021, reaching over ~1500 participants in over ~70 countries globally. On average ~98% of post-course survey respondents indicated they would recommend the MOOC to colleagues. Courses have drawn on expertise from across all Hub regions and disciplines: Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. (Teaching Assistant for the MOOC). OOH Knowledge Exchange Fellow Prof Kerry Howell, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Co-Director Dr Kirsty McQuaid, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Post Doctoral Researcher Prof Martin Attril, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher Prof Mathew Upton, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher. Dr Dylan McGarry, Rhodes University, South Africa. Environmental Learning Research Centre. OOH Co-Director Dr Alex Winkler, Rhodes University, South Africa. Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science. OOH Researcher Prof Pierre-Jean Bordahandy, the University of South Pacific. OOH Researcher Prof Rose Boswell, Nelson Mandela University, Research Chair in Ocean Cultures and Heritage. OOH Researcher Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, OOH Deputy Director Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University. Department of Development Studies. OOH PhD Student Dr Daniela Diz, Heriot Watt University, School of Energy and Geoscience. OOH Researcher Prof Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde. OOH Director and PI Mrs Kelly Hoareau, Blue Economy Research Institute, Seychelles (former Director). OOH Researcher. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. The following organisations are Hub's partners since the proposal stage: - Research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of South Pacific, Fiji and the University of Seychelles, Seychelles - Research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK and the University of Strathclyde, UK. The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought new partnership between the Hub with the Commonwealth of Learning, UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Commonwealth of Learning empowers people through learning that leads to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental conservation. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1987 to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL's greatest impact is in supporting efforts to provide Commonwealth citizens greater access to quality education and training through open, distance and technology-enabled learning, thereby allowing them to benefit from improved livelihoods, greater gender equity and overall economic, social and cultural development leading to sustainable development. The COL hosts a MOOC platform that provides a good learning experience at low bandwidth and offline where necessary. The COL partnered with University of Seychelles on the development of a MOOC series composed of four parts: • MOOC1: The Blue Economy: Sustainability, innovation and our ocean (Jun 2020) • MOOC2: The Blue Economy: Creating an Enabling Environment (Aug 2020) • MOOC3: The Blue Economy: Blue Resources (Jan 2021) • MOOC4: The Blue Economy: Blue Space (March 2021) This MOOCs introduced key blue economy sectors that can be developed, for example, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology. The course also explores some of the key considerations that influence the sustainability of individual sectors and blue economy strategies as a whole, such as gender equality and human rights. The course is hosted on the COL MOOCs for Development Website, and facilitated via the Commonwealth of Learning. Relevant links: https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy1 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy2 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy4 The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought societal impact. "The Blue Economy: Sustainability Innovation and Our Ocean" MOOC was updated and held for a second time starting on 29 October 2023 for five weeks in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute. This course was an introductory course exploring the foundational components of the blue economy. The course forms one of four courses that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute are hoping to update and offer (https://www.mooc4dev.org/blueeconomy1). The Once Ocean Hub and its knowledge products and experts have supported the development of the original four-part series and the Hub features strongly in the last three courses, but this latest offering of Course 1 was updated to include some of the more recent knowledge products produced by the Hub (Week 3: Blue Economy Knowledge Support, Activity 3.1, more information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7uhifsbh002h36sik33249vpg9). These illustrate underrepresented components (e.g. culture and community) of the blue economy in an innovative way that the students can relate to, helping them thing critically about the blue economy. The Hub has been inspirational for many young students that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles. It provides a space that captures key concerns and priorities for young academics (concerned with their future) and diverse learners and practitioners in a tangible way. 311 students (146 female; 165 male) from across the globe complete the course successfully with many more engaging with the material in an informal way. More information about course participants is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/btco7dkufke3vmfpfknolr2dmi. "The Blue Economy Knowledge Support" session includes the following Hub's knowledge products including: • One Ocean Hub: The Ocean and Climate Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqWCd9UR2Y) • The Blue Blanket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk) • Deep Connections | The Importance of Culturally Significant Areas in South Africa's marine space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) • Defenders of the Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY) |
| Impact | This partnership has led to the development of 17 modules as part of the series of MOOCs on the Blue Economy. Benefitting from the interdisciplinary global network of the One Ocean Hub, these MOOCs take an interdisciplinary holistic view of the Blue Economy, across key sectors for blue economy development: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology, and they also build in crosscutting issues linked to sustainability, governance, finance, culture and gender. This is an introductory course for persons from various backgrounds, both technical and non-technical. The One Ocean Hub' modules for the MOOC series include: 1. The Blue Economy and the Law of the Sea by Associate Professor Daniela Diz (Heriot-Watt University, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmgfBWEiLDg 2. Natural Capital and the Blue Economy by Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature=youtu.be 3. Integrated Ocean Management by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKm03jOf7Is 4. Integrated Ocean Management: South African Case Study by Dr Bernadette Snow (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=fx0c4nxSgl0&feature=youtu.be 5. Applying a systems analysis approach to support Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa by Dr Estee Vermeulen (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZv-eGaZLM 6. Knowledge Co-Production by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfErzDwW6ms 7. Human Rights and the Blue Economy by Professor Elisa Morgera ( University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv4xHRoRJI0 8. Gender, Culture and the Blue Economy by Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbfBHU8QObY 9. Division of Labour Case Study by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GYQ10m-CKo 10. Sustainable Fisheries by Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAa9IlCCxLo 11. Deep Seabed Mining Part 1 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y 12. Deep Seabed Mining Part 2 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg 13. Offshore Renewable Energy by Professor Martin Attrill ( University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng 14. Marine Biotechnology by Professor Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI 15. Case Study: Marine Biotechnology by Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI 16. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 1 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjMLX8E7h_s 17. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 2 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEt_LQEtXrM A blogpost summarising researchers' reflection on the MOOC series can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Disciplines Involved: Law Anthropology Art Marine Science Sociology Development Studies |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building blue capacity across the globe |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub project partner, the University of Seychelles, is leading the development and facilitation of four massive open online courses (MOOC) on the blue economy. The courses are being offered by Blue Economy Research Institute - University of Seychelles in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning. MOOCs have been developed by the University of Seychelles working with researchers from across the Hub network in conceptualizing parts of the course, developing and delivering modules. The University of Seychelles and the Commonwealth of Learning developed the overall concept and content outline and Hub researchers provided technical content collation and delivery. In total 15 Hub researchers contributed to develop a four-part Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) series on the Blue Economy, attracting around ~1500 participants (~46% women), from various continents and island nations. the online format was designed to enable inclusivity, operating across time zones and caring commitments. The series was run from Jun 2020 to April 2021, reaching over ~1500 participants in over ~70 countries globally. On average ~98% of post-course survey respondents indicated they would recommend the MOOC to colleagues. Courses have drawn on expertise from across all Hub regions and disciplines: Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. (Teaching Assistant for the MOOC). OOH Knowledge Exchange Fellow Prof Kerry Howell, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Co-Director Dr Kirsty McQuaid, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Post Doctoral Researcher Prof Martin Attril, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher Prof Mathew Upton, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher. Dr Dylan McGarry, Rhodes University, South Africa. Environmental Learning Research Centre. OOH Co-Director Dr Alex Winkler, Rhodes University, South Africa. Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science. OOH Researcher Prof Pierre-Jean Bordahandy, the University of South Pacific. OOH Researcher Prof Rose Boswell, Nelson Mandela University, Research Chair in Ocean Cultures and Heritage. OOH Researcher Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, OOH Deputy Director Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University. Department of Development Studies. OOH PhD Student Dr Daniela Diz, Heriot Watt University, School of Energy and Geoscience. OOH Researcher Prof Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde. OOH Director and PI Mrs Kelly Hoareau, Blue Economy Research Institute, Seychelles (former Director). OOH Researcher. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. The following organisations are Hub's partners since the proposal stage: - Research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of South Pacific, Fiji and the University of Seychelles, Seychelles - Research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK and the University of Strathclyde, UK. The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought new partnership between the Hub with the Commonwealth of Learning, UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Commonwealth of Learning empowers people through learning that leads to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental conservation. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1987 to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL's greatest impact is in supporting efforts to provide Commonwealth citizens greater access to quality education and training through open, distance and technology-enabled learning, thereby allowing them to benefit from improved livelihoods, greater gender equity and overall economic, social and cultural development leading to sustainable development. The COL hosts a MOOC platform that provides a good learning experience at low bandwidth and offline where necessary. The COL partnered with University of Seychelles on the development of a MOOC series composed of four parts: • MOOC1: The Blue Economy: Sustainability, innovation and our ocean (Jun 2020) • MOOC2: The Blue Economy: Creating an Enabling Environment (Aug 2020) • MOOC3: The Blue Economy: Blue Resources (Jan 2021) • MOOC4: The Blue Economy: Blue Space (March 2021) This MOOCs introduced key blue economy sectors that can be developed, for example, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology. The course also explores some of the key considerations that influence the sustainability of individual sectors and blue economy strategies as a whole, such as gender equality and human rights. The course is hosted on the COL MOOCs for Development Website, and facilitated via the Commonwealth of Learning. Relevant links: https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy1 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy2 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy4 The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought societal impact. "The Blue Economy: Sustainability Innovation and Our Ocean" MOOC was updated and held for a second time starting on 29 October 2023 for five weeks in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute. This course was an introductory course exploring the foundational components of the blue economy. The course forms one of four courses that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute are hoping to update and offer (https://www.mooc4dev.org/blueeconomy1). The Once Ocean Hub and its knowledge products and experts have supported the development of the original four-part series and the Hub features strongly in the last three courses, but this latest offering of Course 1 was updated to include some of the more recent knowledge products produced by the Hub (Week 3: Blue Economy Knowledge Support, Activity 3.1, more information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7uhifsbh002h36sik33249vpg9). These illustrate underrepresented components (e.g. culture and community) of the blue economy in an innovative way that the students can relate to, helping them thing critically about the blue economy. The Hub has been inspirational for many young students that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles. It provides a space that captures key concerns and priorities for young academics (concerned with their future) and diverse learners and practitioners in a tangible way. 311 students (146 female; 165 male) from across the globe complete the course successfully with many more engaging with the material in an informal way. More information about course participants is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/btco7dkufke3vmfpfknolr2dmi. "The Blue Economy Knowledge Support" session includes the following Hub's knowledge products including: • One Ocean Hub: The Ocean and Climate Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqWCd9UR2Y) • The Blue Blanket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk) • Deep Connections | The Importance of Culturally Significant Areas in South Africa's marine space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) • Defenders of the Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY) |
| Impact | This partnership has led to the development of 17 modules as part of the series of MOOCs on the Blue Economy. Benefitting from the interdisciplinary global network of the One Ocean Hub, these MOOCs take an interdisciplinary holistic view of the Blue Economy, across key sectors for blue economy development: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology, and they also build in crosscutting issues linked to sustainability, governance, finance, culture and gender. This is an introductory course for persons from various backgrounds, both technical and non-technical. The One Ocean Hub' modules for the MOOC series include: 1. The Blue Economy and the Law of the Sea by Associate Professor Daniela Diz (Heriot-Watt University, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmgfBWEiLDg 2. Natural Capital and the Blue Economy by Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature=youtu.be 3. Integrated Ocean Management by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKm03jOf7Is 4. Integrated Ocean Management: South African Case Study by Dr Bernadette Snow (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=fx0c4nxSgl0&feature=youtu.be 5. Applying a systems analysis approach to support Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa by Dr Estee Vermeulen (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZv-eGaZLM 6. Knowledge Co-Production by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfErzDwW6ms 7. Human Rights and the Blue Economy by Professor Elisa Morgera ( University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv4xHRoRJI0 8. Gender, Culture and the Blue Economy by Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbfBHU8QObY 9. Division of Labour Case Study by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GYQ10m-CKo 10. Sustainable Fisheries by Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAa9IlCCxLo 11. Deep Seabed Mining Part 1 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y 12. Deep Seabed Mining Part 2 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg 13. Offshore Renewable Energy by Professor Martin Attrill ( University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng 14. Marine Biotechnology by Professor Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI 15. Case Study: Marine Biotechnology by Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI 16. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 1 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjMLX8E7h_s 17. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 2 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEt_LQEtXrM A blogpost summarising researchers' reflection on the MOOC series can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Disciplines Involved: Law Anthropology Art Marine Science Sociology Development Studies |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building blue capacity across the globe |
| Organisation | University of Seychelles |
| Country | Seychelles |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub project partner, the University of Seychelles, is leading the development and facilitation of four massive open online courses (MOOC) on the blue economy. The courses are being offered by Blue Economy Research Institute - University of Seychelles in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning. MOOCs have been developed by the University of Seychelles working with researchers from across the Hub network in conceptualizing parts of the course, developing and delivering modules. The University of Seychelles and the Commonwealth of Learning developed the overall concept and content outline and Hub researchers provided technical content collation and delivery. In total 15 Hub researchers contributed to develop a four-part Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) series on the Blue Economy, attracting around ~1500 participants (~46% women), from various continents and island nations. the online format was designed to enable inclusivity, operating across time zones and caring commitments. The series was run from Jun 2020 to April 2021, reaching over ~1500 participants in over ~70 countries globally. On average ~98% of post-course survey respondents indicated they would recommend the MOOC to colleagues. Courses have drawn on expertise from across all Hub regions and disciplines: Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. (Teaching Assistant for the MOOC). OOH Knowledge Exchange Fellow Prof Kerry Howell, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Co-Director Dr Kirsty McQuaid, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Post Doctoral Researcher Prof Martin Attril, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher Prof Mathew Upton, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher. Dr Dylan McGarry, Rhodes University, South Africa. Environmental Learning Research Centre. OOH Co-Director Dr Alex Winkler, Rhodes University, South Africa. Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science. OOH Researcher Prof Pierre-Jean Bordahandy, the University of South Pacific. OOH Researcher Prof Rose Boswell, Nelson Mandela University, Research Chair in Ocean Cultures and Heritage. OOH Researcher Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, OOH Deputy Director Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University. Department of Development Studies. OOH PhD Student Dr Daniela Diz, Heriot Watt University, School of Energy and Geoscience. OOH Researcher Prof Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde. OOH Director and PI Mrs Kelly Hoareau, Blue Economy Research Institute, Seychelles (former Director). OOH Researcher. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. The following organisations are Hub's partners since the proposal stage: - Research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of South Pacific, Fiji and the University of Seychelles, Seychelles - Research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK and the University of Strathclyde, UK. The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought new partnership between the Hub with the Commonwealth of Learning, UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Commonwealth of Learning empowers people through learning that leads to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental conservation. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1987 to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL's greatest impact is in supporting efforts to provide Commonwealth citizens greater access to quality education and training through open, distance and technology-enabled learning, thereby allowing them to benefit from improved livelihoods, greater gender equity and overall economic, social and cultural development leading to sustainable development. The COL hosts a MOOC platform that provides a good learning experience at low bandwidth and offline where necessary. The COL partnered with University of Seychelles on the development of a MOOC series composed of four parts: • MOOC1: The Blue Economy: Sustainability, innovation and our ocean (Jun 2020) • MOOC2: The Blue Economy: Creating an Enabling Environment (Aug 2020) • MOOC3: The Blue Economy: Blue Resources (Jan 2021) • MOOC4: The Blue Economy: Blue Space (March 2021) This MOOCs introduced key blue economy sectors that can be developed, for example, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology. The course also explores some of the key considerations that influence the sustainability of individual sectors and blue economy strategies as a whole, such as gender equality and human rights. The course is hosted on the COL MOOCs for Development Website, and facilitated via the Commonwealth of Learning. Relevant links: https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy1 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy2 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy4 The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought societal impact. "The Blue Economy: Sustainability Innovation and Our Ocean" MOOC was updated and held for a second time starting on 29 October 2023 for five weeks in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute. This course was an introductory course exploring the foundational components of the blue economy. The course forms one of four courses that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute are hoping to update and offer (https://www.mooc4dev.org/blueeconomy1). The Once Ocean Hub and its knowledge products and experts have supported the development of the original four-part series and the Hub features strongly in the last three courses, but this latest offering of Course 1 was updated to include some of the more recent knowledge products produced by the Hub (Week 3: Blue Economy Knowledge Support, Activity 3.1, more information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7uhifsbh002h36sik33249vpg9). These illustrate underrepresented components (e.g. culture and community) of the blue economy in an innovative way that the students can relate to, helping them thing critically about the blue economy. The Hub has been inspirational for many young students that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles. It provides a space that captures key concerns and priorities for young academics (concerned with their future) and diverse learners and practitioners in a tangible way. 311 students (146 female; 165 male) from across the globe complete the course successfully with many more engaging with the material in an informal way. More information about course participants is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/btco7dkufke3vmfpfknolr2dmi. "The Blue Economy Knowledge Support" session includes the following Hub's knowledge products including: • One Ocean Hub: The Ocean and Climate Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqWCd9UR2Y) • The Blue Blanket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk) • Deep Connections | The Importance of Culturally Significant Areas in South Africa's marine space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) • Defenders of the Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY) |
| Impact | This partnership has led to the development of 17 modules as part of the series of MOOCs on the Blue Economy. Benefitting from the interdisciplinary global network of the One Ocean Hub, these MOOCs take an interdisciplinary holistic view of the Blue Economy, across key sectors for blue economy development: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology, and they also build in crosscutting issues linked to sustainability, governance, finance, culture and gender. This is an introductory course for persons from various backgrounds, both technical and non-technical. The One Ocean Hub' modules for the MOOC series include: 1. The Blue Economy and the Law of the Sea by Associate Professor Daniela Diz (Heriot-Watt University, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmgfBWEiLDg 2. Natural Capital and the Blue Economy by Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature=youtu.be 3. Integrated Ocean Management by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKm03jOf7Is 4. Integrated Ocean Management: South African Case Study by Dr Bernadette Snow (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=fx0c4nxSgl0&feature=youtu.be 5. Applying a systems analysis approach to support Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa by Dr Estee Vermeulen (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZv-eGaZLM 6. Knowledge Co-Production by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfErzDwW6ms 7. Human Rights and the Blue Economy by Professor Elisa Morgera ( University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv4xHRoRJI0 8. Gender, Culture and the Blue Economy by Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbfBHU8QObY 9. Division of Labour Case Study by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GYQ10m-CKo 10. Sustainable Fisheries by Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAa9IlCCxLo 11. Deep Seabed Mining Part 1 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y 12. Deep Seabed Mining Part 2 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg 13. Offshore Renewable Energy by Professor Martin Attrill ( University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng 14. Marine Biotechnology by Professor Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI 15. Case Study: Marine Biotechnology by Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI 16. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 1 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjMLX8E7h_s 17. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 2 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEt_LQEtXrM A blogpost summarising researchers' reflection on the MOOC series can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Disciplines Involved: Law Anthropology Art Marine Science Sociology Development Studies |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building blue capacity across the globe |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub project partner, the University of Seychelles, is leading the development and facilitation of four massive open online courses (MOOC) on the blue economy. The courses are being offered by Blue Economy Research Institute - University of Seychelles in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning. MOOCs have been developed by the University of Seychelles working with researchers from across the Hub network in conceptualizing parts of the course, developing and delivering modules. The University of Seychelles and the Commonwealth of Learning developed the overall concept and content outline and Hub researchers provided technical content collation and delivery. In total 15 Hub researchers contributed to develop a four-part Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) series on the Blue Economy, attracting around ~1500 participants (~46% women), from various continents and island nations. the online format was designed to enable inclusivity, operating across time zones and caring commitments. The series was run from Jun 2020 to April 2021, reaching over ~1500 participants in over ~70 countries globally. On average ~98% of post-course survey respondents indicated they would recommend the MOOC to colleagues. Courses have drawn on expertise from across all Hub regions and disciplines: Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. (Teaching Assistant for the MOOC). OOH Knowledge Exchange Fellow Prof Kerry Howell, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Co-Director Dr Kirsty McQuaid, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Post Doctoral Researcher Prof Martin Attril, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher Prof Mathew Upton, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher. Dr Dylan McGarry, Rhodes University, South Africa. Environmental Learning Research Centre. OOH Co-Director Dr Alex Winkler, Rhodes University, South Africa. Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science. OOH Researcher Prof Pierre-Jean Bordahandy, the University of South Pacific. OOH Researcher Prof Rose Boswell, Nelson Mandela University, Research Chair in Ocean Cultures and Heritage. OOH Researcher Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, OOH Deputy Director Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University. Department of Development Studies. OOH PhD Student Dr Daniela Diz, Heriot Watt University, School of Energy and Geoscience. OOH Researcher Prof Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde. OOH Director and PI Mrs Kelly Hoareau, Blue Economy Research Institute, Seychelles (former Director). OOH Researcher. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. The following organisations are Hub's partners since the proposal stage: - Research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of South Pacific, Fiji and the University of Seychelles, Seychelles - Research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK and the University of Strathclyde, UK. The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought new partnership between the Hub with the Commonwealth of Learning, UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Commonwealth of Learning empowers people through learning that leads to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental conservation. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1987 to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL's greatest impact is in supporting efforts to provide Commonwealth citizens greater access to quality education and training through open, distance and technology-enabled learning, thereby allowing them to benefit from improved livelihoods, greater gender equity and overall economic, social and cultural development leading to sustainable development. The COL hosts a MOOC platform that provides a good learning experience at low bandwidth and offline where necessary. The COL partnered with University of Seychelles on the development of a MOOC series composed of four parts: • MOOC1: The Blue Economy: Sustainability, innovation and our ocean (Jun 2020) • MOOC2: The Blue Economy: Creating an Enabling Environment (Aug 2020) • MOOC3: The Blue Economy: Blue Resources (Jan 2021) • MOOC4: The Blue Economy: Blue Space (March 2021) This MOOCs introduced key blue economy sectors that can be developed, for example, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology. The course also explores some of the key considerations that influence the sustainability of individual sectors and blue economy strategies as a whole, such as gender equality and human rights. The course is hosted on the COL MOOCs for Development Website, and facilitated via the Commonwealth of Learning. Relevant links: https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy1 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy2 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy4 The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought societal impact. "The Blue Economy: Sustainability Innovation and Our Ocean" MOOC was updated and held for a second time starting on 29 October 2023 for five weeks in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute. This course was an introductory course exploring the foundational components of the blue economy. The course forms one of four courses that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute are hoping to update and offer (https://www.mooc4dev.org/blueeconomy1). The Once Ocean Hub and its knowledge products and experts have supported the development of the original four-part series and the Hub features strongly in the last three courses, but this latest offering of Course 1 was updated to include some of the more recent knowledge products produced by the Hub (Week 3: Blue Economy Knowledge Support, Activity 3.1, more information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7uhifsbh002h36sik33249vpg9). These illustrate underrepresented components (e.g. culture and community) of the blue economy in an innovative way that the students can relate to, helping them thing critically about the blue economy. The Hub has been inspirational for many young students that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles. It provides a space that captures key concerns and priorities for young academics (concerned with their future) and diverse learners and practitioners in a tangible way. 311 students (146 female; 165 male) from across the globe complete the course successfully with many more engaging with the material in an informal way. More information about course participants is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/btco7dkufke3vmfpfknolr2dmi. "The Blue Economy Knowledge Support" session includes the following Hub's knowledge products including: • One Ocean Hub: The Ocean and Climate Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqWCd9UR2Y) • The Blue Blanket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk) • Deep Connections | The Importance of Culturally Significant Areas in South Africa's marine space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) • Defenders of the Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY) |
| Impact | This partnership has led to the development of 17 modules as part of the series of MOOCs on the Blue Economy. Benefitting from the interdisciplinary global network of the One Ocean Hub, these MOOCs take an interdisciplinary holistic view of the Blue Economy, across key sectors for blue economy development: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology, and they also build in crosscutting issues linked to sustainability, governance, finance, culture and gender. This is an introductory course for persons from various backgrounds, both technical and non-technical. The One Ocean Hub' modules for the MOOC series include: 1. The Blue Economy and the Law of the Sea by Associate Professor Daniela Diz (Heriot-Watt University, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmgfBWEiLDg 2. Natural Capital and the Blue Economy by Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature=youtu.be 3. Integrated Ocean Management by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKm03jOf7Is 4. Integrated Ocean Management: South African Case Study by Dr Bernadette Snow (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=fx0c4nxSgl0&feature=youtu.be 5. Applying a systems analysis approach to support Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa by Dr Estee Vermeulen (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZv-eGaZLM 6. Knowledge Co-Production by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfErzDwW6ms 7. Human Rights and the Blue Economy by Professor Elisa Morgera ( University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv4xHRoRJI0 8. Gender, Culture and the Blue Economy by Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbfBHU8QObY 9. Division of Labour Case Study by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GYQ10m-CKo 10. Sustainable Fisheries by Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAa9IlCCxLo 11. Deep Seabed Mining Part 1 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y 12. Deep Seabed Mining Part 2 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg 13. Offshore Renewable Energy by Professor Martin Attrill ( University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng 14. Marine Biotechnology by Professor Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI 15. Case Study: Marine Biotechnology by Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI 16. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 1 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjMLX8E7h_s 17. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 2 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEt_LQEtXrM A blogpost summarising researchers' reflection on the MOOC series can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Disciplines Involved: Law Anthropology Art Marine Science Sociology Development Studies |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Building blue capacity across the globe |
| Organisation | University of the South Pacific, Laucala |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub project partner, the University of Seychelles, is leading the development and facilitation of four massive open online courses (MOOC) on the blue economy. The courses are being offered by Blue Economy Research Institute - University of Seychelles in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning. MOOCs have been developed by the University of Seychelles working with researchers from across the Hub network in conceptualizing parts of the course, developing and delivering modules. The University of Seychelles and the Commonwealth of Learning developed the overall concept and content outline and Hub researchers provided technical content collation and delivery. In total 15 Hub researchers contributed to develop a four-part Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) series on the Blue Economy, attracting around ~1500 participants (~46% women), from various continents and island nations. the online format was designed to enable inclusivity, operating across time zones and caring commitments. The series was run from Jun 2020 to April 2021, reaching over ~1500 participants in over ~70 countries globally. On average ~98% of post-course survey respondents indicated they would recommend the MOOC to colleagues. Courses have drawn on expertise from across all Hub regions and disciplines: Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. (Teaching Assistant for the MOOC). OOH Knowledge Exchange Fellow Prof Kerry Howell, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Co-Director Dr Kirsty McQuaid, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Post Doctoral Researcher Prof Martin Attril, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher Prof Mathew Upton, University of Plymouth, Marine Conservation Research Group. OOH Researcher. Dr Dylan McGarry, Rhodes University, South Africa. Environmental Learning Research Centre. OOH Co-Director Dr Alex Winkler, Rhodes University, South Africa. Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science. OOH Researcher Prof Pierre-Jean Bordahandy, the University of South Pacific. OOH Researcher Prof Rose Boswell, Nelson Mandela University, Research Chair in Ocean Cultures and Heritage. OOH Researcher Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, OOH Deputy Director Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University. Department of Development Studies. OOH PhD Student Dr Daniela Diz, Heriot Watt University, School of Energy and Geoscience. OOH Researcher Prof Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde. OOH Director and PI Mrs Kelly Hoareau, Blue Economy Research Institute, Seychelles (former Director). OOH Researcher. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. The following organisations are Hub's partners since the proposal stage: - Research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of South Pacific, Fiji and the University of Seychelles, Seychelles - Research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK and the University of Strathclyde, UK. The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought new partnership between the Hub with the Commonwealth of Learning, UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Commonwealth of Learning empowers people through learning that leads to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental conservation. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1987 to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL's greatest impact is in supporting efforts to provide Commonwealth citizens greater access to quality education and training through open, distance and technology-enabled learning, thereby allowing them to benefit from improved livelihoods, greater gender equity and overall economic, social and cultural development leading to sustainable development. The COL hosts a MOOC platform that provides a good learning experience at low bandwidth and offline where necessary. The COL partnered with University of Seychelles on the development of a MOOC series composed of four parts: • MOOC1: The Blue Economy: Sustainability, innovation and our ocean (Jun 2020) • MOOC2: The Blue Economy: Creating an Enabling Environment (Aug 2020) • MOOC3: The Blue Economy: Blue Resources (Jan 2021) • MOOC4: The Blue Economy: Blue Space (March 2021) This MOOCs introduced key blue economy sectors that can be developed, for example, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology. The course also explores some of the key considerations that influence the sustainability of individual sectors and blue economy strategies as a whole, such as gender equality and human rights. The course is hosted on the COL MOOCs for Development Website, and facilitated via the Commonwealth of Learning. Relevant links: https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy1 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy2 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3 https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy4 The collaboration "Building blue capacity across the globe" has brought societal impact. "The Blue Economy: Sustainability Innovation and Our Ocean" MOOC was updated and held for a second time starting on 29 October 2023 for five weeks in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute. This course was an introductory course exploring the foundational components of the blue economy. The course forms one of four courses that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute are hoping to update and offer (https://www.mooc4dev.org/blueeconomy1). The Once Ocean Hub and its knowledge products and experts have supported the development of the original four-part series and the Hub features strongly in the last three courses, but this latest offering of Course 1 was updated to include some of the more recent knowledge products produced by the Hub (Week 3: Blue Economy Knowledge Support, Activity 3.1, more information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7uhifsbh002h36sik33249vpg9). These illustrate underrepresented components (e.g. culture and community) of the blue economy in an innovative way that the students can relate to, helping them thing critically about the blue economy. The Hub has been inspirational for many young students that the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of Seychelles. It provides a space that captures key concerns and priorities for young academics (concerned with their future) and diverse learners and practitioners in a tangible way. 311 students (146 female; 165 male) from across the globe complete the course successfully with many more engaging with the material in an informal way. More information about course participants is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/btco7dkufke3vmfpfknolr2dmi. "The Blue Economy Knowledge Support" session includes the following Hub's knowledge products including: • One Ocean Hub: The Ocean and Climate Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqWCd9UR2Y) • The Blue Blanket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk) • Deep Connections | The Importance of Culturally Significant Areas in South Africa's marine space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) • Defenders of the Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY) |
| Impact | This partnership has led to the development of 17 modules as part of the series of MOOCs on the Blue Economy. Benefitting from the interdisciplinary global network of the One Ocean Hub, these MOOCs take an interdisciplinary holistic view of the Blue Economy, across key sectors for blue economy development: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology, and they also build in crosscutting issues linked to sustainability, governance, finance, culture and gender. This is an introductory course for persons from various backgrounds, both technical and non-technical. The One Ocean Hub' modules for the MOOC series include: 1. The Blue Economy and the Law of the Sea by Associate Professor Daniela Diz (Heriot-Watt University, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmgfBWEiLDg 2. Natural Capital and the Blue Economy by Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature=youtu.be 3. Integrated Ocean Management by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKm03jOf7Is 4. Integrated Ocean Management: South African Case Study by Dr Bernadette Snow (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=fx0c4nxSgl0&feature=youtu.be 5. Applying a systems analysis approach to support Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa by Dr Estee Vermeulen (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZv-eGaZLM 6. Knowledge Co-Production by Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfErzDwW6ms 7. Human Rights and the Blue Economy by Professor Elisa Morgera ( University of Strathclyde, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv4xHRoRJI0 8. Gender, Culture and the Blue Economy by Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbfBHU8QObY 9. Division of Labour Case Study by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GYQ10m-CKo 10. Sustainable Fisheries by Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAa9IlCCxLo 11. Deep Seabed Mining Part 1 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y 12. Deep Seabed Mining Part 2 by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg 13. Offshore Renewable Energy by Professor Martin Attrill ( University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng 14. Marine Biotechnology by Professor Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI 15. Case Study: Marine Biotechnology by Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI 16. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 1 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjMLX8E7h_s 17. Maritime Transport and Ports Part 2 by Associate Professor Pierre Jean Bordahandy (University of South Pacific, Fiji). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEt_LQEtXrM A blogpost summarising researchers' reflection on the MOOC series can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Disciplines Involved: Law Anthropology Art Marine Science Sociology Development Studies |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | COLLABORATION IN DEVELOPING THE ALGOA MARINE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS TOOL (AlgoaMSAT) |
| Organisation | Government of South Africa |
| Department | Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (DAFF) |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | As part of multi-funded Algoa Bay project: A government-funded Community of Practice project is designed to develop a marine plan for a pilot site (Algoa Bay) in South Africa. This project aims to develop a local-scale case Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) plan for Algoa Bay that will inform the development of Marine Area Plans for the four larger areas that will be consolidated into the National MSP. Within this, the Hub specifically is contributing to systems modelling for the project, and offshore ecosystem mapping and valuation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: - Research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa - The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include 12 new partner organisation based in South Africa including South African Maritime Safety Authority; South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster; and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism; Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds; Sustainable Seas Trust; South African National Parks; Bayworld; CEN; National Research Foundation, South African Environmental Observation Network, and South African International Maritime Institute. For more detailed information please see the section below on contributions made by partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The foundation of a healthy marine environment is central both in reducing carbon and helping people to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Algoa Bay, South Africa, features a metropolitan area, protected natural area, and hosts a range of marine uses that are closely interconnected with the health of the marine system. Future trajectories of marine uses and related marine sustainability goals will develop according to shifting needs of various sectors operating in the bay. This project has explored these trends and the underlying feedback effects driving changes between marine uses and the marine environment by developing the Algoa Marine Systems Analysis Tool (AlgoaMSAT), an exploratory system dynamics model. The development of the model is led by researchers at Nelson Mandela University and include collaboration with partners from research institutions in South Africa (Rhodes University, National Research Foundation, South African Environmental Observation Network, and South African International Maritime Institute), five local and state institutions (the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality; South African Maritime Safety Authority; South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster; and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism) and five non-profit organisations (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds; Sustainable Seas Trust; South African National Parks; Bayworld and CEN). Throughout 2021 stakeholder engagement was completed in three stages (1) one-one meetings, (2) Group Mapping Meeting, (3) Final model demonstration and product sharing workshop with state and non-state organisations listed above. The model is used to investigate trends and the sustainability of selected marine uses under alternative scenarios over time. System dynamics modelling (SDM) is the primary modelling method adopted in this study. Model development was conducted using Stella Architect software on a Windows system. The modelling stage entailed consultation with stakeholders, and iteratively parameterising, simulating, revising, verification and validating the model. This collaboration has achieved policy and public services impacts as it enabled the co-production of this online tool with stakeholders from various sectors (e.g. tourism, fisheries, shipping) operating in Algoa Bay to assess ability to respond to climate change through human, legal/policy, and environmental resources, integrating social sciences, climate science, conservation biology, social-ecological systems, and ecology. An impact expansion project using information from AlgoaMSAT further explored, impact and scenarios of COVID on the tourism industry in the Bay (led by Nelson Mandela University). The model and visual user interface was recognised by being awarded First Place in the 4th Annual South African System Dynamics competition (2021) and winning the Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA 2030) Award. |
| Impact | This project produced new and novel decision-support tools in support of integrated ocean management processes, such as Marine Spatial Planning, in response to the growing need to acknowledge and better manage complex human-ocean interactions in the face of changing climate. The AlgoaMSAT model integrates different uses of marine spaces including shipping, mariculture, fishing, tourism and recreation and land discharge activities. See: https://exchange.iseesystems.com/public/esteevermeulen/the-algoa-marine-systems-analysis-tool-algoamsat-user-interface/index.html#page1. The additional output of the research project and in complement to the AlgoaMSAT model is the visual user interface (VUI) that has been developed for purpose of providing a 'user-friendly' portal to engage with the model, specifically for users who are unfamiliar with the method of SDM or do not have access to the model software. Decision-makers or stakeholders can therefore investigate model scenarios by adjusting the inclusive model variables through 'levers' on the interface. The VUI can additionally be used in a multi- sectoral stakeholder setting, whereby stakeholders representing different marine uses can implement alternative management interventions and thereby compare scenarios. See: https://www.algoabayproject.com/abcodym. The project is also unique due to its inter-and trans-diciplinary nature, involving researchers from different disciplines (economic, sociology, marine science) and working with stakeholders including representatives of small-scale fishers, businesses, government institutions and non-profit organisations. The involvement of stakeholders in the project that assisted in model formulation and verification provided 'real-world' representation of the social-ecological marine system in Algoa Bay and insights on how the model can be applied in a sectoral and multi-sectoral stakeholder setting to support collaborative engagement and planning during integrated ocean management and marine spatial planning processes. Algoa Bay model: https://www.algoabayproject.com/abcodym User Interface: https://exchange.iseesystems.com/public/esteevermeulen/the-algoa-marine-systems-analysis-tool-algoamsat-user-interface/index.html#page1. Papers Vermeulen-Miltz, E.; Clifford-Holmes, J.K.; Snow, B.; Lombard, A.T. Exploring the Impacts of COVID-19 on Coastal Tourism to Inform Recovery Strategies in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. Systems 2022, 10, 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10040120. Vermeulen-Miltz, E., Clifford-Holmes, J. K., Scharler, U. M., Lombard., A.T. A system dynamics model to support marine spatial planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa, Environmental Modelling & Software, Volume 160. (2023).105601, ISSN 1364-8152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2022.105601. Competitions First Place in the 4th Annual South African System Dynamics competition (2021) https://systemdynamics.org/event/4th-annual-system-dynamics-competition-by-the-south-africa-system-dynamics-chapter/. The Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA 2030) Award, https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2022/1/gcua-2030-award-finalists/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | COLLABORATION IN DEVELOPING THE ALGOA MARINE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS TOOL (AlgoaMSAT) |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | As part of multi-funded Algoa Bay project: A government-funded Community of Practice project is designed to develop a marine plan for a pilot site (Algoa Bay) in South Africa. This project aims to develop a local-scale case Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) plan for Algoa Bay that will inform the development of Marine Area Plans for the four larger areas that will be consolidated into the National MSP. Within this, the Hub specifically is contributing to systems modelling for the project, and offshore ecosystem mapping and valuation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: - Research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa - The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include 12 new partner organisation based in South Africa including South African Maritime Safety Authority; South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster; and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism; Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds; Sustainable Seas Trust; South African National Parks; Bayworld; CEN; National Research Foundation, South African Environmental Observation Network, and South African International Maritime Institute. For more detailed information please see the section below on contributions made by partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The foundation of a healthy marine environment is central both in reducing carbon and helping people to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Algoa Bay, South Africa, features a metropolitan area, protected natural area, and hosts a range of marine uses that are closely interconnected with the health of the marine system. Future trajectories of marine uses and related marine sustainability goals will develop according to shifting needs of various sectors operating in the bay. This project has explored these trends and the underlying feedback effects driving changes between marine uses and the marine environment by developing the Algoa Marine Systems Analysis Tool (AlgoaMSAT), an exploratory system dynamics model. The development of the model is led by researchers at Nelson Mandela University and include collaboration with partners from research institutions in South Africa (Rhodes University, National Research Foundation, South African Environmental Observation Network, and South African International Maritime Institute), five local and state institutions (the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality; South African Maritime Safety Authority; South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster; and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism) and five non-profit organisations (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds; Sustainable Seas Trust; South African National Parks; Bayworld and CEN). Throughout 2021 stakeholder engagement was completed in three stages (1) one-one meetings, (2) Group Mapping Meeting, (3) Final model demonstration and product sharing workshop with state and non-state organisations listed above. The model is used to investigate trends and the sustainability of selected marine uses under alternative scenarios over time. System dynamics modelling (SDM) is the primary modelling method adopted in this study. Model development was conducted using Stella Architect software on a Windows system. The modelling stage entailed consultation with stakeholders, and iteratively parameterising, simulating, revising, verification and validating the model. This collaboration has achieved policy and public services impacts as it enabled the co-production of this online tool with stakeholders from various sectors (e.g. tourism, fisheries, shipping) operating in Algoa Bay to assess ability to respond to climate change through human, legal/policy, and environmental resources, integrating social sciences, climate science, conservation biology, social-ecological systems, and ecology. An impact expansion project using information from AlgoaMSAT further explored, impact and scenarios of COVID on the tourism industry in the Bay (led by Nelson Mandela University). The model and visual user interface was recognised by being awarded First Place in the 4th Annual South African System Dynamics competition (2021) and winning the Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA 2030) Award. |
| Impact | This project produced new and novel decision-support tools in support of integrated ocean management processes, such as Marine Spatial Planning, in response to the growing need to acknowledge and better manage complex human-ocean interactions in the face of changing climate. The AlgoaMSAT model integrates different uses of marine spaces including shipping, mariculture, fishing, tourism and recreation and land discharge activities. See: https://exchange.iseesystems.com/public/esteevermeulen/the-algoa-marine-systems-analysis-tool-algoamsat-user-interface/index.html#page1. The additional output of the research project and in complement to the AlgoaMSAT model is the visual user interface (VUI) that has been developed for purpose of providing a 'user-friendly' portal to engage with the model, specifically for users who are unfamiliar with the method of SDM or do not have access to the model software. Decision-makers or stakeholders can therefore investigate model scenarios by adjusting the inclusive model variables through 'levers' on the interface. The VUI can additionally be used in a multi- sectoral stakeholder setting, whereby stakeholders representing different marine uses can implement alternative management interventions and thereby compare scenarios. See: https://www.algoabayproject.com/abcodym. The project is also unique due to its inter-and trans-diciplinary nature, involving researchers from different disciplines (economic, sociology, marine science) and working with stakeholders including representatives of small-scale fishers, businesses, government institutions and non-profit organisations. The involvement of stakeholders in the project that assisted in model formulation and verification provided 'real-world' representation of the social-ecological marine system in Algoa Bay and insights on how the model can be applied in a sectoral and multi-sectoral stakeholder setting to support collaborative engagement and planning during integrated ocean management and marine spatial planning processes. Algoa Bay model: https://www.algoabayproject.com/abcodym User Interface: https://exchange.iseesystems.com/public/esteevermeulen/the-algoa-marine-systems-analysis-tool-algoamsat-user-interface/index.html#page1. Papers Vermeulen-Miltz, E.; Clifford-Holmes, J.K.; Snow, B.; Lombard, A.T. Exploring the Impacts of COVID-19 on Coastal Tourism to Inform Recovery Strategies in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. Systems 2022, 10, 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10040120. Vermeulen-Miltz, E., Clifford-Holmes, J. K., Scharler, U. M., Lombard., A.T. A system dynamics model to support marine spatial planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa, Environmental Modelling & Software, Volume 160. (2023).105601, ISSN 1364-8152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2022.105601. Competitions First Place in the 4th Annual South African System Dynamics competition (2021) https://systemdynamics.org/event/4th-annual-system-dynamics-competition-by-the-south-africa-system-dynamics-chapter/. The Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA 2030) Award, https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2022/1/gcua-2030-award-finalists/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | COLLABORATION IN DEVELOPING THE ALGOA MARINE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS TOOL (AlgoaMSAT) |
| Organisation | South African Environmental Observation Network |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | As part of multi-funded Algoa Bay project: A government-funded Community of Practice project is designed to develop a marine plan for a pilot site (Algoa Bay) in South Africa. This project aims to develop a local-scale case Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) plan for Algoa Bay that will inform the development of Marine Area Plans for the four larger areas that will be consolidated into the National MSP. Within this, the Hub specifically is contributing to systems modelling for the project, and offshore ecosystem mapping and valuation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: - Research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa - The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include 12 new partner organisation based in South Africa including South African Maritime Safety Authority; South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster; and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism; Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds; Sustainable Seas Trust; South African National Parks; Bayworld; CEN; National Research Foundation, South African Environmental Observation Network, and South African International Maritime Institute. For more detailed information please see the section below on contributions made by partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The foundation of a healthy marine environment is central both in reducing carbon and helping people to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Algoa Bay, South Africa, features a metropolitan area, protected natural area, and hosts a range of marine uses that are closely interconnected with the health of the marine system. Future trajectories of marine uses and related marine sustainability goals will develop according to shifting needs of various sectors operating in the bay. This project has explored these trends and the underlying feedback effects driving changes between marine uses and the marine environment by developing the Algoa Marine Systems Analysis Tool (AlgoaMSAT), an exploratory system dynamics model. The development of the model is led by researchers at Nelson Mandela University and include collaboration with partners from research institutions in South Africa (Rhodes University, National Research Foundation, South African Environmental Observation Network, and South African International Maritime Institute), five local and state institutions (the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality; South African Maritime Safety Authority; South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster; and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism) and five non-profit organisations (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds; Sustainable Seas Trust; South African National Parks; Bayworld and CEN). Throughout 2021 stakeholder engagement was completed in three stages (1) one-one meetings, (2) Group Mapping Meeting, (3) Final model demonstration and product sharing workshop with state and non-state organisations listed above. The model is used to investigate trends and the sustainability of selected marine uses under alternative scenarios over time. System dynamics modelling (SDM) is the primary modelling method adopted in this study. Model development was conducted using Stella Architect software on a Windows system. The modelling stage entailed consultation with stakeholders, and iteratively parameterising, simulating, revising, verification and validating the model. This collaboration has achieved policy and public services impacts as it enabled the co-production of this online tool with stakeholders from various sectors (e.g. tourism, fisheries, shipping) operating in Algoa Bay to assess ability to respond to climate change through human, legal/policy, and environmental resources, integrating social sciences, climate science, conservation biology, social-ecological systems, and ecology. An impact expansion project using information from AlgoaMSAT further explored, impact and scenarios of COVID on the tourism industry in the Bay (led by Nelson Mandela University). The model and visual user interface was recognised by being awarded First Place in the 4th Annual South African System Dynamics competition (2021) and winning the Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA 2030) Award. |
| Impact | This project produced new and novel decision-support tools in support of integrated ocean management processes, such as Marine Spatial Planning, in response to the growing need to acknowledge and better manage complex human-ocean interactions in the face of changing climate. The AlgoaMSAT model integrates different uses of marine spaces including shipping, mariculture, fishing, tourism and recreation and land discharge activities. See: https://exchange.iseesystems.com/public/esteevermeulen/the-algoa-marine-systems-analysis-tool-algoamsat-user-interface/index.html#page1. The additional output of the research project and in complement to the AlgoaMSAT model is the visual user interface (VUI) that has been developed for purpose of providing a 'user-friendly' portal to engage with the model, specifically for users who are unfamiliar with the method of SDM or do not have access to the model software. Decision-makers or stakeholders can therefore investigate model scenarios by adjusting the inclusive model variables through 'levers' on the interface. The VUI can additionally be used in a multi- sectoral stakeholder setting, whereby stakeholders representing different marine uses can implement alternative management interventions and thereby compare scenarios. See: https://www.algoabayproject.com/abcodym. The project is also unique due to its inter-and trans-diciplinary nature, involving researchers from different disciplines (economic, sociology, marine science) and working with stakeholders including representatives of small-scale fishers, businesses, government institutions and non-profit organisations. The involvement of stakeholders in the project that assisted in model formulation and verification provided 'real-world' representation of the social-ecological marine system in Algoa Bay and insights on how the model can be applied in a sectoral and multi-sectoral stakeholder setting to support collaborative engagement and planning during integrated ocean management and marine spatial planning processes. Algoa Bay model: https://www.algoabayproject.com/abcodym User Interface: https://exchange.iseesystems.com/public/esteevermeulen/the-algoa-marine-systems-analysis-tool-algoamsat-user-interface/index.html#page1. Papers Vermeulen-Miltz, E.; Clifford-Holmes, J.K.; Snow, B.; Lombard, A.T. Exploring the Impacts of COVID-19 on Coastal Tourism to Inform Recovery Strategies in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. Systems 2022, 10, 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10040120. Vermeulen-Miltz, E., Clifford-Holmes, J. K., Scharler, U. M., Lombard., A.T. A system dynamics model to support marine spatial planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa, Environmental Modelling & Software, Volume 160. (2023).105601, ISSN 1364-8152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2022.105601. Competitions First Place in the 4th Annual South African System Dynamics competition (2021) https://systemdynamics.org/event/4th-annual-system-dynamics-competition-by-the-south-africa-system-dynamics-chapter/. The Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA 2030) Award, https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2022/1/gcua-2030-award-finalists/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | COLLABORATION IN DEVELOPING THE ALGOA MARINE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS TOOL (AlgoaMSAT) |
| Organisation | South African National Research Foundation (NRF) |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | As part of multi-funded Algoa Bay project: A government-funded Community of Practice project is designed to develop a marine plan for a pilot site (Algoa Bay) in South Africa. This project aims to develop a local-scale case Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) plan for Algoa Bay that will inform the development of Marine Area Plans for the four larger areas that will be consolidated into the National MSP. Within this, the Hub specifically is contributing to systems modelling for the project, and offshore ecosystem mapping and valuation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: - Research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa - The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include 12 new partner organisation based in South Africa including South African Maritime Safety Authority; South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster; and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism; Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds; Sustainable Seas Trust; South African National Parks; Bayworld; CEN; National Research Foundation, South African Environmental Observation Network, and South African International Maritime Institute. For more detailed information please see the section below on contributions made by partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The foundation of a healthy marine environment is central both in reducing carbon and helping people to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Algoa Bay, South Africa, features a metropolitan area, protected natural area, and hosts a range of marine uses that are closely interconnected with the health of the marine system. Future trajectories of marine uses and related marine sustainability goals will develop according to shifting needs of various sectors operating in the bay. This project has explored these trends and the underlying feedback effects driving changes between marine uses and the marine environment by developing the Algoa Marine Systems Analysis Tool (AlgoaMSAT), an exploratory system dynamics model. The development of the model is led by researchers at Nelson Mandela University and include collaboration with partners from research institutions in South Africa (Rhodes University, National Research Foundation, South African Environmental Observation Network, and South African International Maritime Institute), five local and state institutions (the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality; South African Maritime Safety Authority; South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster; and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism) and five non-profit organisations (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds; Sustainable Seas Trust; South African National Parks; Bayworld and CEN). Throughout 2021 stakeholder engagement was completed in three stages (1) one-one meetings, (2) Group Mapping Meeting, (3) Final model demonstration and product sharing workshop with state and non-state organisations listed above. The model is used to investigate trends and the sustainability of selected marine uses under alternative scenarios over time. System dynamics modelling (SDM) is the primary modelling method adopted in this study. Model development was conducted using Stella Architect software on a Windows system. The modelling stage entailed consultation with stakeholders, and iteratively parameterising, simulating, revising, verification and validating the model. This collaboration has achieved policy and public services impacts as it enabled the co-production of this online tool with stakeholders from various sectors (e.g. tourism, fisheries, shipping) operating in Algoa Bay to assess ability to respond to climate change through human, legal/policy, and environmental resources, integrating social sciences, climate science, conservation biology, social-ecological systems, and ecology. An impact expansion project using information from AlgoaMSAT further explored, impact and scenarios of COVID on the tourism industry in the Bay (led by Nelson Mandela University). The model and visual user interface was recognised by being awarded First Place in the 4th Annual South African System Dynamics competition (2021) and winning the Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA 2030) Award. |
| Impact | This project produced new and novel decision-support tools in support of integrated ocean management processes, such as Marine Spatial Planning, in response to the growing need to acknowledge and better manage complex human-ocean interactions in the face of changing climate. The AlgoaMSAT model integrates different uses of marine spaces including shipping, mariculture, fishing, tourism and recreation and land discharge activities. See: https://exchange.iseesystems.com/public/esteevermeulen/the-algoa-marine-systems-analysis-tool-algoamsat-user-interface/index.html#page1. The additional output of the research project and in complement to the AlgoaMSAT model is the visual user interface (VUI) that has been developed for purpose of providing a 'user-friendly' portal to engage with the model, specifically for users who are unfamiliar with the method of SDM or do not have access to the model software. Decision-makers or stakeholders can therefore investigate model scenarios by adjusting the inclusive model variables through 'levers' on the interface. The VUI can additionally be used in a multi- sectoral stakeholder setting, whereby stakeholders representing different marine uses can implement alternative management interventions and thereby compare scenarios. See: https://www.algoabayproject.com/abcodym. The project is also unique due to its inter-and trans-diciplinary nature, involving researchers from different disciplines (economic, sociology, marine science) and working with stakeholders including representatives of small-scale fishers, businesses, government institutions and non-profit organisations. The involvement of stakeholders in the project that assisted in model formulation and verification provided 'real-world' representation of the social-ecological marine system in Algoa Bay and insights on how the model can be applied in a sectoral and multi-sectoral stakeholder setting to support collaborative engagement and planning during integrated ocean management and marine spatial planning processes. Algoa Bay model: https://www.algoabayproject.com/abcodym User Interface: https://exchange.iseesystems.com/public/esteevermeulen/the-algoa-marine-systems-analysis-tool-algoamsat-user-interface/index.html#page1. Papers Vermeulen-Miltz, E.; Clifford-Holmes, J.K.; Snow, B.; Lombard, A.T. Exploring the Impacts of COVID-19 on Coastal Tourism to Inform Recovery Strategies in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. Systems 2022, 10, 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10040120. Vermeulen-Miltz, E., Clifford-Holmes, J. K., Scharler, U. M., Lombard., A.T. A system dynamics model to support marine spatial planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa, Environmental Modelling & Software, Volume 160. (2023).105601, ISSN 1364-8152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2022.105601. Competitions First Place in the 4th Annual South African System Dynamics competition (2021) https://systemdynamics.org/event/4th-annual-system-dynamics-competition-by-the-south-africa-system-dynamics-chapter/. The Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA 2030) Award, https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2022/1/gcua-2030-award-finalists/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | CONNECTING EFFORTS ON EQUITY IN OCEAN SCIENCE AND GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Association of Commonwealth Universities |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Ocean Nexus is a research centre funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan that supports more inclusive ocean governance, so that it includes the voices of ocean communities. The partnership between Ocean Nexus and the Hub started in November 2021 at the initiative of Ocean Nexus, which invited the Hub to deliver a presentation on ocean plastics and human rights at a webinar for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on ocean plastics and equity ("The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021). This panel was presented by Ocean Voices, a UN Ocean Decade-endorsed action program within the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center. The panel provided an opportunity for the Hub to connect with other research projects and civil-society initiatives in other regions. It was then followed up in 2022 and 2023 by the co-development of a joint programme of work on ocean plastics and equity for the UN Decade. The preparatory conversation for the event led Ocean Nexus to identify other related areas of international collaboration with the Hub, in relation to the UN Decade in particular, on which to complement respective research and stakeholder engagements, in recognition of the unique contributions of the Hub on human rights and innovative transdisciplinary methodologies. The areas of future collaboration encompass: (1) research co-development, (2) human rights of the child, and (3) blue economy. In February 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus planned a joint seminar on research co-development (scheduled in May 2022) for the UN Decade for Ocean Science to showcase Hub research to: unveil the policy and legal dimension to co-development in research (legal obligations, including from a human rights perspective, on how to do research), highlight responsibility of donors to promote good practices and transformative ocean science through co-development; and advance understanding about complexities at local level in co-development of research (e.g. the importance of code of ethics, legal components in research to protect stakeholders, the need for meaningful engagement with stakeholder - not the usual 'stakeholder consultation'). The joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory" (See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). On 28 June 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus together with other partners including the University of Strathclyde, Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), World Wide Fund for Nature, Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) co-organised a joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the second UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. The event started with the screening of the Hub's film on Ghanaian women fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA) followed by a panel discussion on the contentious human rights issues surfacing as blue economy developments expand at scale (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was also invited to the Ocean Nexus' launching of a 4-month Marine Plastic Pollution (MPP) Roadmap Development Project in June 2022. Ocean Nexus was convening an international, multisector group of experts to co-develop between July and November 2022 a 10-year strategic plan to address this issue (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/equity-marine-plastic-pollution-report/). This partnership led Ocean Nexus to mobilise funding for a joint one-year postdoc with the Hub (University of Strathclyde and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) to further develop children's human rights and ocean literacy as part of the broader program on ocean equity. This provided an opportunity to continue work initiated under the Hub for a PhD student at Nelson Mandela University, Mia Strand. Mia Strand research explores cognitive justice and equity in ocean literacies and children's rights to a healthy ocean. Beyond crucial aspects to all life such as oxygen production, the water cycle, climate regulation, and global food production, a healthy ocean is fundamental to children's wellbeing across the globe, in securing a happy and healthy early years' experience and supporting the transition into adulthood, and their access to sociocultural aspects such as cultural heritage, Indigenous knowledge systems, play and traditions that are inextricably linked to a healthy ocean. However, ocean literacy efforts are often criticised for being didactic, positivistic and science-heavy, focusing on increasing people's (and specifically children's) knowledge of the biophysical aspects of marine ecosystems as understood from a largely Western academic standpoint (see Strand et al., 2023 available from https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml). UNESCO (2018, available from here: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260721) has even criticised their own approaches and ocean literacy toolkit, arguing that the work was absent of the voices of Indigenous and local knowledge systems, communities and people in the Global South. Working closely with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) as a partner organisation, Mia will investigate how ocean literacies efforts can better situate the experiences of children in specific contexts, and emphasise the embodied and place-based influence on children's priorities for, understandings of and interests in a healthy ocean. The research will centre arts-based research approaches such as storytelling, and reflect on ethics and equity in knowledge co-production processes such as transdisciplinarity and participatory approaches. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy. This collaboration include new partnerships with the following organisations: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: The Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, US; World Wide Fund for Nature, Italy; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Ocean Nexus seeks to advance ocean research on equity, with projects also in African countries. It has an extensive international network of partners and already an established position within the UN Decade for Ocean Science. It is leading the UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" that focuses on inter-disciplinary solutions-oriented research to advancing understanding of problems facing ocean-dependent communities (see: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/11/16_Ocean-Voices_Factsheet.pdf). Ocean Nexus expressed willingness to amplify the key messages and methods arising from the One Ocean Hub as original and innovative in the international ocean research landscape, as it shares the same ethos of the Hub to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts among different research projects. The One Ocean Hub has initially been asked to share expertise, findings, and approaches on human rights via the University of Strathclyde. Hub Director Elisa Morgera has been recognised as a Research Associate of Ocean Nexus (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/about/people/fellows/), which is described as: "The associates are passionate and open-mind to the critical perspectives and sincere to our goal to promote community voices and needs while maintaining academic rigor to continue the effort rather than providing one-stop tools or guidelines. Ocean Nexus honors those researchers who are pushing the boundary in research and recognize that ocean issues are equity/equality issues, and we must act reflexively on our past and current injustice and inequality for urgent changes in systemic and structural injustice." In May 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus co-organised a workshop on research co-development for the UN Decade for Ocean Science (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8S). The One Ocean Hub's contributions focused on: the process of co-developing the Hub's Code of Practice and learning from its implementation, and on innovative practices and arts-based approaches to transdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. Throughout 2022 Ocean Nexus also facilitated connections between: a postdoctoral researcher based at Ocean Nexus who is conducting research on human rights in fisheries in Ghana with the One Ocean Hub's Ghana team to explore collaboration on sustainable fisheries (see other entry under Collaborations); and Hub researchers working on blue economy with Ocean Nexus team who is working on UNEP Blue Economy Index, with a view to supporting Hub research to inform the development of the Index. In addition, as Ocean Nexus's focus region for blue economy research is the Caribbean, which aligns with the Hub's legacy in the same region, Ocean Nexus is interested to build upon the Hub's research findings and experience in conducting research on blue economy in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia to support jointly cross-regional learning. In 2023, Ocean Nexus has provided funding to the One Ocean Hub to advance the collaboration between the two organisations: they have funded Hub's early-career researcher Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) for a shared 1-year Postdoctoral Fellow starting in January 2024 (to be based at the One Ocean Hub) to focus on human rights of the children and ocean-related health issues. The funding provided by Ocean Nexus include salary and benefits for the Fellow (60-65,000 USD), research support (10-15,000 USD), institutional overhead (10% of the direct cost) and additional research support funding (up to 5,000 USD) to be allocated toward hiring student research assistants at the host institute (Nelson Mandela University) in support of the Fellow's work. In 2024, following confirmation from Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on 3 October 2023 of the Hub's appointment as a Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdisciplinary research, it is expected that other Hub research partners notably Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University and Plymouth University on arts-based approaches, research co-development, marine spatial planning and blue economy will be involved in the partnerships with Ocean Nexus. Ocean Nexus's Ocean Voices: Advancing equity through the UN Ocean Decade is a UN Decade endorsed programme (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/). The Hub and Ocean Nexus has planned to co-organise a seminar on innovative and equitable approaches to marine spatial planning for the UN Decade. The collaboration "Connecting efforts on equity in ocean science and governance internationally" has brough policy and public services impacts through its direct contributions in shaping UN Decade for Ocean Science practices in advancing equity in ocean governance that focuses on inter-and-trans- disciplinary solutions-oriented research. The series of two workshops on research co-development and marine plastics and the joint side-event for the UN Ocean Conference co-organised by the Hub, Ocean Nexus and other partners involved in this collaboration advanced the understanding of policy issues, methods, and best practices around ocean research co-development and science-policy interface. Both the Hub and Ocean Nexus have established positions within the UN Decade for Ocean Science with Ocean Nexus leading UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" and the Hub's role as the Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity. The collaboration has also delivered demonstrable societal impact as all the two joint workshops and the side-event for the UN Ocean Conference built capacity for over 220 environmental activists, lawyers, governments, regional and international organisations, students, researchers, and general public to advance understanding of the factors influencing the contribution of ocean science and critically identify barriers and enabling conditions for equity, fairness and justice in ocean science for sustainable development. The Ocean Nexus funded postdoctoral research also directly contributes to capacity building of one early-career researcher based in South Africa. |
| Impact | Publications: • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en Blogpost: One Ocean Hub, "Mia Strand becomes a research fellow at Ocean Nexus focusing on equity in ocean literacies and children's rights," 12 February 2024. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mia-strand-becomes-a-research-fellow-at-ocean-nexus-focusing-on-equity-in-ocean-literacies-and-childrens-rights/ Policy brief: Strand M, Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: 10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ Joint events: • The organisation of Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021. Reported under Engagement. See: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/ocean-litter/ • The organisation of a joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory." See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). • A joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, 28 June 2022. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/ and here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue Ocean Nexus and the Hub collaboration on marine plastics will produce publication(s) for a special edition with Marine Policy on this topic, and a joint programme of work for the UN Decade. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | CONNECTING EFFORTS ON EQUITY IN OCEAN SCIENCE AND GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Ocean Nexus is a research centre funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan that supports more inclusive ocean governance, so that it includes the voices of ocean communities. The partnership between Ocean Nexus and the Hub started in November 2021 at the initiative of Ocean Nexus, which invited the Hub to deliver a presentation on ocean plastics and human rights at a webinar for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on ocean plastics and equity ("The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021). This panel was presented by Ocean Voices, a UN Ocean Decade-endorsed action program within the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center. The panel provided an opportunity for the Hub to connect with other research projects and civil-society initiatives in other regions. It was then followed up in 2022 and 2023 by the co-development of a joint programme of work on ocean plastics and equity for the UN Decade. The preparatory conversation for the event led Ocean Nexus to identify other related areas of international collaboration with the Hub, in relation to the UN Decade in particular, on which to complement respective research and stakeholder engagements, in recognition of the unique contributions of the Hub on human rights and innovative transdisciplinary methodologies. The areas of future collaboration encompass: (1) research co-development, (2) human rights of the child, and (3) blue economy. In February 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus planned a joint seminar on research co-development (scheduled in May 2022) for the UN Decade for Ocean Science to showcase Hub research to: unveil the policy and legal dimension to co-development in research (legal obligations, including from a human rights perspective, on how to do research), highlight responsibility of donors to promote good practices and transformative ocean science through co-development; and advance understanding about complexities at local level in co-development of research (e.g. the importance of code of ethics, legal components in research to protect stakeholders, the need for meaningful engagement with stakeholder - not the usual 'stakeholder consultation'). The joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory" (See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). On 28 June 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus together with other partners including the University of Strathclyde, Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), World Wide Fund for Nature, Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) co-organised a joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the second UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. The event started with the screening of the Hub's film on Ghanaian women fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA) followed by a panel discussion on the contentious human rights issues surfacing as blue economy developments expand at scale (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was also invited to the Ocean Nexus' launching of a 4-month Marine Plastic Pollution (MPP) Roadmap Development Project in June 2022. Ocean Nexus was convening an international, multisector group of experts to co-develop between July and November 2022 a 10-year strategic plan to address this issue (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/equity-marine-plastic-pollution-report/). This partnership led Ocean Nexus to mobilise funding for a joint one-year postdoc with the Hub (University of Strathclyde and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) to further develop children's human rights and ocean literacy as part of the broader program on ocean equity. This provided an opportunity to continue work initiated under the Hub for a PhD student at Nelson Mandela University, Mia Strand. Mia Strand research explores cognitive justice and equity in ocean literacies and children's rights to a healthy ocean. Beyond crucial aspects to all life such as oxygen production, the water cycle, climate regulation, and global food production, a healthy ocean is fundamental to children's wellbeing across the globe, in securing a happy and healthy early years' experience and supporting the transition into adulthood, and their access to sociocultural aspects such as cultural heritage, Indigenous knowledge systems, play and traditions that are inextricably linked to a healthy ocean. However, ocean literacy efforts are often criticised for being didactic, positivistic and science-heavy, focusing on increasing people's (and specifically children's) knowledge of the biophysical aspects of marine ecosystems as understood from a largely Western academic standpoint (see Strand et al., 2023 available from https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml). UNESCO (2018, available from here: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260721) has even criticised their own approaches and ocean literacy toolkit, arguing that the work was absent of the voices of Indigenous and local knowledge systems, communities and people in the Global South. Working closely with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) as a partner organisation, Mia will investigate how ocean literacies efforts can better situate the experiences of children in specific contexts, and emphasise the embodied and place-based influence on children's priorities for, understandings of and interests in a healthy ocean. The research will centre arts-based research approaches such as storytelling, and reflect on ethics and equity in knowledge co-production processes such as transdisciplinarity and participatory approaches. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy. This collaboration include new partnerships with the following organisations: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: The Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, US; World Wide Fund for Nature, Italy; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Ocean Nexus seeks to advance ocean research on equity, with projects also in African countries. It has an extensive international network of partners and already an established position within the UN Decade for Ocean Science. It is leading the UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" that focuses on inter-disciplinary solutions-oriented research to advancing understanding of problems facing ocean-dependent communities (see: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/11/16_Ocean-Voices_Factsheet.pdf). Ocean Nexus expressed willingness to amplify the key messages and methods arising from the One Ocean Hub as original and innovative in the international ocean research landscape, as it shares the same ethos of the Hub to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts among different research projects. The One Ocean Hub has initially been asked to share expertise, findings, and approaches on human rights via the University of Strathclyde. Hub Director Elisa Morgera has been recognised as a Research Associate of Ocean Nexus (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/about/people/fellows/), which is described as: "The associates are passionate and open-mind to the critical perspectives and sincere to our goal to promote community voices and needs while maintaining academic rigor to continue the effort rather than providing one-stop tools or guidelines. Ocean Nexus honors those researchers who are pushing the boundary in research and recognize that ocean issues are equity/equality issues, and we must act reflexively on our past and current injustice and inequality for urgent changes in systemic and structural injustice." In May 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus co-organised a workshop on research co-development for the UN Decade for Ocean Science (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8S). The One Ocean Hub's contributions focused on: the process of co-developing the Hub's Code of Practice and learning from its implementation, and on innovative practices and arts-based approaches to transdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. Throughout 2022 Ocean Nexus also facilitated connections between: a postdoctoral researcher based at Ocean Nexus who is conducting research on human rights in fisheries in Ghana with the One Ocean Hub's Ghana team to explore collaboration on sustainable fisheries (see other entry under Collaborations); and Hub researchers working on blue economy with Ocean Nexus team who is working on UNEP Blue Economy Index, with a view to supporting Hub research to inform the development of the Index. In addition, as Ocean Nexus's focus region for blue economy research is the Caribbean, which aligns with the Hub's legacy in the same region, Ocean Nexus is interested to build upon the Hub's research findings and experience in conducting research on blue economy in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia to support jointly cross-regional learning. In 2023, Ocean Nexus has provided funding to the One Ocean Hub to advance the collaboration between the two organisations: they have funded Hub's early-career researcher Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) for a shared 1-year Postdoctoral Fellow starting in January 2024 (to be based at the One Ocean Hub) to focus on human rights of the children and ocean-related health issues. The funding provided by Ocean Nexus include salary and benefits for the Fellow (60-65,000 USD), research support (10-15,000 USD), institutional overhead (10% of the direct cost) and additional research support funding (up to 5,000 USD) to be allocated toward hiring student research assistants at the host institute (Nelson Mandela University) in support of the Fellow's work. In 2024, following confirmation from Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on 3 October 2023 of the Hub's appointment as a Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdisciplinary research, it is expected that other Hub research partners notably Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University and Plymouth University on arts-based approaches, research co-development, marine spatial planning and blue economy will be involved in the partnerships with Ocean Nexus. Ocean Nexus's Ocean Voices: Advancing equity through the UN Ocean Decade is a UN Decade endorsed programme (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/). The Hub and Ocean Nexus has planned to co-organise a seminar on innovative and equitable approaches to marine spatial planning for the UN Decade. The collaboration "Connecting efforts on equity in ocean science and governance internationally" has brough policy and public services impacts through its direct contributions in shaping UN Decade for Ocean Science practices in advancing equity in ocean governance that focuses on inter-and-trans- disciplinary solutions-oriented research. The series of two workshops on research co-development and marine plastics and the joint side-event for the UN Ocean Conference co-organised by the Hub, Ocean Nexus and other partners involved in this collaboration advanced the understanding of policy issues, methods, and best practices around ocean research co-development and science-policy interface. Both the Hub and Ocean Nexus have established positions within the UN Decade for Ocean Science with Ocean Nexus leading UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" and the Hub's role as the Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity. The collaboration has also delivered demonstrable societal impact as all the two joint workshops and the side-event for the UN Ocean Conference built capacity for over 220 environmental activists, lawyers, governments, regional and international organisations, students, researchers, and general public to advance understanding of the factors influencing the contribution of ocean science and critically identify barriers and enabling conditions for equity, fairness and justice in ocean science for sustainable development. The Ocean Nexus funded postdoctoral research also directly contributes to capacity building of one early-career researcher based in South Africa. |
| Impact | Publications: • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en Blogpost: One Ocean Hub, "Mia Strand becomes a research fellow at Ocean Nexus focusing on equity in ocean literacies and children's rights," 12 February 2024. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mia-strand-becomes-a-research-fellow-at-ocean-nexus-focusing-on-equity-in-ocean-literacies-and-childrens-rights/ Policy brief: Strand M, Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: 10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ Joint events: • The organisation of Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021. Reported under Engagement. See: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/ocean-litter/ • The organisation of a joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory." See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). • A joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, 28 June 2022. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/ and here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue Ocean Nexus and the Hub collaboration on marine plastics will produce publication(s) for a special edition with Marine Policy on this topic, and a joint programme of work for the UN Decade. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | CONNECTING EFFORTS ON EQUITY IN OCEAN SCIENCE AND GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Ocean Nexus is a research centre funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan that supports more inclusive ocean governance, so that it includes the voices of ocean communities. The partnership between Ocean Nexus and the Hub started in November 2021 at the initiative of Ocean Nexus, which invited the Hub to deliver a presentation on ocean plastics and human rights at a webinar for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on ocean plastics and equity ("The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021). This panel was presented by Ocean Voices, a UN Ocean Decade-endorsed action program within the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center. The panel provided an opportunity for the Hub to connect with other research projects and civil-society initiatives in other regions. It was then followed up in 2022 and 2023 by the co-development of a joint programme of work on ocean plastics and equity for the UN Decade. The preparatory conversation for the event led Ocean Nexus to identify other related areas of international collaboration with the Hub, in relation to the UN Decade in particular, on which to complement respective research and stakeholder engagements, in recognition of the unique contributions of the Hub on human rights and innovative transdisciplinary methodologies. The areas of future collaboration encompass: (1) research co-development, (2) human rights of the child, and (3) blue economy. In February 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus planned a joint seminar on research co-development (scheduled in May 2022) for the UN Decade for Ocean Science to showcase Hub research to: unveil the policy and legal dimension to co-development in research (legal obligations, including from a human rights perspective, on how to do research), highlight responsibility of donors to promote good practices and transformative ocean science through co-development; and advance understanding about complexities at local level in co-development of research (e.g. the importance of code of ethics, legal components in research to protect stakeholders, the need for meaningful engagement with stakeholder - not the usual 'stakeholder consultation'). The joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory" (See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). On 28 June 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus together with other partners including the University of Strathclyde, Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), World Wide Fund for Nature, Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) co-organised a joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the second UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. The event started with the screening of the Hub's film on Ghanaian women fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA) followed by a panel discussion on the contentious human rights issues surfacing as blue economy developments expand at scale (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was also invited to the Ocean Nexus' launching of a 4-month Marine Plastic Pollution (MPP) Roadmap Development Project in June 2022. Ocean Nexus was convening an international, multisector group of experts to co-develop between July and November 2022 a 10-year strategic plan to address this issue (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/equity-marine-plastic-pollution-report/). This partnership led Ocean Nexus to mobilise funding for a joint one-year postdoc with the Hub (University of Strathclyde and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) to further develop children's human rights and ocean literacy as part of the broader program on ocean equity. This provided an opportunity to continue work initiated under the Hub for a PhD student at Nelson Mandela University, Mia Strand. Mia Strand research explores cognitive justice and equity in ocean literacies and children's rights to a healthy ocean. Beyond crucial aspects to all life such as oxygen production, the water cycle, climate regulation, and global food production, a healthy ocean is fundamental to children's wellbeing across the globe, in securing a happy and healthy early years' experience and supporting the transition into adulthood, and their access to sociocultural aspects such as cultural heritage, Indigenous knowledge systems, play and traditions that are inextricably linked to a healthy ocean. However, ocean literacy efforts are often criticised for being didactic, positivistic and science-heavy, focusing on increasing people's (and specifically children's) knowledge of the biophysical aspects of marine ecosystems as understood from a largely Western academic standpoint (see Strand et al., 2023 available from https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml). UNESCO (2018, available from here: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260721) has even criticised their own approaches and ocean literacy toolkit, arguing that the work was absent of the voices of Indigenous and local knowledge systems, communities and people in the Global South. Working closely with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) as a partner organisation, Mia will investigate how ocean literacies efforts can better situate the experiences of children in specific contexts, and emphasise the embodied and place-based influence on children's priorities for, understandings of and interests in a healthy ocean. The research will centre arts-based research approaches such as storytelling, and reflect on ethics and equity in knowledge co-production processes such as transdisciplinarity and participatory approaches. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy. This collaboration include new partnerships with the following organisations: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: The Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, US; World Wide Fund for Nature, Italy; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Ocean Nexus seeks to advance ocean research on equity, with projects also in African countries. It has an extensive international network of partners and already an established position within the UN Decade for Ocean Science. It is leading the UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" that focuses on inter-disciplinary solutions-oriented research to advancing understanding of problems facing ocean-dependent communities (see: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/11/16_Ocean-Voices_Factsheet.pdf). Ocean Nexus expressed willingness to amplify the key messages and methods arising from the One Ocean Hub as original and innovative in the international ocean research landscape, as it shares the same ethos of the Hub to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts among different research projects. The One Ocean Hub has initially been asked to share expertise, findings, and approaches on human rights via the University of Strathclyde. Hub Director Elisa Morgera has been recognised as a Research Associate of Ocean Nexus (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/about/people/fellows/), which is described as: "The associates are passionate and open-mind to the critical perspectives and sincere to our goal to promote community voices and needs while maintaining academic rigor to continue the effort rather than providing one-stop tools or guidelines. Ocean Nexus honors those researchers who are pushing the boundary in research and recognize that ocean issues are equity/equality issues, and we must act reflexively on our past and current injustice and inequality for urgent changes in systemic and structural injustice." In May 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus co-organised a workshop on research co-development for the UN Decade for Ocean Science (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8S). The One Ocean Hub's contributions focused on: the process of co-developing the Hub's Code of Practice and learning from its implementation, and on innovative practices and arts-based approaches to transdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. Throughout 2022 Ocean Nexus also facilitated connections between: a postdoctoral researcher based at Ocean Nexus who is conducting research on human rights in fisheries in Ghana with the One Ocean Hub's Ghana team to explore collaboration on sustainable fisheries (see other entry under Collaborations); and Hub researchers working on blue economy with Ocean Nexus team who is working on UNEP Blue Economy Index, with a view to supporting Hub research to inform the development of the Index. In addition, as Ocean Nexus's focus region for blue economy research is the Caribbean, which aligns with the Hub's legacy in the same region, Ocean Nexus is interested to build upon the Hub's research findings and experience in conducting research on blue economy in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia to support jointly cross-regional learning. In 2023, Ocean Nexus has provided funding to the One Ocean Hub to advance the collaboration between the two organisations: they have funded Hub's early-career researcher Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) for a shared 1-year Postdoctoral Fellow starting in January 2024 (to be based at the One Ocean Hub) to focus on human rights of the children and ocean-related health issues. The funding provided by Ocean Nexus include salary and benefits for the Fellow (60-65,000 USD), research support (10-15,000 USD), institutional overhead (10% of the direct cost) and additional research support funding (up to 5,000 USD) to be allocated toward hiring student research assistants at the host institute (Nelson Mandela University) in support of the Fellow's work. In 2024, following confirmation from Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on 3 October 2023 of the Hub's appointment as a Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdisciplinary research, it is expected that other Hub research partners notably Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University and Plymouth University on arts-based approaches, research co-development, marine spatial planning and blue economy will be involved in the partnerships with Ocean Nexus. Ocean Nexus's Ocean Voices: Advancing equity through the UN Ocean Decade is a UN Decade endorsed programme (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/). The Hub and Ocean Nexus has planned to co-organise a seminar on innovative and equitable approaches to marine spatial planning for the UN Decade. The collaboration "Connecting efforts on equity in ocean science and governance internationally" has brough policy and public services impacts through its direct contributions in shaping UN Decade for Ocean Science practices in advancing equity in ocean governance that focuses on inter-and-trans- disciplinary solutions-oriented research. The series of two workshops on research co-development and marine plastics and the joint side-event for the UN Ocean Conference co-organised by the Hub, Ocean Nexus and other partners involved in this collaboration advanced the understanding of policy issues, methods, and best practices around ocean research co-development and science-policy interface. Both the Hub and Ocean Nexus have established positions within the UN Decade for Ocean Science with Ocean Nexus leading UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" and the Hub's role as the Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity. The collaboration has also delivered demonstrable societal impact as all the two joint workshops and the side-event for the UN Ocean Conference built capacity for over 220 environmental activists, lawyers, governments, regional and international organisations, students, researchers, and general public to advance understanding of the factors influencing the contribution of ocean science and critically identify barriers and enabling conditions for equity, fairness and justice in ocean science for sustainable development. The Ocean Nexus funded postdoctoral research also directly contributes to capacity building of one early-career researcher based in South Africa. |
| Impact | Publications: • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en Blogpost: One Ocean Hub, "Mia Strand becomes a research fellow at Ocean Nexus focusing on equity in ocean literacies and children's rights," 12 February 2024. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mia-strand-becomes-a-research-fellow-at-ocean-nexus-focusing-on-equity-in-ocean-literacies-and-childrens-rights/ Policy brief: Strand M, Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: 10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ Joint events: • The organisation of Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021. Reported under Engagement. See: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/ocean-litter/ • The organisation of a joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory." See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). • A joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, 28 June 2022. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/ and here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue Ocean Nexus and the Hub collaboration on marine plastics will produce publication(s) for a special edition with Marine Policy on this topic, and a joint programme of work for the UN Decade. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | CONNECTING EFFORTS ON EQUITY IN OCEAN SCIENCE AND GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Ocean Nexus is a research centre funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan that supports more inclusive ocean governance, so that it includes the voices of ocean communities. The partnership between Ocean Nexus and the Hub started in November 2021 at the initiative of Ocean Nexus, which invited the Hub to deliver a presentation on ocean plastics and human rights at a webinar for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on ocean plastics and equity ("The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021). This panel was presented by Ocean Voices, a UN Ocean Decade-endorsed action program within the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center. The panel provided an opportunity for the Hub to connect with other research projects and civil-society initiatives in other regions. It was then followed up in 2022 and 2023 by the co-development of a joint programme of work on ocean plastics and equity for the UN Decade. The preparatory conversation for the event led Ocean Nexus to identify other related areas of international collaboration with the Hub, in relation to the UN Decade in particular, on which to complement respective research and stakeholder engagements, in recognition of the unique contributions of the Hub on human rights and innovative transdisciplinary methodologies. The areas of future collaboration encompass: (1) research co-development, (2) human rights of the child, and (3) blue economy. In February 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus planned a joint seminar on research co-development (scheduled in May 2022) for the UN Decade for Ocean Science to showcase Hub research to: unveil the policy and legal dimension to co-development in research (legal obligations, including from a human rights perspective, on how to do research), highlight responsibility of donors to promote good practices and transformative ocean science through co-development; and advance understanding about complexities at local level in co-development of research (e.g. the importance of code of ethics, legal components in research to protect stakeholders, the need for meaningful engagement with stakeholder - not the usual 'stakeholder consultation'). The joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory" (See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). On 28 June 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus together with other partners including the University of Strathclyde, Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), World Wide Fund for Nature, Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) co-organised a joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the second UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. The event started with the screening of the Hub's film on Ghanaian women fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA) followed by a panel discussion on the contentious human rights issues surfacing as blue economy developments expand at scale (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was also invited to the Ocean Nexus' launching of a 4-month Marine Plastic Pollution (MPP) Roadmap Development Project in June 2022. Ocean Nexus was convening an international, multisector group of experts to co-develop between July and November 2022 a 10-year strategic plan to address this issue (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/equity-marine-plastic-pollution-report/). This partnership led Ocean Nexus to mobilise funding for a joint one-year postdoc with the Hub (University of Strathclyde and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) to further develop children's human rights and ocean literacy as part of the broader program on ocean equity. This provided an opportunity to continue work initiated under the Hub for a PhD student at Nelson Mandela University, Mia Strand. Mia Strand research explores cognitive justice and equity in ocean literacies and children's rights to a healthy ocean. Beyond crucial aspects to all life such as oxygen production, the water cycle, climate regulation, and global food production, a healthy ocean is fundamental to children's wellbeing across the globe, in securing a happy and healthy early years' experience and supporting the transition into adulthood, and their access to sociocultural aspects such as cultural heritage, Indigenous knowledge systems, play and traditions that are inextricably linked to a healthy ocean. However, ocean literacy efforts are often criticised for being didactic, positivistic and science-heavy, focusing on increasing people's (and specifically children's) knowledge of the biophysical aspects of marine ecosystems as understood from a largely Western academic standpoint (see Strand et al., 2023 available from https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml). UNESCO (2018, available from here: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260721) has even criticised their own approaches and ocean literacy toolkit, arguing that the work was absent of the voices of Indigenous and local knowledge systems, communities and people in the Global South. Working closely with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) as a partner organisation, Mia will investigate how ocean literacies efforts can better situate the experiences of children in specific contexts, and emphasise the embodied and place-based influence on children's priorities for, understandings of and interests in a healthy ocean. The research will centre arts-based research approaches such as storytelling, and reflect on ethics and equity in knowledge co-production processes such as transdisciplinarity and participatory approaches. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy. This collaboration include new partnerships with the following organisations: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: The Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, US; World Wide Fund for Nature, Italy; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Ocean Nexus seeks to advance ocean research on equity, with projects also in African countries. It has an extensive international network of partners and already an established position within the UN Decade for Ocean Science. It is leading the UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" that focuses on inter-disciplinary solutions-oriented research to advancing understanding of problems facing ocean-dependent communities (see: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/11/16_Ocean-Voices_Factsheet.pdf). Ocean Nexus expressed willingness to amplify the key messages and methods arising from the One Ocean Hub as original and innovative in the international ocean research landscape, as it shares the same ethos of the Hub to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts among different research projects. The One Ocean Hub has initially been asked to share expertise, findings, and approaches on human rights via the University of Strathclyde. Hub Director Elisa Morgera has been recognised as a Research Associate of Ocean Nexus (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/about/people/fellows/), which is described as: "The associates are passionate and open-mind to the critical perspectives and sincere to our goal to promote community voices and needs while maintaining academic rigor to continue the effort rather than providing one-stop tools or guidelines. Ocean Nexus honors those researchers who are pushing the boundary in research and recognize that ocean issues are equity/equality issues, and we must act reflexively on our past and current injustice and inequality for urgent changes in systemic and structural injustice." In May 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus co-organised a workshop on research co-development for the UN Decade for Ocean Science (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8S). The One Ocean Hub's contributions focused on: the process of co-developing the Hub's Code of Practice and learning from its implementation, and on innovative practices and arts-based approaches to transdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. Throughout 2022 Ocean Nexus also facilitated connections between: a postdoctoral researcher based at Ocean Nexus who is conducting research on human rights in fisheries in Ghana with the One Ocean Hub's Ghana team to explore collaboration on sustainable fisheries (see other entry under Collaborations); and Hub researchers working on blue economy with Ocean Nexus team who is working on UNEP Blue Economy Index, with a view to supporting Hub research to inform the development of the Index. In addition, as Ocean Nexus's focus region for blue economy research is the Caribbean, which aligns with the Hub's legacy in the same region, Ocean Nexus is interested to build upon the Hub's research findings and experience in conducting research on blue economy in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia to support jointly cross-regional learning. In 2023, Ocean Nexus has provided funding to the One Ocean Hub to advance the collaboration between the two organisations: they have funded Hub's early-career researcher Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) for a shared 1-year Postdoctoral Fellow starting in January 2024 (to be based at the One Ocean Hub) to focus on human rights of the children and ocean-related health issues. The funding provided by Ocean Nexus include salary and benefits for the Fellow (60-65,000 USD), research support (10-15,000 USD), institutional overhead (10% of the direct cost) and additional research support funding (up to 5,000 USD) to be allocated toward hiring student research assistants at the host institute (Nelson Mandela University) in support of the Fellow's work. In 2024, following confirmation from Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on 3 October 2023 of the Hub's appointment as a Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdisciplinary research, it is expected that other Hub research partners notably Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University and Plymouth University on arts-based approaches, research co-development, marine spatial planning and blue economy will be involved in the partnerships with Ocean Nexus. Ocean Nexus's Ocean Voices: Advancing equity through the UN Ocean Decade is a UN Decade endorsed programme (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/). The Hub and Ocean Nexus has planned to co-organise a seminar on innovative and equitable approaches to marine spatial planning for the UN Decade. The collaboration "Connecting efforts on equity in ocean science and governance internationally" has brough policy and public services impacts through its direct contributions in shaping UN Decade for Ocean Science practices in advancing equity in ocean governance that focuses on inter-and-trans- disciplinary solutions-oriented research. The series of two workshops on research co-development and marine plastics and the joint side-event for the UN Ocean Conference co-organised by the Hub, Ocean Nexus and other partners involved in this collaboration advanced the understanding of policy issues, methods, and best practices around ocean research co-development and science-policy interface. Both the Hub and Ocean Nexus have established positions within the UN Decade for Ocean Science with Ocean Nexus leading UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" and the Hub's role as the Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity. The collaboration has also delivered demonstrable societal impact as all the two joint workshops and the side-event for the UN Ocean Conference built capacity for over 220 environmental activists, lawyers, governments, regional and international organisations, students, researchers, and general public to advance understanding of the factors influencing the contribution of ocean science and critically identify barriers and enabling conditions for equity, fairness and justice in ocean science for sustainable development. The Ocean Nexus funded postdoctoral research also directly contributes to capacity building of one early-career researcher based in South Africa. |
| Impact | Publications: • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en Blogpost: One Ocean Hub, "Mia Strand becomes a research fellow at Ocean Nexus focusing on equity in ocean literacies and children's rights," 12 February 2024. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mia-strand-becomes-a-research-fellow-at-ocean-nexus-focusing-on-equity-in-ocean-literacies-and-childrens-rights/ Policy brief: Strand M, Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: 10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ Joint events: • The organisation of Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021. Reported under Engagement. See: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/ocean-litter/ • The organisation of a joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory." See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). • A joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, 28 June 2022. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/ and here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue Ocean Nexus and the Hub collaboration on marine plastics will produce publication(s) for a special edition with Marine Policy on this topic, and a joint programme of work for the UN Decade. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | CONNECTING EFFORTS ON EQUITY IN OCEAN SCIENCE AND GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | South African Environmental Observation Network |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Ocean Nexus is a research centre funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan that supports more inclusive ocean governance, so that it includes the voices of ocean communities. The partnership between Ocean Nexus and the Hub started in November 2021 at the initiative of Ocean Nexus, which invited the Hub to deliver a presentation on ocean plastics and human rights at a webinar for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on ocean plastics and equity ("The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021). This panel was presented by Ocean Voices, a UN Ocean Decade-endorsed action program within the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center. The panel provided an opportunity for the Hub to connect with other research projects and civil-society initiatives in other regions. It was then followed up in 2022 and 2023 by the co-development of a joint programme of work on ocean plastics and equity for the UN Decade. The preparatory conversation for the event led Ocean Nexus to identify other related areas of international collaboration with the Hub, in relation to the UN Decade in particular, on which to complement respective research and stakeholder engagements, in recognition of the unique contributions of the Hub on human rights and innovative transdisciplinary methodologies. The areas of future collaboration encompass: (1) research co-development, (2) human rights of the child, and (3) blue economy. In February 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus planned a joint seminar on research co-development (scheduled in May 2022) for the UN Decade for Ocean Science to showcase Hub research to: unveil the policy and legal dimension to co-development in research (legal obligations, including from a human rights perspective, on how to do research), highlight responsibility of donors to promote good practices and transformative ocean science through co-development; and advance understanding about complexities at local level in co-development of research (e.g. the importance of code of ethics, legal components in research to protect stakeholders, the need for meaningful engagement with stakeholder - not the usual 'stakeholder consultation'). The joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory" (See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). On 28 June 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus together with other partners including the University of Strathclyde, Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), World Wide Fund for Nature, Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) co-organised a joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the second UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. The event started with the screening of the Hub's film on Ghanaian women fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA) followed by a panel discussion on the contentious human rights issues surfacing as blue economy developments expand at scale (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was also invited to the Ocean Nexus' launching of a 4-month Marine Plastic Pollution (MPP) Roadmap Development Project in June 2022. Ocean Nexus was convening an international, multisector group of experts to co-develop between July and November 2022 a 10-year strategic plan to address this issue (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/equity-marine-plastic-pollution-report/). This partnership led Ocean Nexus to mobilise funding for a joint one-year postdoc with the Hub (University of Strathclyde and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) to further develop children's human rights and ocean literacy as part of the broader program on ocean equity. This provided an opportunity to continue work initiated under the Hub for a PhD student at Nelson Mandela University, Mia Strand. Mia Strand research explores cognitive justice and equity in ocean literacies and children's rights to a healthy ocean. Beyond crucial aspects to all life such as oxygen production, the water cycle, climate regulation, and global food production, a healthy ocean is fundamental to children's wellbeing across the globe, in securing a happy and healthy early years' experience and supporting the transition into adulthood, and their access to sociocultural aspects such as cultural heritage, Indigenous knowledge systems, play and traditions that are inextricably linked to a healthy ocean. However, ocean literacy efforts are often criticised for being didactic, positivistic and science-heavy, focusing on increasing people's (and specifically children's) knowledge of the biophysical aspects of marine ecosystems as understood from a largely Western academic standpoint (see Strand et al., 2023 available from https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml). UNESCO (2018, available from here: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260721) has even criticised their own approaches and ocean literacy toolkit, arguing that the work was absent of the voices of Indigenous and local knowledge systems, communities and people in the Global South. Working closely with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) as a partner organisation, Mia will investigate how ocean literacies efforts can better situate the experiences of children in specific contexts, and emphasise the embodied and place-based influence on children's priorities for, understandings of and interests in a healthy ocean. The research will centre arts-based research approaches such as storytelling, and reflect on ethics and equity in knowledge co-production processes such as transdisciplinarity and participatory approaches. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy. This collaboration include new partnerships with the following organisations: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: The Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, US; World Wide Fund for Nature, Italy; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Ocean Nexus seeks to advance ocean research on equity, with projects also in African countries. It has an extensive international network of partners and already an established position within the UN Decade for Ocean Science. It is leading the UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" that focuses on inter-disciplinary solutions-oriented research to advancing understanding of problems facing ocean-dependent communities (see: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/11/16_Ocean-Voices_Factsheet.pdf). Ocean Nexus expressed willingness to amplify the key messages and methods arising from the One Ocean Hub as original and innovative in the international ocean research landscape, as it shares the same ethos of the Hub to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts among different research projects. The One Ocean Hub has initially been asked to share expertise, findings, and approaches on human rights via the University of Strathclyde. Hub Director Elisa Morgera has been recognised as a Research Associate of Ocean Nexus (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/about/people/fellows/), which is described as: "The associates are passionate and open-mind to the critical perspectives and sincere to our goal to promote community voices and needs while maintaining academic rigor to continue the effort rather than providing one-stop tools or guidelines. Ocean Nexus honors those researchers who are pushing the boundary in research and recognize that ocean issues are equity/equality issues, and we must act reflexively on our past and current injustice and inequality for urgent changes in systemic and structural injustice." In May 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus co-organised a workshop on research co-development for the UN Decade for Ocean Science (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8S). The One Ocean Hub's contributions focused on: the process of co-developing the Hub's Code of Practice and learning from its implementation, and on innovative practices and arts-based approaches to transdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. Throughout 2022 Ocean Nexus also facilitated connections between: a postdoctoral researcher based at Ocean Nexus who is conducting research on human rights in fisheries in Ghana with the One Ocean Hub's Ghana team to explore collaboration on sustainable fisheries (see other entry under Collaborations); and Hub researchers working on blue economy with Ocean Nexus team who is working on UNEP Blue Economy Index, with a view to supporting Hub research to inform the development of the Index. In addition, as Ocean Nexus's focus region for blue economy research is the Caribbean, which aligns with the Hub's legacy in the same region, Ocean Nexus is interested to build upon the Hub's research findings and experience in conducting research on blue economy in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia to support jointly cross-regional learning. In 2023, Ocean Nexus has provided funding to the One Ocean Hub to advance the collaboration between the two organisations: they have funded Hub's early-career researcher Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) for a shared 1-year Postdoctoral Fellow starting in January 2024 (to be based at the One Ocean Hub) to focus on human rights of the children and ocean-related health issues. The funding provided by Ocean Nexus include salary and benefits for the Fellow (60-65,000 USD), research support (10-15,000 USD), institutional overhead (10% of the direct cost) and additional research support funding (up to 5,000 USD) to be allocated toward hiring student research assistants at the host institute (Nelson Mandela University) in support of the Fellow's work. In 2024, following confirmation from Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on 3 October 2023 of the Hub's appointment as a Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdisciplinary research, it is expected that other Hub research partners notably Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University and Plymouth University on arts-based approaches, research co-development, marine spatial planning and blue economy will be involved in the partnerships with Ocean Nexus. Ocean Nexus's Ocean Voices: Advancing equity through the UN Ocean Decade is a UN Decade endorsed programme (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/). The Hub and Ocean Nexus has planned to co-organise a seminar on innovative and equitable approaches to marine spatial planning for the UN Decade. The collaboration "Connecting efforts on equity in ocean science and governance internationally" has brough policy and public services impacts through its direct contributions in shaping UN Decade for Ocean Science practices in advancing equity in ocean governance that focuses on inter-and-trans- disciplinary solutions-oriented research. The series of two workshops on research co-development and marine plastics and the joint side-event for the UN Ocean Conference co-organised by the Hub, Ocean Nexus and other partners involved in this collaboration advanced the understanding of policy issues, methods, and best practices around ocean research co-development and science-policy interface. Both the Hub and Ocean Nexus have established positions within the UN Decade for Ocean Science with Ocean Nexus leading UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" and the Hub's role as the Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity. The collaboration has also delivered demonstrable societal impact as all the two joint workshops and the side-event for the UN Ocean Conference built capacity for over 220 environmental activists, lawyers, governments, regional and international organisations, students, researchers, and general public to advance understanding of the factors influencing the contribution of ocean science and critically identify barriers and enabling conditions for equity, fairness and justice in ocean science for sustainable development. The Ocean Nexus funded postdoctoral research also directly contributes to capacity building of one early-career researcher based in South Africa. |
| Impact | Publications: • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en Blogpost: One Ocean Hub, "Mia Strand becomes a research fellow at Ocean Nexus focusing on equity in ocean literacies and children's rights," 12 February 2024. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mia-strand-becomes-a-research-fellow-at-ocean-nexus-focusing-on-equity-in-ocean-literacies-and-childrens-rights/ Policy brief: Strand M, Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: 10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ Joint events: • The organisation of Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021. Reported under Engagement. See: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/ocean-litter/ • The organisation of a joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory." See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). • A joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, 28 June 2022. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/ and here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue Ocean Nexus and the Hub collaboration on marine plastics will produce publication(s) for a special edition with Marine Policy on this topic, and a joint programme of work for the UN Decade. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | CONNECTING EFFORTS ON EQUITY IN OCEAN SCIENCE AND GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Ocean Nexus is a research centre funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan that supports more inclusive ocean governance, so that it includes the voices of ocean communities. The partnership between Ocean Nexus and the Hub started in November 2021 at the initiative of Ocean Nexus, which invited the Hub to deliver a presentation on ocean plastics and human rights at a webinar for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on ocean plastics and equity ("The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021). This panel was presented by Ocean Voices, a UN Ocean Decade-endorsed action program within the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center. The panel provided an opportunity for the Hub to connect with other research projects and civil-society initiatives in other regions. It was then followed up in 2022 and 2023 by the co-development of a joint programme of work on ocean plastics and equity for the UN Decade. The preparatory conversation for the event led Ocean Nexus to identify other related areas of international collaboration with the Hub, in relation to the UN Decade in particular, on which to complement respective research and stakeholder engagements, in recognition of the unique contributions of the Hub on human rights and innovative transdisciplinary methodologies. The areas of future collaboration encompass: (1) research co-development, (2) human rights of the child, and (3) blue economy. In February 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus planned a joint seminar on research co-development (scheduled in May 2022) for the UN Decade for Ocean Science to showcase Hub research to: unveil the policy and legal dimension to co-development in research (legal obligations, including from a human rights perspective, on how to do research), highlight responsibility of donors to promote good practices and transformative ocean science through co-development; and advance understanding about complexities at local level in co-development of research (e.g. the importance of code of ethics, legal components in research to protect stakeholders, the need for meaningful engagement with stakeholder - not the usual 'stakeholder consultation'). The joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory" (See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). On 28 June 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus together with other partners including the University of Strathclyde, Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), World Wide Fund for Nature, Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) co-organised a joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the second UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. The event started with the screening of the Hub's film on Ghanaian women fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA) followed by a panel discussion on the contentious human rights issues surfacing as blue economy developments expand at scale (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was also invited to the Ocean Nexus' launching of a 4-month Marine Plastic Pollution (MPP) Roadmap Development Project in June 2022. Ocean Nexus was convening an international, multisector group of experts to co-develop between July and November 2022 a 10-year strategic plan to address this issue (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/equity-marine-plastic-pollution-report/). This partnership led Ocean Nexus to mobilise funding for a joint one-year postdoc with the Hub (University of Strathclyde and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) to further develop children's human rights and ocean literacy as part of the broader program on ocean equity. This provided an opportunity to continue work initiated under the Hub for a PhD student at Nelson Mandela University, Mia Strand. Mia Strand research explores cognitive justice and equity in ocean literacies and children's rights to a healthy ocean. Beyond crucial aspects to all life such as oxygen production, the water cycle, climate regulation, and global food production, a healthy ocean is fundamental to children's wellbeing across the globe, in securing a happy and healthy early years' experience and supporting the transition into adulthood, and their access to sociocultural aspects such as cultural heritage, Indigenous knowledge systems, play and traditions that are inextricably linked to a healthy ocean. However, ocean literacy efforts are often criticised for being didactic, positivistic and science-heavy, focusing on increasing people's (and specifically children's) knowledge of the biophysical aspects of marine ecosystems as understood from a largely Western academic standpoint (see Strand et al., 2023 available from https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml). UNESCO (2018, available from here: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260721) has even criticised their own approaches and ocean literacy toolkit, arguing that the work was absent of the voices of Indigenous and local knowledge systems, communities and people in the Global South. Working closely with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) as a partner organisation, Mia will investigate how ocean literacies efforts can better situate the experiences of children in specific contexts, and emphasise the embodied and place-based influence on children's priorities for, understandings of and interests in a healthy ocean. The research will centre arts-based research approaches such as storytelling, and reflect on ethics and equity in knowledge co-production processes such as transdisciplinarity and participatory approaches. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy. This collaboration include new partnerships with the following organisations: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: The Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, US; World Wide Fund for Nature, Italy; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Ocean Nexus seeks to advance ocean research on equity, with projects also in African countries. It has an extensive international network of partners and already an established position within the UN Decade for Ocean Science. It is leading the UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" that focuses on inter-disciplinary solutions-oriented research to advancing understanding of problems facing ocean-dependent communities (see: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/11/16_Ocean-Voices_Factsheet.pdf). Ocean Nexus expressed willingness to amplify the key messages and methods arising from the One Ocean Hub as original and innovative in the international ocean research landscape, as it shares the same ethos of the Hub to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts among different research projects. The One Ocean Hub has initially been asked to share expertise, findings, and approaches on human rights via the University of Strathclyde. Hub Director Elisa Morgera has been recognised as a Research Associate of Ocean Nexus (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/about/people/fellows/), which is described as: "The associates are passionate and open-mind to the critical perspectives and sincere to our goal to promote community voices and needs while maintaining academic rigor to continue the effort rather than providing one-stop tools or guidelines. Ocean Nexus honors those researchers who are pushing the boundary in research and recognize that ocean issues are equity/equality issues, and we must act reflexively on our past and current injustice and inequality for urgent changes in systemic and structural injustice." In May 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus co-organised a workshop on research co-development for the UN Decade for Ocean Science (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8S). The One Ocean Hub's contributions focused on: the process of co-developing the Hub's Code of Practice and learning from its implementation, and on innovative practices and arts-based approaches to transdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. Throughout 2022 Ocean Nexus also facilitated connections between: a postdoctoral researcher based at Ocean Nexus who is conducting research on human rights in fisheries in Ghana with the One Ocean Hub's Ghana team to explore collaboration on sustainable fisheries (see other entry under Collaborations); and Hub researchers working on blue economy with Ocean Nexus team who is working on UNEP Blue Economy Index, with a view to supporting Hub research to inform the development of the Index. In addition, as Ocean Nexus's focus region for blue economy research is the Caribbean, which aligns with the Hub's legacy in the same region, Ocean Nexus is interested to build upon the Hub's research findings and experience in conducting research on blue economy in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia to support jointly cross-regional learning. In 2023, Ocean Nexus has provided funding to the One Ocean Hub to advance the collaboration between the two organisations: they have funded Hub's early-career researcher Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) for a shared 1-year Postdoctoral Fellow starting in January 2024 (to be based at the One Ocean Hub) to focus on human rights of the children and ocean-related health issues. The funding provided by Ocean Nexus include salary and benefits for the Fellow (60-65,000 USD), research support (10-15,000 USD), institutional overhead (10% of the direct cost) and additional research support funding (up to 5,000 USD) to be allocated toward hiring student research assistants at the host institute (Nelson Mandela University) in support of the Fellow's work. In 2024, following confirmation from Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on 3 October 2023 of the Hub's appointment as a Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdisciplinary research, it is expected that other Hub research partners notably Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University and Plymouth University on arts-based approaches, research co-development, marine spatial planning and blue economy will be involved in the partnerships with Ocean Nexus. Ocean Nexus's Ocean Voices: Advancing equity through the UN Ocean Decade is a UN Decade endorsed programme (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/). The Hub and Ocean Nexus has planned to co-organise a seminar on innovative and equitable approaches to marine spatial planning for the UN Decade. The collaboration "Connecting efforts on equity in ocean science and governance internationally" has brough policy and public services impacts through its direct contributions in shaping UN Decade for Ocean Science practices in advancing equity in ocean governance that focuses on inter-and-trans- disciplinary solutions-oriented research. The series of two workshops on research co-development and marine plastics and the joint side-event for the UN Ocean Conference co-organised by the Hub, Ocean Nexus and other partners involved in this collaboration advanced the understanding of policy issues, methods, and best practices around ocean research co-development and science-policy interface. Both the Hub and Ocean Nexus have established positions within the UN Decade for Ocean Science with Ocean Nexus leading UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" and the Hub's role as the Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity. The collaboration has also delivered demonstrable societal impact as all the two joint workshops and the side-event for the UN Ocean Conference built capacity for over 220 environmental activists, lawyers, governments, regional and international organisations, students, researchers, and general public to advance understanding of the factors influencing the contribution of ocean science and critically identify barriers and enabling conditions for equity, fairness and justice in ocean science for sustainable development. The Ocean Nexus funded postdoctoral research also directly contributes to capacity building of one early-career researcher based in South Africa. |
| Impact | Publications: • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en Blogpost: One Ocean Hub, "Mia Strand becomes a research fellow at Ocean Nexus focusing on equity in ocean literacies and children's rights," 12 February 2024. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mia-strand-becomes-a-research-fellow-at-ocean-nexus-focusing-on-equity-in-ocean-literacies-and-childrens-rights/ Policy brief: Strand M, Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: 10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ Joint events: • The organisation of Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021. Reported under Engagement. See: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/ocean-litter/ • The organisation of a joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory." See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). • A joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, 28 June 2022. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/ and here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue Ocean Nexus and the Hub collaboration on marine plastics will produce publication(s) for a special edition with Marine Policy on this topic, and a joint programme of work for the UN Decade. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | CONNECTING EFFORTS ON EQUITY IN OCEAN SCIENCE AND GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | World Wide Fund for Nature |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Ocean Nexus is a research centre funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan that supports more inclusive ocean governance, so that it includes the voices of ocean communities. The partnership between Ocean Nexus and the Hub started in November 2021 at the initiative of Ocean Nexus, which invited the Hub to deliver a presentation on ocean plastics and human rights at a webinar for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on ocean plastics and equity ("The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021). This panel was presented by Ocean Voices, a UN Ocean Decade-endorsed action program within the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center. The panel provided an opportunity for the Hub to connect with other research projects and civil-society initiatives in other regions. It was then followed up in 2022 and 2023 by the co-development of a joint programme of work on ocean plastics and equity for the UN Decade. The preparatory conversation for the event led Ocean Nexus to identify other related areas of international collaboration with the Hub, in relation to the UN Decade in particular, on which to complement respective research and stakeholder engagements, in recognition of the unique contributions of the Hub on human rights and innovative transdisciplinary methodologies. The areas of future collaboration encompass: (1) research co-development, (2) human rights of the child, and (3) blue economy. In February 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus planned a joint seminar on research co-development (scheduled in May 2022) for the UN Decade for Ocean Science to showcase Hub research to: unveil the policy and legal dimension to co-development in research (legal obligations, including from a human rights perspective, on how to do research), highlight responsibility of donors to promote good practices and transformative ocean science through co-development; and advance understanding about complexities at local level in co-development of research (e.g. the importance of code of ethics, legal components in research to protect stakeholders, the need for meaningful engagement with stakeholder - not the usual 'stakeholder consultation'). The joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory" (See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). On 28 June 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus together with other partners including the University of Strathclyde, Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), World Wide Fund for Nature, Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) co-organised a joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the second UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. The event started with the screening of the Hub's film on Ghanaian women fishers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA) followed by a panel discussion on the contentious human rights issues surfacing as blue economy developments expand at scale (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was also invited to the Ocean Nexus' launching of a 4-month Marine Plastic Pollution (MPP) Roadmap Development Project in June 2022. Ocean Nexus was convening an international, multisector group of experts to co-develop between July and November 2022 a 10-year strategic plan to address this issue (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/equity-marine-plastic-pollution-report/). This partnership led Ocean Nexus to mobilise funding for a joint one-year postdoc with the Hub (University of Strathclyde and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) to further develop children's human rights and ocean literacy as part of the broader program on ocean equity. This provided an opportunity to continue work initiated under the Hub for a PhD student at Nelson Mandela University, Mia Strand. Mia Strand research explores cognitive justice and equity in ocean literacies and children's rights to a healthy ocean. Beyond crucial aspects to all life such as oxygen production, the water cycle, climate regulation, and global food production, a healthy ocean is fundamental to children's wellbeing across the globe, in securing a happy and healthy early years' experience and supporting the transition into adulthood, and their access to sociocultural aspects such as cultural heritage, Indigenous knowledge systems, play and traditions that are inextricably linked to a healthy ocean. However, ocean literacy efforts are often criticised for being didactic, positivistic and science-heavy, focusing on increasing people's (and specifically children's) knowledge of the biophysical aspects of marine ecosystems as understood from a largely Western academic standpoint (see Strand et al., 2023 available from https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml). UNESCO (2018, available from here: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260721) has even criticised their own approaches and ocean literacy toolkit, arguing that the work was absent of the voices of Indigenous and local knowledge systems, communities and people in the Global South. Working closely with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) as a partner organisation, Mia will investigate how ocean literacies efforts can better situate the experiences of children in specific contexts, and emphasise the embodied and place-based influence on children's priorities for, understandings of and interests in a healthy ocean. The research will centre arts-based research approaches such as storytelling, and reflect on ethics and equity in knowledge co-production processes such as transdisciplinarity and participatory approaches. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy. This collaboration include new partnerships with the following organisations: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: The Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, US; World Wide Fund for Nature, Italy; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Ocean Nexus seeks to advance ocean research on equity, with projects also in African countries. It has an extensive international network of partners and already an established position within the UN Decade for Ocean Science. It is leading the UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" that focuses on inter-disciplinary solutions-oriented research to advancing understanding of problems facing ocean-dependent communities (see: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/11/16_Ocean-Voices_Factsheet.pdf). Ocean Nexus expressed willingness to amplify the key messages and methods arising from the One Ocean Hub as original and innovative in the international ocean research landscape, as it shares the same ethos of the Hub to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts among different research projects. The One Ocean Hub has initially been asked to share expertise, findings, and approaches on human rights via the University of Strathclyde. Hub Director Elisa Morgera has been recognised as a Research Associate of Ocean Nexus (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/about/people/fellows/), which is described as: "The associates are passionate and open-mind to the critical perspectives and sincere to our goal to promote community voices and needs while maintaining academic rigor to continue the effort rather than providing one-stop tools or guidelines. Ocean Nexus honors those researchers who are pushing the boundary in research and recognize that ocean issues are equity/equality issues, and we must act reflexively on our past and current injustice and inequality for urgent changes in systemic and structural injustice." In May 2022, the Hub and Ocean Nexus co-organised a workshop on research co-development for the UN Decade for Ocean Science (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8S). The One Ocean Hub's contributions focused on: the process of co-developing the Hub's Code of Practice and learning from its implementation, and on innovative practices and arts-based approaches to transdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. Throughout 2022 Ocean Nexus also facilitated connections between: a postdoctoral researcher based at Ocean Nexus who is conducting research on human rights in fisheries in Ghana with the One Ocean Hub's Ghana team to explore collaboration on sustainable fisheries (see other entry under Collaborations); and Hub researchers working on blue economy with Ocean Nexus team who is working on UNEP Blue Economy Index, with a view to supporting Hub research to inform the development of the Index. In addition, as Ocean Nexus's focus region for blue economy research is the Caribbean, which aligns with the Hub's legacy in the same region, Ocean Nexus is interested to build upon the Hub's research findings and experience in conducting research on blue economy in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia to support jointly cross-regional learning. In 2023, Ocean Nexus has provided funding to the One Ocean Hub to advance the collaboration between the two organisations: they have funded Hub's early-career researcher Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) for a shared 1-year Postdoctoral Fellow starting in January 2024 (to be based at the One Ocean Hub) to focus on human rights of the children and ocean-related health issues. The funding provided by Ocean Nexus include salary and benefits for the Fellow (60-65,000 USD), research support (10-15,000 USD), institutional overhead (10% of the direct cost) and additional research support funding (up to 5,000 USD) to be allocated toward hiring student research assistants at the host institute (Nelson Mandela University) in support of the Fellow's work. In 2024, following confirmation from Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on 3 October 2023 of the Hub's appointment as a Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdisciplinary research, it is expected that other Hub research partners notably Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University and Plymouth University on arts-based approaches, research co-development, marine spatial planning and blue economy will be involved in the partnerships with Ocean Nexus. Ocean Nexus's Ocean Voices: Advancing equity through the UN Ocean Decade is a UN Decade endorsed programme (https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/). The Hub and Ocean Nexus has planned to co-organise a seminar on innovative and equitable approaches to marine spatial planning for the UN Decade. The collaboration "Connecting efforts on equity in ocean science and governance internationally" has brough policy and public services impacts through its direct contributions in shaping UN Decade for Ocean Science practices in advancing equity in ocean governance that focuses on inter-and-trans- disciplinary solutions-oriented research. The series of two workshops on research co-development and marine plastics and the joint side-event for the UN Ocean Conference co-organised by the Hub, Ocean Nexus and other partners involved in this collaboration advanced the understanding of policy issues, methods, and best practices around ocean research co-development and science-policy interface. Both the Hub and Ocean Nexus have established positions within the UN Decade for Ocean Science with Ocean Nexus leading UN Decade Programme "Ocean Voices - Advancing equity through the Decade" and the Hub's role as the Decade Implementing Partner focusing on transdiciplinarity. The collaboration has also delivered demonstrable societal impact as all the two joint workshops and the side-event for the UN Ocean Conference built capacity for over 220 environmental activists, lawyers, governments, regional and international organisations, students, researchers, and general public to advance understanding of the factors influencing the contribution of ocean science and critically identify barriers and enabling conditions for equity, fairness and justice in ocean science for sustainable development. The Ocean Nexus funded postdoctoral research also directly contributes to capacity building of one early-career researcher based in South Africa. |
| Impact | Publications: • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en Blogpost: One Ocean Hub, "Mia Strand becomes a research fellow at Ocean Nexus focusing on equity in ocean literacies and children's rights," 12 February 2024. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mia-strand-becomes-a-research-fellow-at-ocean-nexus-focusing-on-equity-in-ocean-literacies-and-childrens-rights/ Policy brief: Strand M, Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: 10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ Joint events: • The organisation of Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021. Reported under Engagement. See: https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/ocean-litter/ • The organisation of a joint seminar "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes," was held on 11 May 2022 as part of the Ocean Voices program in the Decade "Ocean Decade Laboratory." See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7bVwvQ8So). • A joint side-event titled "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies" at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, 28 June 2022. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/ and here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue Ocean Nexus and the Hub collaboration on marine plastics will produce publication(s) for a special edition with Marine Policy on this topic, and a joint programme of work for the UN Decade. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | Environmental Justice Foundation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | University of Namibia |
| Country | Namibia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE OCEAN |
| Organisation | University of the West Indies |
| Country | Barbados |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The "Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea" Research Network formed in 2020 as a means to bring together One Ocean Hub researchers and collaborators interested in customary laws within an ocean governance context. The Network has included researchers working across multiple Hub research programmes and country-specific programmes who are based in Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Namibia, Scotland, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. Their disciplinary backgrounds include anthropology, education, environmental and geographical science, history, law, political economy, and sociology. A number of themes have emerged from discussions within this group, particularly: legal pluralism and the status of customary laws within national, regional, and international legal systems; the ongoing legacies of attempts to codify, manipulate, or construct customary laws within non-customary legal structures; the problems and opportunities of recognition; the disconnect between customary laws on the ground and on the books; the relationality of customary laws; and the challenges and opportunities of researcher-community partnerships focused on customary law issues. These themes were explored in 2020-2021 in webinars for World Oceans Week and capacity-building events in partnership with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (see separate entry under Collaborations). In 2021, the Network collaborated to produce The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage. The book deconstructs hegemonic values attached to the oceans and the role of national governments in advancing inclusive and transformative ocean governance. It begins with key inputs from global ocean scholars on oceans in human evolution, the place of islands and coasts in human imagination and how humanities and heritage scholarship has engaged with the oceanic identities. The handbook offers a nuanced, region relevant, contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage, discussing what will be required to achieve an inclusive oceans economy by 2063, the end goal date of the African Union's Agenda 2063. The analysis will be useful to established academics in the field of ocean studies, policymakers and practitioners engaged in research on the ocean economy, as well as graduate scholars in the ocean sciences. The book is in Press and will be published in 2022. In 2022, the Network conducted a series of two workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The first workshop titled "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene" was organised on 6 May 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible and intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop was convened by Hub early career researcher, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and featured two presentations from Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa and Balertey Gormey, H?n Mpoano, Ghana. The event recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. Summary of key messages discussed during the first webinar is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. The second workshop in the series "Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific" was held on 22nd September 2022. This workshop featured three presentations by Hub early career researcher, Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands); Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu); and Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. The event recording is available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. These two workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). In 2022, South African members of the Network co-developed a new Empatheatre play titled "Umkhosi Wenala" (is Zulu for "Festival of Abundance"), which aims to create an innovative participatory decision-making space where rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of MPAs that exclude cultural, spiritual and other local perspectives, concerns and questions. The play was co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region and addresses in more details questions related to customary laws, including customary fishing approaches and customary governance structures, building on decades of research by Hub researchers Philile Mbatha. The play is now to be toured nationally, with a view to supporting public debates on the inclusive and integrated creation and management of marine protected areas and the co-development of an " MPA Charter" to influence future policy and practice in this area. On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. Hub researchers have identified the need for comparative reflections on the current status of customary laws in ocean governance, and have agreed on the structure of a joint, comparative synthesis paper to be completed in 2024. Four internal, virtual write-shops were held later in 2023 to develop the comparative paper, which is currently in a stage of finalisation. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; University of the West Indies, Barbados. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK. • UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Environmental Justice Foundation, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Vanuatu; Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, Fiji. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partnership has brought together a new inter-disciplinary network within the Hub, connecting research across disciplines, scales, and country-focus. This includes connecting early career researchers interested in the themes of customary law and (in)tangible heritage, including seventeen early career researchers based at universities in the Caribbean, Ghana, Scotland, South Africa, and the South Pacific. This partnership has contributed to knowledge sharing and partnerships across different country-focused research as well as connecting country-specific research to international-focused research via the Hub's International Impact Working Group. This has ensured that customary laws and (in)tangible heritage is fully integrated into conversations across the Hub at all levels. The collaboration has led to three webinars. The first, for UN World Oceans Week 2020, was titled "Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation" (11 June 2020) and brought together three scholars examining the impacts and legacies of colonisation and decolonisation on the customs and rights of coastal communities in three case studies across Australia, the Pacific Northwest (the US), and South Africa, and the role that the law plays in the development and dismantling of colonial institutions that continue to have an impact on ocean governance. The second webinar "Domestic Customary Law and Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches" (28 September 2020) was organised as a session for UNDOALOS Nippon Fellow Network. This webinar focused on an introduction to domestic customary laws of the coast and sea within the context of ocean governance. This included eight speakers-a mixture of One Ocean Hub researchers and Nippon Fellow Alumni-who provided their perspectives on this issue across distinctive disciplinary (including law, political ecology, anthropology, and history) and regional (including Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji) contexts. The third webinar, for UN World Oceans Week 2021, was titled "Canoe Culture & Heritage in Ghana" (9 June 2021), which brought together Hub researchers from Strathclyde, Cape Coast, and Nelson Mandela Universities to examine canoe culture as a representation of adaptive maritime cultures, which have been altered and transformed to not only weather social, economic, and technological shifts but also to absorb and thrive over periods of change. The panel discussed that these vessels, which connect marine and terrestrial spaces in coastal Ghana, are an inherent part of the customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of the coast and sea. The Network's work on The Palgrave Handbook on Blue Heritage involved collaboration with more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, US, Seychelles and Goa, India. The editing of the book was a novel inter-disciplinary collaboration between Hub researchers, Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), anthropology, and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji), ocean policy. The individual chapters also brought together Hub researchers that hadn't published together before, from different disciplines: Dr Bola Erinosho (Cape Coast University), Anthea (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) from law, Dr Jackie Sunde (Cape Town University) from fisheries policy, and Dr Laura Major, Dr Saskia Vermeylen (Strathclyde University) from anthropology offered a detailed analysis on the challenges of integrating customary law and ocean governance, drawing on key case law in South Africa and Ghana. Dr David Wilson (Strathclyde University, history), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, and Dr John Ansah (Cape Coast University, sociology) provided detailed analysis on the narratives of non-compliance in Tuesday non-fishing day in Ghana. Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, environmental science) with Kevin Chand (Blue Ocean Law, law), Dr Mimi George (Holau Vaka Taumako Association, anthropology), Elise Huffer (University of South Pacific, cultural economics), Dr Jale Samuwai (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resilience financing analyst) Dr Kati Soapi (Pacific Community, marine science) and Dr Anita Smith (the Australian delegation on the World Heritage Committee, archaeology) on blue heritages in the Pacific, including indigenous epistemology among seafarers in the region. Dr Jessica Thornton (Nelson Mandela University, anthropology) and Dr Ryan Pillay (Nelson Mandela University, arts & culture), offered a chapter on the consequences of the marine protected area for vulnerable communities and indigenes in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, educational sociologist), Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, urban sociologist), Dr Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, environmental science) and Neil Coppen's (writer, director) chapter examined the role of narrative and theatre in storytelling and coastal justice. They offered a sensitive account of the role of Empatheatre in sharing human emotional experience of the sea. In addition, other parts of the book advanced international collaboration with authors and researchers beyond the Hub. The collaborators included: George Abungu, UNESCO cultural specialist and former director of The National Museum of Kenya, David O'Kane Max Planck Institute Germany who wrote on ocean policy in Sierra Leone, Marian de Haan scholar from Zanzibar, Anezia Asse archaeologist from Mozambique, Godfrey Baldacchino island specialist and professor at Malta University, Penda Choppy Seychelles University, Lynn Harris historian, University of North Carolina, Curtis Marean palaeontologist at the State University of Arizona, Pedro Pombo anthropologist Goa University and Isabel Hofmeyr Emeritus professor Witwatersrand University and Charne Lavery, UCT both of whom wrote on oceanic humanities and the place of heritage in this narrative. In 2022, the Network consolidated further external partnerships, notably with international NGOs and indigenous peoples' networks, through the workshop series that was included in the Hub's join programme with FAO and High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The workshop series were co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with Hen Mpoano, Ghana; Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network. The seminar series encompassed two half-day sessions, focused on exploring customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within the context of ocean governance and, particularly, within the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning. The first workshop in May 2022 focused scene-setting and baseline setting, inviting collaborators and Hub researchers to share their perspectives on these issues with insight from specific contexts/ ongoing research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU). This session focused on discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding these issues. Drawing from the discussion of the first workshop and an envisioned focus on consultation, human rights, boundaries, and capacity building, the second workshop in September 2022 covered recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, on customary law and ocean governance. The workshop series were aimed to push for the need to centre customary laws and (in)tangible heritage of coastal communities within ocean governance processes by connecting the developing research on this theme within the Hub with our partners. In March 2022, the Network organised a conference on African maritime history, "Charting African Waterscapes: A Conference on African Maritime History Across Time and Space." This was the first conference dedicated to this theme in the past decade. While this conference brought together scholars working on diverse aspects of African maritime history across chronological, geographical, and thematic barriers, it remained rooted in the issues of colonialism, law, and (in)tangible heritage that have become central to discussions within the Network. Contributors to this conference were drawn from researchers working in universities across Africa, China, Europe, and the United States. As a result of this conference an edited volume exploring the most recent developments in the field of African maritime history will be produced. This is an essential contribution to any understanding of maritime governance in Africa given that the last volume that explore this theme was published in 2009. In February 2023, the Network held a workshop at the University of Namibia to explore the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. As a follow up from this workshop, in June 2024, the Network is organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, that focuses on women in small-scale fisheries management. This workshop is centred on bringing together in person - for the first time - key knowledge holders from across the small-scale fishing communities that Hub researchers have been collaborating with in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa. Focusing on women, whose voices continue to be underrepresented in both national and international dialogue, this workshop will enable three days of focused peer-to-peer dialogue and knowledge exchange. This will be facilitated by Hub researchers from each country team who have been working closely with women fisheries participants from different communities throughout each country. Prior to the workshop, and once the stakeholders have been confirmed in dialogue with the interested communities, there will be a series of pre-workshop sessions in order to co-design the workshop agenda with communities this cross-exchange is set to benefit, and the specific women involved. This is to ensure that the workshop fits with their particular areas of interest and the topics that they would like to share or learn more from within the broader context of small-scale fisheries management in Africa. This will include areas where women have been successful in shaping or leading on fisheries management as well as the challenges and issues that they face or have faced in the past. The workshop is entirely designed around this peer-to-peer learning, in which the researchers involved are there solely to facilitate the dialogue between the community participants. In taking this approach, the Hub researchers involved are determined that the workshop will be as beneficial and valuable to the participating knowledge holders as possible, thereby creating a unique and potentially empowering space that we envision could form the basis of a network of women leaders in the context of African small-scale fisheries. This collaboration has brought notable international impacts on UN advisory tools on fisheries governance. Drawing from Hub's research on customary law, researchers involved in this Network also co-developed high-level outputs with FAO. These include (1) FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/); (2) FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_); (3) the first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights framework to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en); and (4) SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub that supports the implementation of the SSF Guidelines (https://ssflex.fao.org/). This is reported under a separate entry "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." This collaboration demonstrated notable positive societal impacts. A total of 11 events organised as part of this collaboration has provided capacity building to 594 persons on the importance of the recognition of customary law in the context of natural resource management. The events organised under this collaboration on average were attended by over 50 per cent women attendees. The Network consists of 28 researchers in total. Women researchers account for 64 per cent of researchers involved (18 persons). As mentioned above in June 2024 the Network will be organising a workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana that will specifically focus on women in small-scale fisheries management. Disciplines involved: history, marine science, law, sociology, anthropology. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes Peer-reviewed journal articles Golo HK, Ibrahim S, Erinosho B. (2022). "Integrating communities' customary laws into marine small-scale fisheries governance in Ghana: Reflections on the FAO Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. Available from https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12478. HK Golo, B Erinosho. (2023). "Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework." Marine Policy, Vol.147, available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105349. Mbatha P. (2022). "Unravelling the perpetuated marginalization of customary livelihoods on the coast by plural and multi-level conservation governance systems." Marine Policy. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Wilson D. (2021). "European colonisation, law, and Indigenous marine dispossession: historical perspectives on the construction and entrenchment of unequal marine governance." Maritime Studies. Available from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00233-2. Book chapters Ansah JW, Yaa Oduro G, Wilson D, "Narratives of Non-Compliance in "Tuesday Non-Fishing Day" in Ghana," in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 357-382. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Boswell, R (ed.), Blue Heritage: Global Perspectives on Ocean Histories and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022). Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Boswell R, "Waking up to Wakashio: Marine and Human Disaster in Mauritius," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 225-250. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Christoffels-DuPlessis A, Erinosho B, Major L, Morgera E, Sunde J and Vermeylen S, "Navigating a sea of laws: the quests of small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and South Africa for protecting their customary rights" in Rose Boswell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 325-356. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Erwin K, Pereira T, McGarry D, Coppen N, "Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 383-409. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4. Hills J, Chand K, George M, Huffer E, Kruger J, Samuwai J et al., "Blue Heritage in the Blue Pacific." in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 273-302. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Michalena E, Hills J, "Evolving Hegemonies of Blue Heritage: From Ancient Greece to Today," in Rose Bosewell et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 51-73. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Thornton JL, Pillay R, "'Other' Social Consequences of Marine Protection in Tsitsikamma, South Africa," Boswell R et al (ed), The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage (Palgrave, 2022), 411-426. Available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4 Blogposts summarising key issues being raised across the webinars. • One Ocean Hub. (2024). "New short film: 'Mapping for Justice' is about a long-lasting battle for customary rights within South Africa's first UNESCO world heritage site, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-mapping-for-justice-is-about-a-long-lasting-battle-for-customary-rights-in-a-world-heritage-site/. • McGarry D, Morgera E and Merilainen L. (2022). Fairer and more inclusive marine protected areas through restorative public storytelling, https://oneoceanhub.org/fairer-and-more-inclusive-marine-protected-areas-through-restorative-public-storytelling/. • Nakamura J, Erinosho B and Strand M, "Fishing for recognition of customary law: a preliminary reflection in the fisheries context," 8 May 2023, https://www.fao.org/legal-services/resources/detail/en/c/1638852/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession. • Wilson D. (2020). Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and ocean climate action, https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. • Wilson D. (2020). A Brief History of Colonisation, Customary Law, and Indigenous Marine Dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/a-brief-history-of-colonisation-customary-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-one/. • Wilson D. (2021). Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group-The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-research-group-the-story-so-far-part-two/. • Wilson D. (2022). Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshops, https://oneoceanhub.org/customary-law-tangible-intangible-heritage-and-ocean-governance-workshops/. • Wilson D. (2023). Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa, https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ Events/Webinars • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020 and was attended by around 50 attendees. • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E. This event was organised for the UN Nippon Fellows and Alumni and was attended by 46 attendees. • Canoe Culture and Heritage in Ghana, 9 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWFQ9Znank. This event was organised for the UN World Oceans Day 2020 and was attended by 56 attendees. • Dr Jackie Sunde - Decolonizing Marine Governance and Law, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sDNbvXSvLDU&t=4s; Dr Saskia Vermeylen - The Saltwater Collection and Sea Rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zXhSIIB7-OM; and Dr Joshua L. Reid - From "Fishing Together" to "To Fish in Common With", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3NiBdocHE. The three presentation were delivered as part of "Customary Laws of the Sea and the legacy of colonisation," for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, 11 June 2020. The event was attended by 127 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 6 May 2022 and was attended by 75 attendees. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. The event was organised as part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 22 September 2022. It was attended by 75 attendees. • A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" COP26 side-event for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. The event was attended by 34 attendees in total. These include 18 attendees who attended the event in person at the Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane. Glasgow, Scotland G1 3NU and 16 attendees who joined the event virtually. • Climate-Related Conflict: Arts-Based Mediation and Recourse to Redress, 10th November 2021. COP26 side-event organised by: The One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM. The event was attended by 26 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 10th November 2022.Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s This event was attended by 77 attendees. • Indigenous Knowledge, Community-based Art Practice and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu (led by the Glasgow School of Art and the One Ocean Hub), 17 November 2022, a side event for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at the COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. This event was attended by 16 attendees. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. This event was attended by 12 attendees. Video/film outputs • Ocean & Women, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyjRznGEA. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsavQOxyLFw&t=579s. • Ocean Connections Project Video, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0. • 45 minutes documentary film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU • Short film 'Cocooned in Harmony', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ • Short film 'The nexus between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Ghana', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opi9ejkLjT0&t=348s • Short film 'HURININ People of the Sea' - The Topnaar people's search for human rights and recognition, available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A • Short film 'Mapping for justice', available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Department | Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC) |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | South African National Biodiversity Institute |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | University of KwaZulu-Natal |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Capacity Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge Systems in the Deep Sea |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The interdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub has brought together within South Africa, for the first time, deep-sea scientists (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, University of Plymouth), sociologists (Rhodes University and University of Cape Town), artists (Rhodes University), and expertise in knowledge systems, ethics, and benefit sharing (University of Cape Town), together with expertise in ethical innovation and knowledge production at the University of Strathclyde, UK. This interdisciplinary team seeks to address two critical challenges fundamental in underpinning fair and equitable access to and benefit from deep sea ecosystems: 1. Building capacity to undertake research in the deep sea in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) countries There are historical barriers to wider global participation in offshore research. This has impact on the ability of all nations to participate in evidence-based decision-making on deep-sea areas within their jurisdictions and beyond. Widening participation in deep-sea science has therefore become a significant goal of the Hub. While planned cruises and research have initially been delayed by COVID and eventually been canceled because of the ODA budget cuts, the planning of the cruise for two years had nonetheless allowed the emergence of a more considered approach to the design of deep-sea science capacity-strengthening programme that will benefit researchers in future opportunities for international collaboration. 2. Integrating knowledge systems and learning from multiple conceptions of the deep sea, for holistic ocean literacy Understanding and surfacing different ways of knowing the deep sea, as well as decolonising the science of the Deep Sea, are critical steps in addressing issues of inequity in representation and participation in deep-sea research (including with indigenous knowledge systems). Integrating different ways of knowing and understanding the deep sea has become a key interdisciplinary focus for the Hub, working towards ocean literacy outputs informed by both science and indigenous knowledge systems. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations listed below are part of the Hub's original application: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. The new partnership generated by this collaboration includes: • research organization based in the Global South: University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa • partner organisation based in the Global South: South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Strathclyde, University of Plymouth and South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Understanding the barriers to deep-sea science and research in a LMIC context. The team undertook a survey of deep-sea and marine scientists on Access to Marine Subject Area Education and Research to understand the barriers to deep-sea research and how LMIC country researchers can be better supported and included. The survey yielded evidence that supports the Hub approach: training on the use of equipment and inclusion on research cruises will be most impactful (as opposed to data sharing agreements, which are also valued). In addition, a campaign around ocean literacy that increases knowledge and interest in deep-science research careers will create a pipeline of future scientists and a populace that invests in it. This has further informed the design of the Hub's capacity-strengthening programme for deep-sea research, and ocean literacy at all levels. This has resulted in a public report that will inform the Hub's contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and policy advice to ocean funders. Follow-up research will connect the report findings with new research on the human right to science and on the relevance of cultural heritage for deep-sea research. The capacity strengthening programme led by SANBI and University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), involves the design and delivery of a programme of training across key aspects and skill areas of deep-sea research, targeted to researchers and government scientists, including in conducting the first benthic survey in Namibia. Partnership in marine benthic mapping has been reported separately under 'Partnership for Marine Habitat Mapping in the South-East Atlantic'. This partnership has delivered training in deep-sea taxonomy and species distribution modelling to South African scientists and students, and developed a new global platform to support identification of deep-sea animals. It has also supported initial steps in the establishment of a national benthic invertebrate monitoring programme in Namibia in support of MSC certification of the important Namibian Hake fishery. This has involved knowledge sharing between neighbouring South Africa and Namibia as well as between North and South Atlantic basins. In addition, a new partnership between the University of Rhodes and the University of Plymouth has been established focused on biodiscovery. The partnership is also collating undergraduate training materials in marine science to make available in a usable package to educators in higher education institutions across South Africa. SANBI also leads on engagement with the South Africa Government in increasing capacity for knowledge-based decision making for the marine ecosystem. As active members of the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group of the South Africa Government, SANBI are well placed to connect Hub outputs with key actors, and support capacity strengthening for implementation. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) SANBI led on a Flexible Fund project titled 'MzanSea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems', which was implemented in 2021. MzanSea aims to foster ocean literacy and provide resources for educators, students and decision makers. The project is a direct response to the outcomes emerging from the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) conference in early 2020, which was the realisation of the limited knowledge and resources on marine ecosystems in general and deep ocean ecosystems in particular within South Africa. Educators themselves were not able to connect to these ecosystems and therefore neither were their students. Additionally, despite South Africa having 12 official languages, as far as we are aware there are no ocean educational resources in languages other than English or Afrikaans, thereby failing to reach a large proportion of people in South Africa. There is therefore a need for educational resources regarding marine ecosystems in South Africa in multiple languages. SANBI will lead on the production of a suite of resources revealing 14 marine ecosystem types suitable for learners from children to decision makers. These resources will also be translated into at least 3 coastal languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans). Through the One Ocean Hub, the deep-sea science team behind MzanSea, have partnered with colleagues from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, to expand MzanSea to include other forms of knowledge. Bridging the fields of marine science and marine sociology/anthropology, the researchers are collaborating at the intersection of cultural heritage and scientific heritage in describing at least 9 of the 14 marine ecosystems of South Africa, through both perspectives. This collaboration seeks to highlight the alignment between indigenous and scientific knowledge. The collaboration began as an output of early cultural heritage research by the Rhodes team, which produced the Indlela yokuphila Empatheatre animation project which offers a digital storytelling experience through animation that tells the story of the soul's journey through the oceans in Zulu traditional ancestral belief. This will now be worked into the MzanSea outputs to form a holistic package of ocean literacy materials. The SANBI/Rhodes University collaboration has expanded to include also colleagues at the University of Cape Town, to explore the intersection of scientific and indigenous knowledge in the context of the deep sea more broadly. This team have formed the 'Deep Knowing' working group. In this collaboration, the University of Cape Town, through a PhD research project, is examining the epistemological interactions and practical implications of working with different knowledge systems, specifically "Science" and "Indigenous Knowledge Systems". The group will also examine specific ethical questions (linked to the One Ocean Hub code of practice) - around representation, participation and working with indigenous/contextual/embodied ways of knowing in the context of deep-sea science. The resulting MzanSea website and resources (including a children's activity book) have been launched in 2022 and received early international recognition by being included in the resources of a new e-learning course produced by the UN Environment programme for 13-15 years old youth on children's human right to a healthy environment. University of Cape Town research on fair marine biodiscovery also provides substantial contribution to the partnership. On August 3rd, 2021, the Bio-economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town in partnership with the One Ocean Hub hosted a webinar on marine biodiscovery in South Africa to bring together scientists, regulators and policymakers to present and discuss findings relating to the equitable and sustainable use of marine genetic resources. This stems from research conducted by Dr Jessica Lavelle and Professor Rachel Wynberg which explored historical and current activities relating to marine biodiscovery, its governance and existing (dis)connections in law, science and policy. The intention of the research is to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable approaches for equitable and sustainable marine biodiscovery in South Africa. The collaboration between Rhodes University and University of Plymouth on biodiscovery which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a development of a new project 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance'. The project is funded by Newton Fund via UK Medical Research Council and South African Medical Research Council (July 2020-December 2023). This project is aimed to enable researchers to explore biodiverse rich habitats, deep oceans and polar environments for novel and natural compounds. It brings together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. As part of this project, Hub researcher from Rhodes University, Professor Rosemary Dorrington, will lead South African researchers to form the 'Natural product research network', alongside a UK research consortium led by Hub researcher at University of Plymouth, Professor Mathew Upton, with partners at the universities of Bristol, Leeds, St Andrews and Aberdeen. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only benefit healthcare globally but will also support the bio-economies of both South Africa and the UK, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). The £1.9 million funding also includes £1.9 million includes £412,000 funding for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics (See: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics). As part of capacity strengthening, researchers from the University of Edinburgh contribute in expanding knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean through the development of online training, teaching and learning resources, video, and on-site training. The aim of the research is to predict future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and provide data also on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping. This collaboration has achieved demonstrable policy impacts. In June 2022, the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") was endorsed as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of a UN Decade African Network of Deep-water Researchers (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Established in 2023 and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK), the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). Although still in a development phase, key activities are anticipated to emphasise training, project development, knowledge exchange, and research initiatives. As a first step, the Network initiated a workshop series identifying practical actions to advance deep-water research and establish a framework for future activities (https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/). In October 2023, the Hub has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner, focusing on transdisciplinary research. Hub researchers at the University of Plymouth will present findings, experience and practices of the Hub deep-sea research at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain in April 2024 as part of a satellite event titled "Deepening the Decade" to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Conference, Paris, France in April 2024 in collaboration with Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) (see also a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science"). As part of the efforts to strengthen deep-sea capacity building in Africa, in February 2023, Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise was funded by the Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). The main aim of the cruise was to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also included innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise was funded by the One Ocean Hub and it is an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. In 2022, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The research gear included a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep-sea landers and oceanographic instruments. The ROV captures video and images and can collect biological samples using a manipulator arm. Researchers explored underwater caves and canyons and hope to find the elusive coelacanth which was first trawled off East London in South Africa in 1938 but since then has only been seen much further north of Pumula and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and in other countries in East Africa. Landers are remote underwater video stations that are baited and allow scientists to record fish, sharks and other deep-sea creatures attracted to the bait. Ten students from seven different universities and institutes participated in the cruise facilitated by the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). This included the University of KwaZululu Natal, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and the University of Cape Town. Oceanography sediment and biodiversity data were collected to contribute to three Ph.D. studies and two Master's theses with additional collaborative publications spanning multiple disciplines underway by the group. The team relied on standard and new technology for ocean sampling using remote visual tools to obtain imagery of the seabed, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profilers (CTDs) to measure changes in ocean variables with depth and conducted surveys of marine species used in medicine and ritual in East London. Technician JJ Forgus developed skills in collecting specimens from the depth using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a claw that can be used for targeted specimen samplings. SANBI emerging researcher gained experience as a Chief Scientist, a rare opportunity for a young scientist. The Hub's deep-sea capacity strengthening partnerships has also brought positive environmental impacts. The deep-sea cruise conducted in 2023, for example, involved the use of 29 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives conducted by the team, two of these presented an opportunity for invertebrate samples to be collected, whilst some excellent footage of never-before-seen habitats, including deep-water canyons, sticky mud habitats, as well as creatures rarely witnessed in situ collected during the remaining dives (https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/). Two dredges and 18 sediment samples were achieved to gather invertebrate samples to be used in the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme's (FBIP) SeaMap project recently awarded to the Egagasini Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). This project is aimed at developing South Africa's marine invertebrate DNA barcode catalogue and will also produce the country's first data-driven ecosystem map using species records from visual surveys. A total of ten deepsea lander deployments were accomplished, establishing the record for the deepest lander dive in South Africa thus far at a depth of 1036 meters. Pressures at these depths exceed 100 times those experienced at the surface, so not only are the creatures adapted to these conditions truly something to behold, but it is also testimony to the progress made in maritime engineering. Those involved in this enterprise made great strides in bringing Africa to the forefront of what is possible with deep-sea exploration. The expedition, which spanned 157 hours at sea, covered a total of 901 nautical miles. This collaboration has also brought positive social impacts. The Hub's researchers are investing in science communication and ocean literacy- a sharing of diverse sets of knowledge across knowledge types and knowledge holders including disciplines, groups and generations. Building ocean literacy is an ongoing process; one that will continue over the course of each scientist's journey, as the ocean and social systems we seek to protect are ever-changing. That is why a dynamic, integrated, and collaborative approach is needed for the sustainable and equitable management of our oceans. The capacity development and transdisciplinary components of the deep-sea expedition and the MzanSea ocean literacy project for example, sought to overcome the old narrative of separate sciences, to draw from the diverse pool of expertise created by the multiplicity of team members, so that learning could be facilitated, which better serves society and our seas. The deep-sea expedition conducted in 2023 contributed to the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment of South Africa. All the events and capacity building sessions co-organised as part of this collaboration - as outlined in the "outcomes section" - were attended by a total of 102,744 persons. The capacity strengthening collaboration under the Hub also has strengthened gender equality and inclusivity. All the Hub's capacity strengthening sessions were attended by predominantly women audience. On average over 60 per cent of participants in these evens were women. This speaks to the interests of women in this field and the need for capacity building for women. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research programme, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics and early career researchers. The impact of this collaboration in strengthening gender equality and inclusivity is evident from the leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and Safiyya Sedick who played a crucial role as the coordinating officer for the Hub funded deep-sea cruise in 2023. |
| Impact | Further Funding: The SANBI/Rhodes collaboration which formed under the One Ocean Hub has led to a successful new project, funded by the South African National Research Foundation, titled 'Deep Connections'. Deep Connections is a 3-year project which will start in 2021 (see Further Funding). The Deep Connections project is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to build knowledge about offshore marine connectivity for inclusion in spatial assessment and prioritisation. This will be achieved by investigating genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity together with targeted geoscience and oceanographic research and innovative socio-cultural learning and knowledge co-production. This project builds on the transdisciplinary team working on related aspects through the One Ocean Hub and strives to help address current capacity shortfalls and gaps in spatial assessment and planning. The collaboration between Rhodes University and the University of Plymouth on biodiscovery has led to a new international research collaboration to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics namely 'Harnessing Natural Product Diversity to Combat Multidrug Resistance' which started in July 2020 and is scheduled to be finalised in September 2024 following no-cost extension for the project (see Further Funding) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibiotics Publications: • Howell, K; Hilrio, A; Allcock, L; Bailey, D; Baker, M; Clark, MR; Colaco, A;Copley, J; Cordes, E; Danovaro, R; Dissanayake, A; Escobar, E; Esquete, P; Gallagher, A; Gates, A; Gaudron, SM; German CR; Gjerde, KM; Higgs, ND; Le Bris, N; Levin, L; Manea, E; McClain, C; Menot, L; Mestre, N; Metaxas, A; Milligan R; Muthumbi, A; Narayanaswamy, B; Ramalho, S; Ramirez-Llodra, E; Robson, L; Rogers, A; Sellanes, J; Sigwart, J; Sink, K; Snelgrove, P.V.R; Stefanoudis, P; Sumida, P; Taylor, M; Thurber, A; Vieira R; Watanabe, HK; Woodall, L; Xavier, J. (2020). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. • Howell K.L., Hilário A, Allcock, AL, Bailey DM., Baker M, Clark MR., Colaço A, C Jon, Cordes E E., Danovaro R, Dissanayake A, Escobar E, Esquete P, Gallagher AJ., Gates AR., Gaudron SM., German CR., Gjerde KM., Higgs ND., Le Bris N, Levin LA., Manea E, McClain C, Menot L, Mestre NC., Metaxas A, Milligan RJ., Muthumbi AWN., Narayanaswamy BE., Ramalho SP., Ramirez-Llodra E, Robson LM., Rogers AD., Sellanes J, Sigwart JD., Sink K, Snelgrove PV, Stefanoudis PV., Sumida PY., Taylor ML., Thurber AR., Vieira RP., Watanabe HK., Woodall LC., Xavier JR. (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861 • Worm, B; Elliff C; Fonseca JG; Gell FR; Gon'alves ACS; Helder N; Murray K; Peckham H; Prelovec L; Sink K. Making Ocean Literacy Inclusive and Accessible. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00196 • Wynberg, R; Grorud-Colvert, K; Thambisetty, S; Bandarra, N.M; Can?rio, A.V.M; da Silva, J; Duarte, C.M; Jaspars, M; Rogers, A; Sink, K; Wabnitz, C.C.C. (2020). The ocean genome and future prospects for conservation and equity. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9. • Morgera, E. (2018-19). "Fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new international instrument on marine biodiversity: A principled approach towards partnership building?" 5 Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal 48-7. https://autopapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3234346 • Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf • Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill, Forthcoming). SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3870399 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 • Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. • Harden-Davies H, Amon DJ, Vierros M, Bax NJ, Hanich Q, Hills JM, Guilhon M, McQuaid KA, Mohammed E, Pouponneau A, Seto KL, Sink K, Talma S & Woodall L. 2022. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. Earth System Governance 12: 100138. DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Policy Brief How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Artistic product - DiepRespek: Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems film/video. Available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6kdnR2eXmgDiepRespek video was featured in a blog of the South Africa Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association, which noted that the video was "spreading quickly among fishing crews working in South Africa's trawl fishery for hake.": https://www.sadstia.co.za/news/dieprespek-shines-a-fresh-light-on-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ - "The Indlela Yokuphila (the Soul Journey)." Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10. The short film "Indlela Yokuphila" meaning "the Soul's journey" in Zulu was researched and narrated by Mpume Mthombeni (Empatheatre) and directed by Marc Moynihan (Shells & Spells) and Dr. Dylan McGarry (Empatheatre/Rhodes University), the film aims to make intangible ocean heritages more tangible in governance and education through animation and public dialogue, and return the sacred to our conversations around ocean wellbeing. Short films: - "From the bottom of the sea to the laboratory," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJ7935sOd0&t=12s - "Understanding the deep sea" short film, available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSOYfPOdDI. Blogposts: Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit"". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). MzanSea - Launcing an innovative ocean literacy website and children's activity book. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/MzanSea-an-innovative-ocean-literacy-project-launches-a-website-and-a-childrens-activity-book/ Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/ Lavelle J. (2021). "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/ Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). Challenges and solutions for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. Available from: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/ Website of MzanSea: https://MzanSea.org/ Report: Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Outcomes This partnership is working towards the specific outcome of increased research capacity in deep-sea knowledge, techniques and data (SDG 14A). Towards this outcome, the partnership has began a programme of deep-sea research methods training. They delivered training in benthic biodiversity data collection to 15 researchers and government scientists from both South Africa and Namibia in collaboration with the DOSI-Project. This has led to further collaboration to develop new Namibian Deep-Sea Benthic Collections with representatives of Namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in 2021 to now. Events carried out in 2021-2024. SANBI have participated and presented in all meetings of the South Africa Marine Spatial Planning Working Group. In addition, this working group benefitted from the new interdisciplinary connections developed under the One Ocean Hub: interdisciplinary input from the One Ocean Hub team was provided at an information session on "Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into marine spatial planning", which took place on 22 October 2020, hosted by Biodiversity & Coastal Research Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF): Oceans and Coasts, South Africa Government. As an outcome of this meeting, members of the technical team of planners who inform environmental priorities in marine spatial planning have requested a follow-up meeting with Hub researchers to discuss key issues raised in 2021. The MzanSea team have presented to the Marine and Coastal Educators Network and are in discussion with members of this network from the three South Africa aquariums on the implementation of the MzanSea products. In December 2021, a new website of the MzanSea (see: https://MzanSea.org/) was launched. The MzanSea team also developed a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets. The MzanSea products also include elements about why and how to care for ocean ecosystems and also profiles young marine scientists studying different ecosystem types. The Indlela Yokuphila animation project was launched during the UN World Oceans Day in June 2023. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10). This event was attended by 34 attendees. It was already showcased at the following events: - "Indlela yokuphila (the path of life)," the UN World Ocean Week in June 2020 (here: https://bit.ly/3HXx2K1). This event was attended by 72 attendees. - "Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to redress," the One Ocean Hub joint side event with the Green Climate Fund in November 2021 for Climate COP26. This event was attended by 26 attendees (here: https://bit.ly/3i0MYk9). - "Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa," the UN World Oceans Day side-event with Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance and the UNDOALOS on 9 June 2023 (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/). This event was attended by 26 attendees. - Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs"the official UN World Oceans Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York (here: https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU&t=63s ). The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. This collaboration has also contributed in co-organising three webinars for the UN World Oceans Day 2020-2021. • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Arwc_wTwsJ4. This event was attended by 76 attendees. ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Disciplines involved in this collaboration: deep-sea science, sociology, anthropology, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science |
| Organisation | Convention on Biological Diversity |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub adopts inter- and transdisciplinarity, working across disciplines including marine science, law, anthropology, sociology, history, and arts, as well as with diverse knowledge holders (see https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/). From the outset, the Hub has organized events to share iterative learning on its inter- and transdisciplinary practices, including events for the World Oceans Week (https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/) and the UN Nippon Fellow Alumni capacity-building programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=acRnJj4ckas&t=20s) in 2020. The Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK in November 2021 provided another opportunity for the Hub to showcase the values and contributions of the Hub transdisciplinary research in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to international partners and other stakeholders, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO that also acts as the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. This paved the way for closer collaboration between the Hub and IOC UNESCO/Ocean Decade on transdisciplinary research. Climate change is driving rapid and vast changes to the ocean and consequently the ways that people relate to it. Adaptation to these changes will be essential to maintain the services and values that it provides. Given the complexity of challenges posed by climate change multi-disciplinarity and science/policy engagement are key to build suitable adaptation and mitigation. There is a pressing need to integrate both different knowledge system, including traditional knowledge in ocean research and to work with varied and relevant stakeholders including traditional knowledge holder. This is a key understanding to ocean-climate solution shared by the Hub and IOC-UNESCO/UN Ocean Decade. In June 2022, the IOC-UNESCO endorsed the Hub "Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade; and in November 2021, the IOC-UNESCO invited the Hub to apply as an "Implementing Partner" of the Decade and co-develop a programme on transdiciplinarity. In October 2023 the IOC-UNESCO also endorsed the One Ocean Hub as Decade Implementation Partner focusing specifically on Challenge 10 but also addressing others that include Challenge 3, 4 and 5. As part of its role under this endorsement, the Hub will develop the Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance - supporting just, inclusive sustainable ocean governance and exploring its transferability to other Decade's projects and activities, the Hub will also respond to other Decade challenges - particularly Challenges 3, 4, and 5. In addition, the Transdisciplinary Toolbox promotes embedding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, multiple SDGs and the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, by integrating the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach in ocean research and governance. The Hub will present components of the Transdisciplinary Toolbox at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 in a satellite event that has been organized by the Hub through a partnership with University of Cardiff, and that has been approved by the Decade. The Challenges that the Transdisciplinary Toolbox addresses are detailed as follows: Challenge 10: Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean. Challenge 3: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions to optimise the role of the ocean in sustainably feeding the world's population under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 4: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 5: Enhance understanding of the ocean-climate nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change across all geographies and at all scales, and to improve services including predictions for the ocean, climate and weather. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; Rhodes University, South Africa). • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy; Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in the Global North: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), US; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Ocean Forum, US; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Germany; International Maritime Organization, UK; Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The United Nations proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO serves as the main coordinator of the Ocean Decade. The Hub collaboration with the (IOC) of UNESCO started during Climate COP26 in November 2021. The Hub led the co-organisation of High-Level Event for COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus during and at key events in the run up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The Pavilion is coordinated by Global Ocean Forum in collaboration with various partners such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to mention a few. The Hub has been a co-organiser of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion from 2021 until now. On 1st November 2021, the One Ocean Hub co-organised a roundtable titled 'Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion to bring together UN bodies and researchers from different disciplines on the ocean-climate nexus. The roundtable explored the need for joint interventions by the UN System and global organisations to build ocean resilience in the face of climate change, using sustainable and inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. The event was chaired by Mr Eden Charles, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub. It brought together high-level representatives from different UN bodies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, IOC-UNESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Hub researchers, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK). This event enabled the Hub to share progress and lessons learnt in transdisciplinary ocean research with a view to supporting science-policy interfaces that integrate different stakeholders and human rights-holders, as well as experts from marine sciences and social sciences, law, humanities and arts and shared key learnings with the IOC UNESCO who also serves as the Secretariat of the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The Hub key learnings shared during the event are listed in our policy brief titled "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" that is available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. In June 2022, the IOC UNESCO informed the Hub of their endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade due to the Hub's engagement and commitment to the Ocean Decade vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want" (see the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26). Research Programme 4 focuses on capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity through new deep-water surveys in one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems. It aims to develop new methods to predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Within the structure set out in the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan, individual projects are typically attached to endorsed Decade Programmes. One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 is attached to Decade Programme "Challenger 150 - A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life". Challenger 150 is a global cooperative aims 'to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, function and services provided by deep-ocean biota; and to use this new knowledge to educate, inspire, and promote better management and sustainable use of the deep ocean' (https://challenger150.world/). As part of the Ocean Decade the IOC UNESCO facilitates the effort of the ocean community in responding to the pressing need for adaptation strategies and science-policy responses to address problems affecting the ocean and peoples most dependent on it. To do so, the UN Ocean Decade endorses so-called Implementing Partners. Implementing Partners are selected stakeholder institutions, networks or groups that are committed to the vision and mission of the Decade, and that are making significant and sustained efforts to support the Decade through the implementation of specific tasks (see http://bit.ly/3l7GAwk). In November 2021, the IOC UNESCO invited the Hub to become an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner and to co-develop an Implementing Partner proposal focused on transdiciplinarity (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). As a Decade Implementing Partner on transdiciplinarity, the Hub will facilitate and coordinate national, regional and international contributions including workshop, event, exhibit, conference, and publications that contribute to Ocean Decade's commitment to co-designing research and solutions that is critical for revolutionizing ocean science and transforming ocean governance. The Hub is expecting to receive formal endorsement as the Decade Implementing Partner from the IOC UNESCO before mid 2023. Within the first three months of its mandate as a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub has envisaged and prepared three events for the UN Ocean Decade Conference and has committed to deliver a talk and take part in the UK National UN Decade Committee meeting taking place 5-6 March at the Edinburgh Napier University, where Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha will present. The events are designed to disseminate the finds in the field of transdisciplinary methods through its program Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance, as well as in the field of deep-sea research (Hub research program 4 - RP4), as part of its Decade Action mandate in relation to the Decade's Challenger 150 research program. In its capacity of Decade Implementing Partner (Transdisciplinary Toolbox), the Hub will deliver two knowledge sharing events within the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024. On 9 April, the Hub will deliver a Satellite event entitled Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance. The satellite event "Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" will be a three-tiered event consisting of a panel on the Hub's Ocean Knowledge Integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Nina Rivers, Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Mpume Mthombeni will be delivering this event's program. The satellite event regarding the Challenger 150 program will be delivered by Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another satellite event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. In addition to this, Nina Rivers will present a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The presentation will take place between 10 and 12 April 2024, within the regular program of the Conference. The UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's "Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" is developed based on Hub's research, experience and practices. As part of the Hub's role as a Decade Implementation Partnership endorsed in October 2023, the proposed transdisciplinary toolbox for ocean knowledge co-production supporting just, inclusive, and sustainable ocean governance represents the Hub's original product, envisaged as a program applicable at the international level as well as to a variety of geographical contexts. The Toolbox is envisaged adaptable and applicable to the programs of various and diverse Decade's partners through guidance of how to make the best use of the programme. It will also benefit the programs focusing on sustainable development beyond the ocean context. Responding to Challenge 10 (to 'ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean'), the Toolbox takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to transdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies, and research findings. It builds on the Hub's expertise in integrated approaches to the implementation of human rights, environmental law and the law of the sea, on the basis of aligned evidence from the marine and social sciences and the arts. It draws from the comprehensive and still evolving array of innovative research methodologies, activities and findings co-developed by the Hub and discussed with various partners (including international NGOs and various bodies of the UN System). This collaboration also promotes gender equality. 85 per cent of Hub researchers who will be attending and presenting at Decade Conference in April 2024 are women. Hub's contributions to the Conference that is expected to be the largest gathering for the global ocean community in 2024 will also explore the varying the conditions of success for the Ocean Decade including inclusivity, equity and diversity across gender, generations and geographies. Hub's participation at the Decade Conference will also enable the Hub to share lessons learned and best practices on the importance of research co-development for sustainable development to Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, industry and philanthropic leaders who will be present at the Conference. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed articles: M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 Narayanaswamy B et al (2020). A blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea ocean decade field program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. Howell K et al. (2021). "A decade to study deep-sea life." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. Howell K et al. (2021). "A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. McQuaid et.al. (2022). "Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements" Earth System Governance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Jacob C, Diederichsen SD, Fullbrook L, Lombard AT, Rees SE, Rivers N, Snow B, Strand M, Zuercher R, Niner HJ. (2023). "A two-way process - Social capacity as a driver and outcome of equitable marine spatial planning." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105507. Strand M, Rivers N, Baasch R, Snow B. (2022). "Developing arts-based participatory research for more inclusive knowledge co-production in Algoa Bay." Current Research in Environmental Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178. International recognition/endorsement: Endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 as the Ocean Decade Action in 2022 by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. See the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26. One Ocean Hub has been invited by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner on transdisciplinary in November 2021. To see the evidence of the co-development of the Implementing Partner proposal between the Hub and IOC UNESCO from November 2021 until December 2022 see email exchanges here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do Report: Sink K, McQuaid K, Atkinson L, Palmer R, Van der Heever G, Majied P, Loyiso D, Currie J, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K, Paterson A. (2022). "Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Policy brief: One Ocean Hub Policy Brief: "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." (2021). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. Blogposts: Febrica S. (2021). "Bringing transdiciplinarity in science-policy interface for ocean sustainability". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/bringing-transdiciplinarity-in-science-policy-interface-for-ocean-sustainability/. James A. (2021). "Reflections on engaged, transdisciplinary creative research practice." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-engaged-transdisciplinary-creative-research-practice/. McDonald L. (2021). "Artfully Sustaining the Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take?". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/. Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M, and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/. Maharaj P and Hills J. (2021). "The development of a transdiciplinary framewrok for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific/. Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/. Febrica S. (2021). "Considering the Ocean and Transdiciplinary Research in the UK's International Development Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-ocean-and-transdisciplinary-research-in-the-uks-international-development-strategy/. McDonald L. (2021). "Surfacing emotional connections with the sea: DEEP Fund Projects update." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/. Lavelle J. (2021) "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/. Events: UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 • The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April, tbc) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. • Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. • In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science |
| Organisation | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub adopts inter- and transdisciplinarity, working across disciplines including marine science, law, anthropology, sociology, history, and arts, as well as with diverse knowledge holders (see https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/). From the outset, the Hub has organized events to share iterative learning on its inter- and transdisciplinary practices, including events for the World Oceans Week (https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/) and the UN Nippon Fellow Alumni capacity-building programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=acRnJj4ckas&t=20s) in 2020. The Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK in November 2021 provided another opportunity for the Hub to showcase the values and contributions of the Hub transdisciplinary research in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to international partners and other stakeholders, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO that also acts as the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. This paved the way for closer collaboration between the Hub and IOC UNESCO/Ocean Decade on transdisciplinary research. Climate change is driving rapid and vast changes to the ocean and consequently the ways that people relate to it. Adaptation to these changes will be essential to maintain the services and values that it provides. Given the complexity of challenges posed by climate change multi-disciplinarity and science/policy engagement are key to build suitable adaptation and mitigation. There is a pressing need to integrate both different knowledge system, including traditional knowledge in ocean research and to work with varied and relevant stakeholders including traditional knowledge holder. This is a key understanding to ocean-climate solution shared by the Hub and IOC-UNESCO/UN Ocean Decade. In June 2022, the IOC-UNESCO endorsed the Hub "Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade; and in November 2021, the IOC-UNESCO invited the Hub to apply as an "Implementing Partner" of the Decade and co-develop a programme on transdiciplinarity. In October 2023 the IOC-UNESCO also endorsed the One Ocean Hub as Decade Implementation Partner focusing specifically on Challenge 10 but also addressing others that include Challenge 3, 4 and 5. As part of its role under this endorsement, the Hub will develop the Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance - supporting just, inclusive sustainable ocean governance and exploring its transferability to other Decade's projects and activities, the Hub will also respond to other Decade challenges - particularly Challenges 3, 4, and 5. In addition, the Transdisciplinary Toolbox promotes embedding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, multiple SDGs and the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, by integrating the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach in ocean research and governance. The Hub will present components of the Transdisciplinary Toolbox at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 in a satellite event that has been organized by the Hub through a partnership with University of Cardiff, and that has been approved by the Decade. The Challenges that the Transdisciplinary Toolbox addresses are detailed as follows: Challenge 10: Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean. Challenge 3: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions to optimise the role of the ocean in sustainably feeding the world's population under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 4: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 5: Enhance understanding of the ocean-climate nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change across all geographies and at all scales, and to improve services including predictions for the ocean, climate and weather. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; Rhodes University, South Africa). • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy; Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in the Global North: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), US; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Ocean Forum, US; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Germany; International Maritime Organization, UK; Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The United Nations proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO serves as the main coordinator of the Ocean Decade. The Hub collaboration with the (IOC) of UNESCO started during Climate COP26 in November 2021. The Hub led the co-organisation of High-Level Event for COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus during and at key events in the run up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The Pavilion is coordinated by Global Ocean Forum in collaboration with various partners such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to mention a few. The Hub has been a co-organiser of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion from 2021 until now. On 1st November 2021, the One Ocean Hub co-organised a roundtable titled 'Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion to bring together UN bodies and researchers from different disciplines on the ocean-climate nexus. The roundtable explored the need for joint interventions by the UN System and global organisations to build ocean resilience in the face of climate change, using sustainable and inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. The event was chaired by Mr Eden Charles, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub. It brought together high-level representatives from different UN bodies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, IOC-UNESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Hub researchers, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK). This event enabled the Hub to share progress and lessons learnt in transdisciplinary ocean research with a view to supporting science-policy interfaces that integrate different stakeholders and human rights-holders, as well as experts from marine sciences and social sciences, law, humanities and arts and shared key learnings with the IOC UNESCO who also serves as the Secretariat of the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The Hub key learnings shared during the event are listed in our policy brief titled "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" that is available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. In June 2022, the IOC UNESCO informed the Hub of their endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade due to the Hub's engagement and commitment to the Ocean Decade vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want" (see the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26). Research Programme 4 focuses on capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity through new deep-water surveys in one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems. It aims to develop new methods to predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Within the structure set out in the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan, individual projects are typically attached to endorsed Decade Programmes. One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 is attached to Decade Programme "Challenger 150 - A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life". Challenger 150 is a global cooperative aims 'to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, function and services provided by deep-ocean biota; and to use this new knowledge to educate, inspire, and promote better management and sustainable use of the deep ocean' (https://challenger150.world/). As part of the Ocean Decade the IOC UNESCO facilitates the effort of the ocean community in responding to the pressing need for adaptation strategies and science-policy responses to address problems affecting the ocean and peoples most dependent on it. To do so, the UN Ocean Decade endorses so-called Implementing Partners. Implementing Partners are selected stakeholder institutions, networks or groups that are committed to the vision and mission of the Decade, and that are making significant and sustained efforts to support the Decade through the implementation of specific tasks (see http://bit.ly/3l7GAwk). In November 2021, the IOC UNESCO invited the Hub to become an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner and to co-develop an Implementing Partner proposal focused on transdiciplinarity (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). As a Decade Implementing Partner on transdiciplinarity, the Hub will facilitate and coordinate national, regional and international contributions including workshop, event, exhibit, conference, and publications that contribute to Ocean Decade's commitment to co-designing research and solutions that is critical for revolutionizing ocean science and transforming ocean governance. The Hub is expecting to receive formal endorsement as the Decade Implementing Partner from the IOC UNESCO before mid 2023. Within the first three months of its mandate as a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub has envisaged and prepared three events for the UN Ocean Decade Conference and has committed to deliver a talk and take part in the UK National UN Decade Committee meeting taking place 5-6 March at the Edinburgh Napier University, where Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha will present. The events are designed to disseminate the finds in the field of transdisciplinary methods through its program Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance, as well as in the field of deep-sea research (Hub research program 4 - RP4), as part of its Decade Action mandate in relation to the Decade's Challenger 150 research program. In its capacity of Decade Implementing Partner (Transdisciplinary Toolbox), the Hub will deliver two knowledge sharing events within the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024. On 9 April, the Hub will deliver a Satellite event entitled Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance. The satellite event "Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" will be a three-tiered event consisting of a panel on the Hub's Ocean Knowledge Integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Nina Rivers, Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Mpume Mthombeni will be delivering this event's program. The satellite event regarding the Challenger 150 program will be delivered by Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another satellite event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. In addition to this, Nina Rivers will present a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The presentation will take place between 10 and 12 April 2024, within the regular program of the Conference. The UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's "Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" is developed based on Hub's research, experience and practices. As part of the Hub's role as a Decade Implementation Partnership endorsed in October 2023, the proposed transdisciplinary toolbox for ocean knowledge co-production supporting just, inclusive, and sustainable ocean governance represents the Hub's original product, envisaged as a program applicable at the international level as well as to a variety of geographical contexts. The Toolbox is envisaged adaptable and applicable to the programs of various and diverse Decade's partners through guidance of how to make the best use of the programme. It will also benefit the programs focusing on sustainable development beyond the ocean context. Responding to Challenge 10 (to 'ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean'), the Toolbox takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to transdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies, and research findings. It builds on the Hub's expertise in integrated approaches to the implementation of human rights, environmental law and the law of the sea, on the basis of aligned evidence from the marine and social sciences and the arts. It draws from the comprehensive and still evolving array of innovative research methodologies, activities and findings co-developed by the Hub and discussed with various partners (including international NGOs and various bodies of the UN System). This collaboration also promotes gender equality. 85 per cent of Hub researchers who will be attending and presenting at Decade Conference in April 2024 are women. Hub's contributions to the Conference that is expected to be the largest gathering for the global ocean community in 2024 will also explore the varying the conditions of success for the Ocean Decade including inclusivity, equity and diversity across gender, generations and geographies. Hub's participation at the Decade Conference will also enable the Hub to share lessons learned and best practices on the importance of research co-development for sustainable development to Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, industry and philanthropic leaders who will be present at the Conference. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed articles: M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 Narayanaswamy B et al (2020). A blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea ocean decade field program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. Howell K et al. (2021). "A decade to study deep-sea life." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. Howell K et al. (2021). "A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. McQuaid et.al. (2022). "Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements" Earth System Governance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Jacob C, Diederichsen SD, Fullbrook L, Lombard AT, Rees SE, Rivers N, Snow B, Strand M, Zuercher R, Niner HJ. (2023). "A two-way process - Social capacity as a driver and outcome of equitable marine spatial planning." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105507. Strand M, Rivers N, Baasch R, Snow B. (2022). "Developing arts-based participatory research for more inclusive knowledge co-production in Algoa Bay." Current Research in Environmental Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178. International recognition/endorsement: Endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 as the Ocean Decade Action in 2022 by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. See the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26. One Ocean Hub has been invited by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner on transdisciplinary in November 2021. To see the evidence of the co-development of the Implementing Partner proposal between the Hub and IOC UNESCO from November 2021 until December 2022 see email exchanges here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do Report: Sink K, McQuaid K, Atkinson L, Palmer R, Van der Heever G, Majied P, Loyiso D, Currie J, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K, Paterson A. (2022). "Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Policy brief: One Ocean Hub Policy Brief: "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." (2021). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. Blogposts: Febrica S. (2021). "Bringing transdiciplinarity in science-policy interface for ocean sustainability". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/bringing-transdiciplinarity-in-science-policy-interface-for-ocean-sustainability/. James A. (2021). "Reflections on engaged, transdisciplinary creative research practice." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-engaged-transdisciplinary-creative-research-practice/. McDonald L. (2021). "Artfully Sustaining the Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take?". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/. Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M, and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/. Maharaj P and Hills J. (2021). "The development of a transdiciplinary framewrok for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific/. Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/. Febrica S. (2021). "Considering the Ocean and Transdiciplinary Research in the UK's International Development Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-ocean-and-transdisciplinary-research-in-the-uks-international-development-strategy/. McDonald L. (2021). "Surfacing emotional connections with the sea: DEEP Fund Projects update." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/. Lavelle J. (2021) "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/. Events: UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 • The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April, tbc) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. • Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. • In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science |
| Organisation | International Maritime Organisation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub adopts inter- and transdisciplinarity, working across disciplines including marine science, law, anthropology, sociology, history, and arts, as well as with diverse knowledge holders (see https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/). From the outset, the Hub has organized events to share iterative learning on its inter- and transdisciplinary practices, including events for the World Oceans Week (https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/) and the UN Nippon Fellow Alumni capacity-building programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=acRnJj4ckas&t=20s) in 2020. The Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK in November 2021 provided another opportunity for the Hub to showcase the values and contributions of the Hub transdisciplinary research in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to international partners and other stakeholders, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO that also acts as the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. This paved the way for closer collaboration between the Hub and IOC UNESCO/Ocean Decade on transdisciplinary research. Climate change is driving rapid and vast changes to the ocean and consequently the ways that people relate to it. Adaptation to these changes will be essential to maintain the services and values that it provides. Given the complexity of challenges posed by climate change multi-disciplinarity and science/policy engagement are key to build suitable adaptation and mitigation. There is a pressing need to integrate both different knowledge system, including traditional knowledge in ocean research and to work with varied and relevant stakeholders including traditional knowledge holder. This is a key understanding to ocean-climate solution shared by the Hub and IOC-UNESCO/UN Ocean Decade. In June 2022, the IOC-UNESCO endorsed the Hub "Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade; and in November 2021, the IOC-UNESCO invited the Hub to apply as an "Implementing Partner" of the Decade and co-develop a programme on transdiciplinarity. In October 2023 the IOC-UNESCO also endorsed the One Ocean Hub as Decade Implementation Partner focusing specifically on Challenge 10 but also addressing others that include Challenge 3, 4 and 5. As part of its role under this endorsement, the Hub will develop the Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance - supporting just, inclusive sustainable ocean governance and exploring its transferability to other Decade's projects and activities, the Hub will also respond to other Decade challenges - particularly Challenges 3, 4, and 5. In addition, the Transdisciplinary Toolbox promotes embedding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, multiple SDGs and the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, by integrating the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach in ocean research and governance. The Hub will present components of the Transdisciplinary Toolbox at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 in a satellite event that has been organized by the Hub through a partnership with University of Cardiff, and that has been approved by the Decade. The Challenges that the Transdisciplinary Toolbox addresses are detailed as follows: Challenge 10: Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean. Challenge 3: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions to optimise the role of the ocean in sustainably feeding the world's population under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 4: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 5: Enhance understanding of the ocean-climate nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change across all geographies and at all scales, and to improve services including predictions for the ocean, climate and weather. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; Rhodes University, South Africa). • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy; Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in the Global North: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), US; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Ocean Forum, US; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Germany; International Maritime Organization, UK; Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The United Nations proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO serves as the main coordinator of the Ocean Decade. The Hub collaboration with the (IOC) of UNESCO started during Climate COP26 in November 2021. The Hub led the co-organisation of High-Level Event for COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus during and at key events in the run up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The Pavilion is coordinated by Global Ocean Forum in collaboration with various partners such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to mention a few. The Hub has been a co-organiser of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion from 2021 until now. On 1st November 2021, the One Ocean Hub co-organised a roundtable titled 'Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion to bring together UN bodies and researchers from different disciplines on the ocean-climate nexus. The roundtable explored the need for joint interventions by the UN System and global organisations to build ocean resilience in the face of climate change, using sustainable and inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. The event was chaired by Mr Eden Charles, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub. It brought together high-level representatives from different UN bodies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, IOC-UNESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Hub researchers, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK). This event enabled the Hub to share progress and lessons learnt in transdisciplinary ocean research with a view to supporting science-policy interfaces that integrate different stakeholders and human rights-holders, as well as experts from marine sciences and social sciences, law, humanities and arts and shared key learnings with the IOC UNESCO who also serves as the Secretariat of the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The Hub key learnings shared during the event are listed in our policy brief titled "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" that is available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. In June 2022, the IOC UNESCO informed the Hub of their endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade due to the Hub's engagement and commitment to the Ocean Decade vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want" (see the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26). Research Programme 4 focuses on capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity through new deep-water surveys in one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems. It aims to develop new methods to predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Within the structure set out in the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan, individual projects are typically attached to endorsed Decade Programmes. One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 is attached to Decade Programme "Challenger 150 - A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life". Challenger 150 is a global cooperative aims 'to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, function and services provided by deep-ocean biota; and to use this new knowledge to educate, inspire, and promote better management and sustainable use of the deep ocean' (https://challenger150.world/). As part of the Ocean Decade the IOC UNESCO facilitates the effort of the ocean community in responding to the pressing need for adaptation strategies and science-policy responses to address problems affecting the ocean and peoples most dependent on it. To do so, the UN Ocean Decade endorses so-called Implementing Partners. Implementing Partners are selected stakeholder institutions, networks or groups that are committed to the vision and mission of the Decade, and that are making significant and sustained efforts to support the Decade through the implementation of specific tasks (see http://bit.ly/3l7GAwk). In November 2021, the IOC UNESCO invited the Hub to become an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner and to co-develop an Implementing Partner proposal focused on transdiciplinarity (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). As a Decade Implementing Partner on transdiciplinarity, the Hub will facilitate and coordinate national, regional and international contributions including workshop, event, exhibit, conference, and publications that contribute to Ocean Decade's commitment to co-designing research and solutions that is critical for revolutionizing ocean science and transforming ocean governance. The Hub is expecting to receive formal endorsement as the Decade Implementing Partner from the IOC UNESCO before mid 2023. Within the first three months of its mandate as a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub has envisaged and prepared three events for the UN Ocean Decade Conference and has committed to deliver a talk and take part in the UK National UN Decade Committee meeting taking place 5-6 March at the Edinburgh Napier University, where Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha will present. The events are designed to disseminate the finds in the field of transdisciplinary methods through its program Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance, as well as in the field of deep-sea research (Hub research program 4 - RP4), as part of its Decade Action mandate in relation to the Decade's Challenger 150 research program. In its capacity of Decade Implementing Partner (Transdisciplinary Toolbox), the Hub will deliver two knowledge sharing events within the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024. On 9 April, the Hub will deliver a Satellite event entitled Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance. The satellite event "Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" will be a three-tiered event consisting of a panel on the Hub's Ocean Knowledge Integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Nina Rivers, Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Mpume Mthombeni will be delivering this event's program. The satellite event regarding the Challenger 150 program will be delivered by Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another satellite event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. In addition to this, Nina Rivers will present a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The presentation will take place between 10 and 12 April 2024, within the regular program of the Conference. The UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's "Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" is developed based on Hub's research, experience and practices. As part of the Hub's role as a Decade Implementation Partnership endorsed in October 2023, the proposed transdisciplinary toolbox for ocean knowledge co-production supporting just, inclusive, and sustainable ocean governance represents the Hub's original product, envisaged as a program applicable at the international level as well as to a variety of geographical contexts. The Toolbox is envisaged adaptable and applicable to the programs of various and diverse Decade's partners through guidance of how to make the best use of the programme. It will also benefit the programs focusing on sustainable development beyond the ocean context. Responding to Challenge 10 (to 'ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean'), the Toolbox takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to transdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies, and research findings. It builds on the Hub's expertise in integrated approaches to the implementation of human rights, environmental law and the law of the sea, on the basis of aligned evidence from the marine and social sciences and the arts. It draws from the comprehensive and still evolving array of innovative research methodologies, activities and findings co-developed by the Hub and discussed with various partners (including international NGOs and various bodies of the UN System). This collaboration also promotes gender equality. 85 per cent of Hub researchers who will be attending and presenting at Decade Conference in April 2024 are women. Hub's contributions to the Conference that is expected to be the largest gathering for the global ocean community in 2024 will also explore the varying the conditions of success for the Ocean Decade including inclusivity, equity and diversity across gender, generations and geographies. Hub's participation at the Decade Conference will also enable the Hub to share lessons learned and best practices on the importance of research co-development for sustainable development to Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, industry and philanthropic leaders who will be present at the Conference. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed articles: M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 Narayanaswamy B et al (2020). A blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea ocean decade field program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. Howell K et al. (2021). "A decade to study deep-sea life." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. Howell K et al. (2021). "A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. McQuaid et.al. (2022). "Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements" Earth System Governance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Jacob C, Diederichsen SD, Fullbrook L, Lombard AT, Rees SE, Rivers N, Snow B, Strand M, Zuercher R, Niner HJ. (2023). "A two-way process - Social capacity as a driver and outcome of equitable marine spatial planning." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105507. Strand M, Rivers N, Baasch R, Snow B. (2022). "Developing arts-based participatory research for more inclusive knowledge co-production in Algoa Bay." Current Research in Environmental Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178. International recognition/endorsement: Endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 as the Ocean Decade Action in 2022 by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. See the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26. One Ocean Hub has been invited by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner on transdisciplinary in November 2021. To see the evidence of the co-development of the Implementing Partner proposal between the Hub and IOC UNESCO from November 2021 until December 2022 see email exchanges here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do Report: Sink K, McQuaid K, Atkinson L, Palmer R, Van der Heever G, Majied P, Loyiso D, Currie J, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K, Paterson A. (2022). "Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Policy brief: One Ocean Hub Policy Brief: "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." (2021). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. Blogposts: Febrica S. (2021). "Bringing transdiciplinarity in science-policy interface for ocean sustainability". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/bringing-transdiciplinarity-in-science-policy-interface-for-ocean-sustainability/. James A. (2021). "Reflections on engaged, transdisciplinary creative research practice." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-engaged-transdisciplinary-creative-research-practice/. McDonald L. (2021). "Artfully Sustaining the Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take?". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/. Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M, and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/. Maharaj P and Hills J. (2021). "The development of a transdiciplinary framewrok for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific/. Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/. Febrica S. (2021). "Considering the Ocean and Transdiciplinary Research in the UK's International Development Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-ocean-and-transdisciplinary-research-in-the-uks-international-development-strategy/. McDonald L. (2021). "Surfacing emotional connections with the sea: DEEP Fund Projects update." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/. Lavelle J. (2021) "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/. Events: UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 • The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April, tbc) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. • Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. • In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub adopts inter- and transdisciplinarity, working across disciplines including marine science, law, anthropology, sociology, history, and arts, as well as with diverse knowledge holders (see https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/). From the outset, the Hub has organized events to share iterative learning on its inter- and transdisciplinary practices, including events for the World Oceans Week (https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/) and the UN Nippon Fellow Alumni capacity-building programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=acRnJj4ckas&t=20s) in 2020. The Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK in November 2021 provided another opportunity for the Hub to showcase the values and contributions of the Hub transdisciplinary research in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to international partners and other stakeholders, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO that also acts as the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. This paved the way for closer collaboration between the Hub and IOC UNESCO/Ocean Decade on transdisciplinary research. Climate change is driving rapid and vast changes to the ocean and consequently the ways that people relate to it. Adaptation to these changes will be essential to maintain the services and values that it provides. Given the complexity of challenges posed by climate change multi-disciplinarity and science/policy engagement are key to build suitable adaptation and mitigation. There is a pressing need to integrate both different knowledge system, including traditional knowledge in ocean research and to work with varied and relevant stakeholders including traditional knowledge holder. This is a key understanding to ocean-climate solution shared by the Hub and IOC-UNESCO/UN Ocean Decade. In June 2022, the IOC-UNESCO endorsed the Hub "Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade; and in November 2021, the IOC-UNESCO invited the Hub to apply as an "Implementing Partner" of the Decade and co-develop a programme on transdiciplinarity. In October 2023 the IOC-UNESCO also endorsed the One Ocean Hub as Decade Implementation Partner focusing specifically on Challenge 10 but also addressing others that include Challenge 3, 4 and 5. As part of its role under this endorsement, the Hub will develop the Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance - supporting just, inclusive sustainable ocean governance and exploring its transferability to other Decade's projects and activities, the Hub will also respond to other Decade challenges - particularly Challenges 3, 4, and 5. In addition, the Transdisciplinary Toolbox promotes embedding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, multiple SDGs and the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, by integrating the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach in ocean research and governance. The Hub will present components of the Transdisciplinary Toolbox at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 in a satellite event that has been organized by the Hub through a partnership with University of Cardiff, and that has been approved by the Decade. The Challenges that the Transdisciplinary Toolbox addresses are detailed as follows: Challenge 10: Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean. Challenge 3: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions to optimise the role of the ocean in sustainably feeding the world's population under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 4: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 5: Enhance understanding of the ocean-climate nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change across all geographies and at all scales, and to improve services including predictions for the ocean, climate and weather. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; Rhodes University, South Africa). • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy; Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in the Global North: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), US; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Ocean Forum, US; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Germany; International Maritime Organization, UK; Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The United Nations proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO serves as the main coordinator of the Ocean Decade. The Hub collaboration with the (IOC) of UNESCO started during Climate COP26 in November 2021. The Hub led the co-organisation of High-Level Event for COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus during and at key events in the run up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The Pavilion is coordinated by Global Ocean Forum in collaboration with various partners such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to mention a few. The Hub has been a co-organiser of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion from 2021 until now. On 1st November 2021, the One Ocean Hub co-organised a roundtable titled 'Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion to bring together UN bodies and researchers from different disciplines on the ocean-climate nexus. The roundtable explored the need for joint interventions by the UN System and global organisations to build ocean resilience in the face of climate change, using sustainable and inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. The event was chaired by Mr Eden Charles, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub. It brought together high-level representatives from different UN bodies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, IOC-UNESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Hub researchers, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK). This event enabled the Hub to share progress and lessons learnt in transdisciplinary ocean research with a view to supporting science-policy interfaces that integrate different stakeholders and human rights-holders, as well as experts from marine sciences and social sciences, law, humanities and arts and shared key learnings with the IOC UNESCO who also serves as the Secretariat of the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The Hub key learnings shared during the event are listed in our policy brief titled "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" that is available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. In June 2022, the IOC UNESCO informed the Hub of their endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade due to the Hub's engagement and commitment to the Ocean Decade vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want" (see the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26). Research Programme 4 focuses on capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity through new deep-water surveys in one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems. It aims to develop new methods to predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Within the structure set out in the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan, individual projects are typically attached to endorsed Decade Programmes. One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 is attached to Decade Programme "Challenger 150 - A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life". Challenger 150 is a global cooperative aims 'to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, function and services provided by deep-ocean biota; and to use this new knowledge to educate, inspire, and promote better management and sustainable use of the deep ocean' (https://challenger150.world/). As part of the Ocean Decade the IOC UNESCO facilitates the effort of the ocean community in responding to the pressing need for adaptation strategies and science-policy responses to address problems affecting the ocean and peoples most dependent on it. To do so, the UN Ocean Decade endorses so-called Implementing Partners. Implementing Partners are selected stakeholder institutions, networks or groups that are committed to the vision and mission of the Decade, and that are making significant and sustained efforts to support the Decade through the implementation of specific tasks (see http://bit.ly/3l7GAwk). In November 2021, the IOC UNESCO invited the Hub to become an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner and to co-develop an Implementing Partner proposal focused on transdiciplinarity (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). As a Decade Implementing Partner on transdiciplinarity, the Hub will facilitate and coordinate national, regional and international contributions including workshop, event, exhibit, conference, and publications that contribute to Ocean Decade's commitment to co-designing research and solutions that is critical for revolutionizing ocean science and transforming ocean governance. The Hub is expecting to receive formal endorsement as the Decade Implementing Partner from the IOC UNESCO before mid 2023. Within the first three months of its mandate as a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub has envisaged and prepared three events for the UN Ocean Decade Conference and has committed to deliver a talk and take part in the UK National UN Decade Committee meeting taking place 5-6 March at the Edinburgh Napier University, where Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha will present. The events are designed to disseminate the finds in the field of transdisciplinary methods through its program Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance, as well as in the field of deep-sea research (Hub research program 4 - RP4), as part of its Decade Action mandate in relation to the Decade's Challenger 150 research program. In its capacity of Decade Implementing Partner (Transdisciplinary Toolbox), the Hub will deliver two knowledge sharing events within the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024. On 9 April, the Hub will deliver a Satellite event entitled Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance. The satellite event "Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" will be a three-tiered event consisting of a panel on the Hub's Ocean Knowledge Integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Nina Rivers, Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Mpume Mthombeni will be delivering this event's program. The satellite event regarding the Challenger 150 program will be delivered by Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another satellite event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. In addition to this, Nina Rivers will present a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The presentation will take place between 10 and 12 April 2024, within the regular program of the Conference. The UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's "Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" is developed based on Hub's research, experience and practices. As part of the Hub's role as a Decade Implementation Partnership endorsed in October 2023, the proposed transdisciplinary toolbox for ocean knowledge co-production supporting just, inclusive, and sustainable ocean governance represents the Hub's original product, envisaged as a program applicable at the international level as well as to a variety of geographical contexts. The Toolbox is envisaged adaptable and applicable to the programs of various and diverse Decade's partners through guidance of how to make the best use of the programme. It will also benefit the programs focusing on sustainable development beyond the ocean context. Responding to Challenge 10 (to 'ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean'), the Toolbox takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to transdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies, and research findings. It builds on the Hub's expertise in integrated approaches to the implementation of human rights, environmental law and the law of the sea, on the basis of aligned evidence from the marine and social sciences and the arts. It draws from the comprehensive and still evolving array of innovative research methodologies, activities and findings co-developed by the Hub and discussed with various partners (including international NGOs and various bodies of the UN System). This collaboration also promotes gender equality. 85 per cent of Hub researchers who will be attending and presenting at Decade Conference in April 2024 are women. Hub's contributions to the Conference that is expected to be the largest gathering for the global ocean community in 2024 will also explore the varying the conditions of success for the Ocean Decade including inclusivity, equity and diversity across gender, generations and geographies. Hub's participation at the Decade Conference will also enable the Hub to share lessons learned and best practices on the importance of research co-development for sustainable development to Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, industry and philanthropic leaders who will be present at the Conference. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed articles: M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 Narayanaswamy B et al (2020). A blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea ocean decade field program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. Howell K et al. (2021). "A decade to study deep-sea life." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. Howell K et al. (2021). "A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. McQuaid et.al. (2022). "Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements" Earth System Governance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Jacob C, Diederichsen SD, Fullbrook L, Lombard AT, Rees SE, Rivers N, Snow B, Strand M, Zuercher R, Niner HJ. (2023). "A two-way process - Social capacity as a driver and outcome of equitable marine spatial planning." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105507. Strand M, Rivers N, Baasch R, Snow B. (2022). "Developing arts-based participatory research for more inclusive knowledge co-production in Algoa Bay." Current Research in Environmental Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178. International recognition/endorsement: Endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 as the Ocean Decade Action in 2022 by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. See the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26. One Ocean Hub has been invited by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner on transdisciplinary in November 2021. To see the evidence of the co-development of the Implementing Partner proposal between the Hub and IOC UNESCO from November 2021 until December 2022 see email exchanges here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do Report: Sink K, McQuaid K, Atkinson L, Palmer R, Van der Heever G, Majied P, Loyiso D, Currie J, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K, Paterson A. (2022). "Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Policy brief: One Ocean Hub Policy Brief: "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." (2021). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. Blogposts: Febrica S. (2021). "Bringing transdiciplinarity in science-policy interface for ocean sustainability". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/bringing-transdiciplinarity-in-science-policy-interface-for-ocean-sustainability/. James A. (2021). "Reflections on engaged, transdisciplinary creative research practice." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-engaged-transdisciplinary-creative-research-practice/. McDonald L. (2021). "Artfully Sustaining the Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take?". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/. Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M, and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/. Maharaj P and Hills J. (2021). "The development of a transdiciplinary framewrok for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific/. Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/. Febrica S. (2021). "Considering the Ocean and Transdiciplinary Research in the UK's International Development Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-ocean-and-transdisciplinary-research-in-the-uks-international-development-strategy/. McDonald L. (2021). "Surfacing emotional connections with the sea: DEEP Fund Projects update." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/. Lavelle J. (2021) "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/. Events: UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 • The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April, tbc) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. • Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. • In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science |
| Organisation | United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub adopts inter- and transdisciplinarity, working across disciplines including marine science, law, anthropology, sociology, history, and arts, as well as with diverse knowledge holders (see https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/). From the outset, the Hub has organized events to share iterative learning on its inter- and transdisciplinary practices, including events for the World Oceans Week (https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/) and the UN Nippon Fellow Alumni capacity-building programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=acRnJj4ckas&t=20s) in 2020. The Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK in November 2021 provided another opportunity for the Hub to showcase the values and contributions of the Hub transdisciplinary research in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to international partners and other stakeholders, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO that also acts as the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. This paved the way for closer collaboration between the Hub and IOC UNESCO/Ocean Decade on transdisciplinary research. Climate change is driving rapid and vast changes to the ocean and consequently the ways that people relate to it. Adaptation to these changes will be essential to maintain the services and values that it provides. Given the complexity of challenges posed by climate change multi-disciplinarity and science/policy engagement are key to build suitable adaptation and mitigation. There is a pressing need to integrate both different knowledge system, including traditional knowledge in ocean research and to work with varied and relevant stakeholders including traditional knowledge holder. This is a key understanding to ocean-climate solution shared by the Hub and IOC-UNESCO/UN Ocean Decade. In June 2022, the IOC-UNESCO endorsed the Hub "Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade; and in November 2021, the IOC-UNESCO invited the Hub to apply as an "Implementing Partner" of the Decade and co-develop a programme on transdiciplinarity. In October 2023 the IOC-UNESCO also endorsed the One Ocean Hub as Decade Implementation Partner focusing specifically on Challenge 10 but also addressing others that include Challenge 3, 4 and 5. As part of its role under this endorsement, the Hub will develop the Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance - supporting just, inclusive sustainable ocean governance and exploring its transferability to other Decade's projects and activities, the Hub will also respond to other Decade challenges - particularly Challenges 3, 4, and 5. In addition, the Transdisciplinary Toolbox promotes embedding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, multiple SDGs and the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, by integrating the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach in ocean research and governance. The Hub will present components of the Transdisciplinary Toolbox at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 in a satellite event that has been organized by the Hub through a partnership with University of Cardiff, and that has been approved by the Decade. The Challenges that the Transdisciplinary Toolbox addresses are detailed as follows: Challenge 10: Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean. Challenge 3: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions to optimise the role of the ocean in sustainably feeding the world's population under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 4: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 5: Enhance understanding of the ocean-climate nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change across all geographies and at all scales, and to improve services including predictions for the ocean, climate and weather. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; Rhodes University, South Africa). • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy; Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in the Global North: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), US; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Ocean Forum, US; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Germany; International Maritime Organization, UK; Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The United Nations proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO serves as the main coordinator of the Ocean Decade. The Hub collaboration with the (IOC) of UNESCO started during Climate COP26 in November 2021. The Hub led the co-organisation of High-Level Event for COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus during and at key events in the run up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The Pavilion is coordinated by Global Ocean Forum in collaboration with various partners such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to mention a few. The Hub has been a co-organiser of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion from 2021 until now. On 1st November 2021, the One Ocean Hub co-organised a roundtable titled 'Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion to bring together UN bodies and researchers from different disciplines on the ocean-climate nexus. The roundtable explored the need for joint interventions by the UN System and global organisations to build ocean resilience in the face of climate change, using sustainable and inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. The event was chaired by Mr Eden Charles, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub. It brought together high-level representatives from different UN bodies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, IOC-UNESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Hub researchers, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK). This event enabled the Hub to share progress and lessons learnt in transdisciplinary ocean research with a view to supporting science-policy interfaces that integrate different stakeholders and human rights-holders, as well as experts from marine sciences and social sciences, law, humanities and arts and shared key learnings with the IOC UNESCO who also serves as the Secretariat of the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The Hub key learnings shared during the event are listed in our policy brief titled "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" that is available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. In June 2022, the IOC UNESCO informed the Hub of their endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade due to the Hub's engagement and commitment to the Ocean Decade vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want" (see the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26). Research Programme 4 focuses on capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity through new deep-water surveys in one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems. It aims to develop new methods to predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Within the structure set out in the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan, individual projects are typically attached to endorsed Decade Programmes. One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 is attached to Decade Programme "Challenger 150 - A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life". Challenger 150 is a global cooperative aims 'to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, function and services provided by deep-ocean biota; and to use this new knowledge to educate, inspire, and promote better management and sustainable use of the deep ocean' (https://challenger150.world/). As part of the Ocean Decade the IOC UNESCO facilitates the effort of the ocean community in responding to the pressing need for adaptation strategies and science-policy responses to address problems affecting the ocean and peoples most dependent on it. To do so, the UN Ocean Decade endorses so-called Implementing Partners. Implementing Partners are selected stakeholder institutions, networks or groups that are committed to the vision and mission of the Decade, and that are making significant and sustained efforts to support the Decade through the implementation of specific tasks (see http://bit.ly/3l7GAwk). In November 2021, the IOC UNESCO invited the Hub to become an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner and to co-develop an Implementing Partner proposal focused on transdiciplinarity (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). As a Decade Implementing Partner on transdiciplinarity, the Hub will facilitate and coordinate national, regional and international contributions including workshop, event, exhibit, conference, and publications that contribute to Ocean Decade's commitment to co-designing research and solutions that is critical for revolutionizing ocean science and transforming ocean governance. The Hub is expecting to receive formal endorsement as the Decade Implementing Partner from the IOC UNESCO before mid 2023. Within the first three months of its mandate as a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub has envisaged and prepared three events for the UN Ocean Decade Conference and has committed to deliver a talk and take part in the UK National UN Decade Committee meeting taking place 5-6 March at the Edinburgh Napier University, where Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha will present. The events are designed to disseminate the finds in the field of transdisciplinary methods through its program Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance, as well as in the field of deep-sea research (Hub research program 4 - RP4), as part of its Decade Action mandate in relation to the Decade's Challenger 150 research program. In its capacity of Decade Implementing Partner (Transdisciplinary Toolbox), the Hub will deliver two knowledge sharing events within the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024. On 9 April, the Hub will deliver a Satellite event entitled Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance. The satellite event "Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" will be a three-tiered event consisting of a panel on the Hub's Ocean Knowledge Integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Nina Rivers, Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Mpume Mthombeni will be delivering this event's program. The satellite event regarding the Challenger 150 program will be delivered by Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another satellite event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. In addition to this, Nina Rivers will present a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The presentation will take place between 10 and 12 April 2024, within the regular program of the Conference. The UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's "Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" is developed based on Hub's research, experience and practices. As part of the Hub's role as a Decade Implementation Partnership endorsed in October 2023, the proposed transdisciplinary toolbox for ocean knowledge co-production supporting just, inclusive, and sustainable ocean governance represents the Hub's original product, envisaged as a program applicable at the international level as well as to a variety of geographical contexts. The Toolbox is envisaged adaptable and applicable to the programs of various and diverse Decade's partners through guidance of how to make the best use of the programme. It will also benefit the programs focusing on sustainable development beyond the ocean context. Responding to Challenge 10 (to 'ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean'), the Toolbox takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to transdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies, and research findings. It builds on the Hub's expertise in integrated approaches to the implementation of human rights, environmental law and the law of the sea, on the basis of aligned evidence from the marine and social sciences and the arts. It draws from the comprehensive and still evolving array of innovative research methodologies, activities and findings co-developed by the Hub and discussed with various partners (including international NGOs and various bodies of the UN System). This collaboration also promotes gender equality. 85 per cent of Hub researchers who will be attending and presenting at Decade Conference in April 2024 are women. Hub's contributions to the Conference that is expected to be the largest gathering for the global ocean community in 2024 will also explore the varying the conditions of success for the Ocean Decade including inclusivity, equity and diversity across gender, generations and geographies. Hub's participation at the Decade Conference will also enable the Hub to share lessons learned and best practices on the importance of research co-development for sustainable development to Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, industry and philanthropic leaders who will be present at the Conference. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed articles: M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 Narayanaswamy B et al (2020). A blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea ocean decade field program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. Howell K et al. (2021). "A decade to study deep-sea life." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. Howell K et al. (2021). "A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. McQuaid et.al. (2022). "Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements" Earth System Governance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Jacob C, Diederichsen SD, Fullbrook L, Lombard AT, Rees SE, Rivers N, Snow B, Strand M, Zuercher R, Niner HJ. (2023). "A two-way process - Social capacity as a driver and outcome of equitable marine spatial planning." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105507. Strand M, Rivers N, Baasch R, Snow B. (2022). "Developing arts-based participatory research for more inclusive knowledge co-production in Algoa Bay." Current Research in Environmental Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178. International recognition/endorsement: Endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 as the Ocean Decade Action in 2022 by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. See the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26. One Ocean Hub has been invited by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner on transdisciplinary in November 2021. To see the evidence of the co-development of the Implementing Partner proposal between the Hub and IOC UNESCO from November 2021 until December 2022 see email exchanges here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do Report: Sink K, McQuaid K, Atkinson L, Palmer R, Van der Heever G, Majied P, Loyiso D, Currie J, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K, Paterson A. (2022). "Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Policy brief: One Ocean Hub Policy Brief: "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." (2021). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. Blogposts: Febrica S. (2021). "Bringing transdiciplinarity in science-policy interface for ocean sustainability". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/bringing-transdiciplinarity-in-science-policy-interface-for-ocean-sustainability/. James A. (2021). "Reflections on engaged, transdisciplinary creative research practice." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-engaged-transdisciplinary-creative-research-practice/. McDonald L. (2021). "Artfully Sustaining the Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take?". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/. Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M, and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/. Maharaj P and Hills J. (2021). "The development of a transdiciplinary framewrok for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific/. Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/. Febrica S. (2021). "Considering the Ocean and Transdiciplinary Research in the UK's International Development Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-ocean-and-transdisciplinary-research-in-the-uks-international-development-strategy/. McDonald L. (2021). "Surfacing emotional connections with the sea: DEEP Fund Projects update." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/. Lavelle J. (2021) "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/. Events: UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 • The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April, tbc) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. • Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. • In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science |
| Organisation | University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
| Department | Scripps Institution of Oceanography |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub adopts inter- and transdisciplinarity, working across disciplines including marine science, law, anthropology, sociology, history, and arts, as well as with diverse knowledge holders (see https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/). From the outset, the Hub has organized events to share iterative learning on its inter- and transdisciplinary practices, including events for the World Oceans Week (https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/) and the UN Nippon Fellow Alumni capacity-building programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=acRnJj4ckas&t=20s) in 2020. The Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK in November 2021 provided another opportunity for the Hub to showcase the values and contributions of the Hub transdisciplinary research in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to international partners and other stakeholders, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO that also acts as the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. This paved the way for closer collaboration between the Hub and IOC UNESCO/Ocean Decade on transdisciplinary research. Climate change is driving rapid and vast changes to the ocean and consequently the ways that people relate to it. Adaptation to these changes will be essential to maintain the services and values that it provides. Given the complexity of challenges posed by climate change multi-disciplinarity and science/policy engagement are key to build suitable adaptation and mitigation. There is a pressing need to integrate both different knowledge system, including traditional knowledge in ocean research and to work with varied and relevant stakeholders including traditional knowledge holder. This is a key understanding to ocean-climate solution shared by the Hub and IOC-UNESCO/UN Ocean Decade. In June 2022, the IOC-UNESCO endorsed the Hub "Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade; and in November 2021, the IOC-UNESCO invited the Hub to apply as an "Implementing Partner" of the Decade and co-develop a programme on transdiciplinarity. In October 2023 the IOC-UNESCO also endorsed the One Ocean Hub as Decade Implementation Partner focusing specifically on Challenge 10 but also addressing others that include Challenge 3, 4 and 5. As part of its role under this endorsement, the Hub will develop the Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance - supporting just, inclusive sustainable ocean governance and exploring its transferability to other Decade's projects and activities, the Hub will also respond to other Decade challenges - particularly Challenges 3, 4, and 5. In addition, the Transdisciplinary Toolbox promotes embedding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, multiple SDGs and the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, by integrating the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach in ocean research and governance. The Hub will present components of the Transdisciplinary Toolbox at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 in a satellite event that has been organized by the Hub through a partnership with University of Cardiff, and that has been approved by the Decade. The Challenges that the Transdisciplinary Toolbox addresses are detailed as follows: Challenge 10: Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean. Challenge 3: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions to optimise the role of the ocean in sustainably feeding the world's population under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 4: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 5: Enhance understanding of the ocean-climate nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change across all geographies and at all scales, and to improve services including predictions for the ocean, climate and weather. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; Rhodes University, South Africa). • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy; Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in the Global North: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), US; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Ocean Forum, US; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Germany; International Maritime Organization, UK; Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The United Nations proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO serves as the main coordinator of the Ocean Decade. The Hub collaboration with the (IOC) of UNESCO started during Climate COP26 in November 2021. The Hub led the co-organisation of High-Level Event for COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus during and at key events in the run up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The Pavilion is coordinated by Global Ocean Forum in collaboration with various partners such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to mention a few. The Hub has been a co-organiser of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion from 2021 until now. On 1st November 2021, the One Ocean Hub co-organised a roundtable titled 'Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion to bring together UN bodies and researchers from different disciplines on the ocean-climate nexus. The roundtable explored the need for joint interventions by the UN System and global organisations to build ocean resilience in the face of climate change, using sustainable and inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. The event was chaired by Mr Eden Charles, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub. It brought together high-level representatives from different UN bodies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, IOC-UNESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Hub researchers, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK). This event enabled the Hub to share progress and lessons learnt in transdisciplinary ocean research with a view to supporting science-policy interfaces that integrate different stakeholders and human rights-holders, as well as experts from marine sciences and social sciences, law, humanities and arts and shared key learnings with the IOC UNESCO who also serves as the Secretariat of the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The Hub key learnings shared during the event are listed in our policy brief titled "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" that is available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. In June 2022, the IOC UNESCO informed the Hub of their endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade due to the Hub's engagement and commitment to the Ocean Decade vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want" (see the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26). Research Programme 4 focuses on capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity through new deep-water surveys in one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems. It aims to develop new methods to predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Within the structure set out in the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan, individual projects are typically attached to endorsed Decade Programmes. One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 is attached to Decade Programme "Challenger 150 - A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life". Challenger 150 is a global cooperative aims 'to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, function and services provided by deep-ocean biota; and to use this new knowledge to educate, inspire, and promote better management and sustainable use of the deep ocean' (https://challenger150.world/). As part of the Ocean Decade the IOC UNESCO facilitates the effort of the ocean community in responding to the pressing need for adaptation strategies and science-policy responses to address problems affecting the ocean and peoples most dependent on it. To do so, the UN Ocean Decade endorses so-called Implementing Partners. Implementing Partners are selected stakeholder institutions, networks or groups that are committed to the vision and mission of the Decade, and that are making significant and sustained efforts to support the Decade through the implementation of specific tasks (see http://bit.ly/3l7GAwk). In November 2021, the IOC UNESCO invited the Hub to become an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner and to co-develop an Implementing Partner proposal focused on transdiciplinarity (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). As a Decade Implementing Partner on transdiciplinarity, the Hub will facilitate and coordinate national, regional and international contributions including workshop, event, exhibit, conference, and publications that contribute to Ocean Decade's commitment to co-designing research and solutions that is critical for revolutionizing ocean science and transforming ocean governance. The Hub is expecting to receive formal endorsement as the Decade Implementing Partner from the IOC UNESCO before mid 2023. Within the first three months of its mandate as a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub has envisaged and prepared three events for the UN Ocean Decade Conference and has committed to deliver a talk and take part in the UK National UN Decade Committee meeting taking place 5-6 March at the Edinburgh Napier University, where Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha will present. The events are designed to disseminate the finds in the field of transdisciplinary methods through its program Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance, as well as in the field of deep-sea research (Hub research program 4 - RP4), as part of its Decade Action mandate in relation to the Decade's Challenger 150 research program. In its capacity of Decade Implementing Partner (Transdisciplinary Toolbox), the Hub will deliver two knowledge sharing events within the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024. On 9 April, the Hub will deliver a Satellite event entitled Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance. The satellite event "Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" will be a three-tiered event consisting of a panel on the Hub's Ocean Knowledge Integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Nina Rivers, Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Mpume Mthombeni will be delivering this event's program. The satellite event regarding the Challenger 150 program will be delivered by Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another satellite event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. In addition to this, Nina Rivers will present a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The presentation will take place between 10 and 12 April 2024, within the regular program of the Conference. The UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's "Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" is developed based on Hub's research, experience and practices. As part of the Hub's role as a Decade Implementation Partnership endorsed in October 2023, the proposed transdisciplinary toolbox for ocean knowledge co-production supporting just, inclusive, and sustainable ocean governance represents the Hub's original product, envisaged as a program applicable at the international level as well as to a variety of geographical contexts. The Toolbox is envisaged adaptable and applicable to the programs of various and diverse Decade's partners through guidance of how to make the best use of the programme. It will also benefit the programs focusing on sustainable development beyond the ocean context. Responding to Challenge 10 (to 'ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean'), the Toolbox takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to transdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies, and research findings. It builds on the Hub's expertise in integrated approaches to the implementation of human rights, environmental law and the law of the sea, on the basis of aligned evidence from the marine and social sciences and the arts. It draws from the comprehensive and still evolving array of innovative research methodologies, activities and findings co-developed by the Hub and discussed with various partners (including international NGOs and various bodies of the UN System). This collaboration also promotes gender equality. 85 per cent of Hub researchers who will be attending and presenting at Decade Conference in April 2024 are women. Hub's contributions to the Conference that is expected to be the largest gathering for the global ocean community in 2024 will also explore the varying the conditions of success for the Ocean Decade including inclusivity, equity and diversity across gender, generations and geographies. Hub's participation at the Decade Conference will also enable the Hub to share lessons learned and best practices on the importance of research co-development for sustainable development to Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, industry and philanthropic leaders who will be present at the Conference. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed articles: M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 Narayanaswamy B et al (2020). A blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea ocean decade field program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. Howell K et al. (2021). "A decade to study deep-sea life." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. Howell K et al. (2021). "A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. McQuaid et.al. (2022). "Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements" Earth System Governance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Jacob C, Diederichsen SD, Fullbrook L, Lombard AT, Rees SE, Rivers N, Snow B, Strand M, Zuercher R, Niner HJ. (2023). "A two-way process - Social capacity as a driver and outcome of equitable marine spatial planning." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105507. Strand M, Rivers N, Baasch R, Snow B. (2022). "Developing arts-based participatory research for more inclusive knowledge co-production in Algoa Bay." Current Research in Environmental Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178. International recognition/endorsement: Endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 as the Ocean Decade Action in 2022 by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. See the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26. One Ocean Hub has been invited by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner on transdisciplinary in November 2021. To see the evidence of the co-development of the Implementing Partner proposal between the Hub and IOC UNESCO from November 2021 until December 2022 see email exchanges here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do Report: Sink K, McQuaid K, Atkinson L, Palmer R, Van der Heever G, Majied P, Loyiso D, Currie J, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K, Paterson A. (2022). "Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Policy brief: One Ocean Hub Policy Brief: "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." (2021). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. Blogposts: Febrica S. (2021). "Bringing transdiciplinarity in science-policy interface for ocean sustainability". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/bringing-transdiciplinarity-in-science-policy-interface-for-ocean-sustainability/. James A. (2021). "Reflections on engaged, transdisciplinary creative research practice." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-engaged-transdisciplinary-creative-research-practice/. McDonald L. (2021). "Artfully Sustaining the Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take?". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/. Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M, and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/. Maharaj P and Hills J. (2021). "The development of a transdiciplinary framewrok for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific/. Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/. Febrica S. (2021). "Considering the Ocean and Transdiciplinary Research in the UK's International Development Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-ocean-and-transdisciplinary-research-in-the-uks-international-development-strategy/. McDonald L. (2021). "Surfacing emotional connections with the sea: DEEP Fund Projects update." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/. Lavelle J. (2021) "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/. Events: UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 • The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April, tbc) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. • Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. • In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub adopts inter- and transdisciplinarity, working across disciplines including marine science, law, anthropology, sociology, history, and arts, as well as with diverse knowledge holders (see https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/). From the outset, the Hub has organized events to share iterative learning on its inter- and transdisciplinary practices, including events for the World Oceans Week (https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/) and the UN Nippon Fellow Alumni capacity-building programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=acRnJj4ckas&t=20s) in 2020. The Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK in November 2021 provided another opportunity for the Hub to showcase the values and contributions of the Hub transdisciplinary research in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to international partners and other stakeholders, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO that also acts as the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. This paved the way for closer collaboration between the Hub and IOC UNESCO/Ocean Decade on transdisciplinary research. Climate change is driving rapid and vast changes to the ocean and consequently the ways that people relate to it. Adaptation to these changes will be essential to maintain the services and values that it provides. Given the complexity of challenges posed by climate change multi-disciplinarity and science/policy engagement are key to build suitable adaptation and mitigation. There is a pressing need to integrate both different knowledge system, including traditional knowledge in ocean research and to work with varied and relevant stakeholders including traditional knowledge holder. This is a key understanding to ocean-climate solution shared by the Hub and IOC-UNESCO/UN Ocean Decade. In June 2022, the IOC-UNESCO endorsed the Hub "Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade; and in November 2021, the IOC-UNESCO invited the Hub to apply as an "Implementing Partner" of the Decade and co-develop a programme on transdiciplinarity. In October 2023 the IOC-UNESCO also endorsed the One Ocean Hub as Decade Implementation Partner focusing specifically on Challenge 10 but also addressing others that include Challenge 3, 4 and 5. As part of its role under this endorsement, the Hub will develop the Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance - supporting just, inclusive sustainable ocean governance and exploring its transferability to other Decade's projects and activities, the Hub will also respond to other Decade challenges - particularly Challenges 3, 4, and 5. In addition, the Transdisciplinary Toolbox promotes embedding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, multiple SDGs and the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, by integrating the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach in ocean research and governance. The Hub will present components of the Transdisciplinary Toolbox at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 in a satellite event that has been organized by the Hub through a partnership with University of Cardiff, and that has been approved by the Decade. The Challenges that the Transdisciplinary Toolbox addresses are detailed as follows: Challenge 10: Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean. Challenge 3: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions to optimise the role of the ocean in sustainably feeding the world's population under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 4: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 5: Enhance understanding of the ocean-climate nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change across all geographies and at all scales, and to improve services including predictions for the ocean, climate and weather. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; Rhodes University, South Africa). • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy; Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in the Global North: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), US; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Ocean Forum, US; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Germany; International Maritime Organization, UK; Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The United Nations proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO serves as the main coordinator of the Ocean Decade. The Hub collaboration with the (IOC) of UNESCO started during Climate COP26 in November 2021. The Hub led the co-organisation of High-Level Event for COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus during and at key events in the run up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The Pavilion is coordinated by Global Ocean Forum in collaboration with various partners such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to mention a few. The Hub has been a co-organiser of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion from 2021 until now. On 1st November 2021, the One Ocean Hub co-organised a roundtable titled 'Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion to bring together UN bodies and researchers from different disciplines on the ocean-climate nexus. The roundtable explored the need for joint interventions by the UN System and global organisations to build ocean resilience in the face of climate change, using sustainable and inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. The event was chaired by Mr Eden Charles, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub. It brought together high-level representatives from different UN bodies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, IOC-UNESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Hub researchers, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK). This event enabled the Hub to share progress and lessons learnt in transdisciplinary ocean research with a view to supporting science-policy interfaces that integrate different stakeholders and human rights-holders, as well as experts from marine sciences and social sciences, law, humanities and arts and shared key learnings with the IOC UNESCO who also serves as the Secretariat of the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The Hub key learnings shared during the event are listed in our policy brief titled "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" that is available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. In June 2022, the IOC UNESCO informed the Hub of their endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade due to the Hub's engagement and commitment to the Ocean Decade vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want" (see the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26). Research Programme 4 focuses on capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity through new deep-water surveys in one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems. It aims to develop new methods to predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Within the structure set out in the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan, individual projects are typically attached to endorsed Decade Programmes. One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 is attached to Decade Programme "Challenger 150 - A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life". Challenger 150 is a global cooperative aims 'to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, function and services provided by deep-ocean biota; and to use this new knowledge to educate, inspire, and promote better management and sustainable use of the deep ocean' (https://challenger150.world/). As part of the Ocean Decade the IOC UNESCO facilitates the effort of the ocean community in responding to the pressing need for adaptation strategies and science-policy responses to address problems affecting the ocean and peoples most dependent on it. To do so, the UN Ocean Decade endorses so-called Implementing Partners. Implementing Partners are selected stakeholder institutions, networks or groups that are committed to the vision and mission of the Decade, and that are making significant and sustained efforts to support the Decade through the implementation of specific tasks (see http://bit.ly/3l7GAwk). In November 2021, the IOC UNESCO invited the Hub to become an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner and to co-develop an Implementing Partner proposal focused on transdiciplinarity (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). As a Decade Implementing Partner on transdiciplinarity, the Hub will facilitate and coordinate national, regional and international contributions including workshop, event, exhibit, conference, and publications that contribute to Ocean Decade's commitment to co-designing research and solutions that is critical for revolutionizing ocean science and transforming ocean governance. The Hub is expecting to receive formal endorsement as the Decade Implementing Partner from the IOC UNESCO before mid 2023. Within the first three months of its mandate as a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub has envisaged and prepared three events for the UN Ocean Decade Conference and has committed to deliver a talk and take part in the UK National UN Decade Committee meeting taking place 5-6 March at the Edinburgh Napier University, where Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha will present. The events are designed to disseminate the finds in the field of transdisciplinary methods through its program Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance, as well as in the field of deep-sea research (Hub research program 4 - RP4), as part of its Decade Action mandate in relation to the Decade's Challenger 150 research program. In its capacity of Decade Implementing Partner (Transdisciplinary Toolbox), the Hub will deliver two knowledge sharing events within the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024. On 9 April, the Hub will deliver a Satellite event entitled Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance. The satellite event "Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" will be a three-tiered event consisting of a panel on the Hub's Ocean Knowledge Integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Nina Rivers, Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Mpume Mthombeni will be delivering this event's program. The satellite event regarding the Challenger 150 program will be delivered by Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another satellite event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. In addition to this, Nina Rivers will present a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The presentation will take place between 10 and 12 April 2024, within the regular program of the Conference. The UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's "Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" is developed based on Hub's research, experience and practices. As part of the Hub's role as a Decade Implementation Partnership endorsed in October 2023, the proposed transdisciplinary toolbox for ocean knowledge co-production supporting just, inclusive, and sustainable ocean governance represents the Hub's original product, envisaged as a program applicable at the international level as well as to a variety of geographical contexts. The Toolbox is envisaged adaptable and applicable to the programs of various and diverse Decade's partners through guidance of how to make the best use of the programme. It will also benefit the programs focusing on sustainable development beyond the ocean context. Responding to Challenge 10 (to 'ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean'), the Toolbox takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to transdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies, and research findings. It builds on the Hub's expertise in integrated approaches to the implementation of human rights, environmental law and the law of the sea, on the basis of aligned evidence from the marine and social sciences and the arts. It draws from the comprehensive and still evolving array of innovative research methodologies, activities and findings co-developed by the Hub and discussed with various partners (including international NGOs and various bodies of the UN System). This collaboration also promotes gender equality. 85 per cent of Hub researchers who will be attending and presenting at Decade Conference in April 2024 are women. Hub's contributions to the Conference that is expected to be the largest gathering for the global ocean community in 2024 will also explore the varying the conditions of success for the Ocean Decade including inclusivity, equity and diversity across gender, generations and geographies. Hub's participation at the Decade Conference will also enable the Hub to share lessons learned and best practices on the importance of research co-development for sustainable development to Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, industry and philanthropic leaders who will be present at the Conference. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed articles: M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 Narayanaswamy B et al (2020). A blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea ocean decade field program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. Howell K et al. (2021). "A decade to study deep-sea life." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. Howell K et al. (2021). "A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. McQuaid et.al. (2022). "Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements" Earth System Governance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Jacob C, Diederichsen SD, Fullbrook L, Lombard AT, Rees SE, Rivers N, Snow B, Strand M, Zuercher R, Niner HJ. (2023). "A two-way process - Social capacity as a driver and outcome of equitable marine spatial planning." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105507. Strand M, Rivers N, Baasch R, Snow B. (2022). "Developing arts-based participatory research for more inclusive knowledge co-production in Algoa Bay." Current Research in Environmental Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178. International recognition/endorsement: Endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 as the Ocean Decade Action in 2022 by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. See the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26. One Ocean Hub has been invited by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner on transdisciplinary in November 2021. To see the evidence of the co-development of the Implementing Partner proposal between the Hub and IOC UNESCO from November 2021 until December 2022 see email exchanges here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do Report: Sink K, McQuaid K, Atkinson L, Palmer R, Van der Heever G, Majied P, Loyiso D, Currie J, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K, Paterson A. (2022). "Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Policy brief: One Ocean Hub Policy Brief: "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." (2021). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. Blogposts: Febrica S. (2021). "Bringing transdiciplinarity in science-policy interface for ocean sustainability". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/bringing-transdiciplinarity-in-science-policy-interface-for-ocean-sustainability/. James A. (2021). "Reflections on engaged, transdisciplinary creative research practice." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-engaged-transdisciplinary-creative-research-practice/. McDonald L. (2021). "Artfully Sustaining the Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take?". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/. Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M, and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/. Maharaj P and Hills J. (2021). "The development of a transdiciplinary framewrok for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific/. Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/. Febrica S. (2021). "Considering the Ocean and Transdiciplinary Research in the UK's International Development Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-ocean-and-transdisciplinary-research-in-the-uks-international-development-strategy/. McDonald L. (2021). "Surfacing emotional connections with the sea: DEEP Fund Projects update." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/. Lavelle J. (2021) "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/. Events: UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 • The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April, tbc) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. • Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. • In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science |
| Organisation | University of Namibia |
| Country | Namibia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub adopts inter- and transdisciplinarity, working across disciplines including marine science, law, anthropology, sociology, history, and arts, as well as with diverse knowledge holders (see https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/). From the outset, the Hub has organized events to share iterative learning on its inter- and transdisciplinary practices, including events for the World Oceans Week (https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/) and the UN Nippon Fellow Alumni capacity-building programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=acRnJj4ckas&t=20s) in 2020. The Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK in November 2021 provided another opportunity for the Hub to showcase the values and contributions of the Hub transdisciplinary research in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to international partners and other stakeholders, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO that also acts as the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. This paved the way for closer collaboration between the Hub and IOC UNESCO/Ocean Decade on transdisciplinary research. Climate change is driving rapid and vast changes to the ocean and consequently the ways that people relate to it. Adaptation to these changes will be essential to maintain the services and values that it provides. Given the complexity of challenges posed by climate change multi-disciplinarity and science/policy engagement are key to build suitable adaptation and mitigation. There is a pressing need to integrate both different knowledge system, including traditional knowledge in ocean research and to work with varied and relevant stakeholders including traditional knowledge holder. This is a key understanding to ocean-climate solution shared by the Hub and IOC-UNESCO/UN Ocean Decade. In June 2022, the IOC-UNESCO endorsed the Hub "Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade; and in November 2021, the IOC-UNESCO invited the Hub to apply as an "Implementing Partner" of the Decade and co-develop a programme on transdiciplinarity. In October 2023 the IOC-UNESCO also endorsed the One Ocean Hub as Decade Implementation Partner focusing specifically on Challenge 10 but also addressing others that include Challenge 3, 4 and 5. As part of its role under this endorsement, the Hub will develop the Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance - supporting just, inclusive sustainable ocean governance and exploring its transferability to other Decade's projects and activities, the Hub will also respond to other Decade challenges - particularly Challenges 3, 4, and 5. In addition, the Transdisciplinary Toolbox promotes embedding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, multiple SDGs and the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, by integrating the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach in ocean research and governance. The Hub will present components of the Transdisciplinary Toolbox at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 in a satellite event that has been organized by the Hub through a partnership with University of Cardiff, and that has been approved by the Decade. The Challenges that the Transdisciplinary Toolbox addresses are detailed as follows: Challenge 10: Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean. Challenge 3: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions to optimise the role of the ocean in sustainably feeding the world's population under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 4: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 5: Enhance understanding of the ocean-climate nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change across all geographies and at all scales, and to improve services including predictions for the ocean, climate and weather. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; Rhodes University, South Africa). • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy; Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in the Global North: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), US; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Ocean Forum, US; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Germany; International Maritime Organization, UK; Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The United Nations proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO serves as the main coordinator of the Ocean Decade. The Hub collaboration with the (IOC) of UNESCO started during Climate COP26 in November 2021. The Hub led the co-organisation of High-Level Event for COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus during and at key events in the run up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The Pavilion is coordinated by Global Ocean Forum in collaboration with various partners such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to mention a few. The Hub has been a co-organiser of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion from 2021 until now. On 1st November 2021, the One Ocean Hub co-organised a roundtable titled 'Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion to bring together UN bodies and researchers from different disciplines on the ocean-climate nexus. The roundtable explored the need for joint interventions by the UN System and global organisations to build ocean resilience in the face of climate change, using sustainable and inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. The event was chaired by Mr Eden Charles, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub. It brought together high-level representatives from different UN bodies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, IOC-UNESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Hub researchers, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK). This event enabled the Hub to share progress and lessons learnt in transdisciplinary ocean research with a view to supporting science-policy interfaces that integrate different stakeholders and human rights-holders, as well as experts from marine sciences and social sciences, law, humanities and arts and shared key learnings with the IOC UNESCO who also serves as the Secretariat of the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The Hub key learnings shared during the event are listed in our policy brief titled "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" that is available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. In June 2022, the IOC UNESCO informed the Hub of their endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade due to the Hub's engagement and commitment to the Ocean Decade vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want" (see the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26). Research Programme 4 focuses on capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity through new deep-water surveys in one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems. It aims to develop new methods to predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Within the structure set out in the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan, individual projects are typically attached to endorsed Decade Programmes. One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 is attached to Decade Programme "Challenger 150 - A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life". Challenger 150 is a global cooperative aims 'to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, function and services provided by deep-ocean biota; and to use this new knowledge to educate, inspire, and promote better management and sustainable use of the deep ocean' (https://challenger150.world/). As part of the Ocean Decade the IOC UNESCO facilitates the effort of the ocean community in responding to the pressing need for adaptation strategies and science-policy responses to address problems affecting the ocean and peoples most dependent on it. To do so, the UN Ocean Decade endorses so-called Implementing Partners. Implementing Partners are selected stakeholder institutions, networks or groups that are committed to the vision and mission of the Decade, and that are making significant and sustained efforts to support the Decade through the implementation of specific tasks (see http://bit.ly/3l7GAwk). In November 2021, the IOC UNESCO invited the Hub to become an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner and to co-develop an Implementing Partner proposal focused on transdiciplinarity (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). As a Decade Implementing Partner on transdiciplinarity, the Hub will facilitate and coordinate national, regional and international contributions including workshop, event, exhibit, conference, and publications that contribute to Ocean Decade's commitment to co-designing research and solutions that is critical for revolutionizing ocean science and transforming ocean governance. The Hub is expecting to receive formal endorsement as the Decade Implementing Partner from the IOC UNESCO before mid 2023. Within the first three months of its mandate as a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub has envisaged and prepared three events for the UN Ocean Decade Conference and has committed to deliver a talk and take part in the UK National UN Decade Committee meeting taking place 5-6 March at the Edinburgh Napier University, where Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha will present. The events are designed to disseminate the finds in the field of transdisciplinary methods through its program Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance, as well as in the field of deep-sea research (Hub research program 4 - RP4), as part of its Decade Action mandate in relation to the Decade's Challenger 150 research program. In its capacity of Decade Implementing Partner (Transdisciplinary Toolbox), the Hub will deliver two knowledge sharing events within the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024. On 9 April, the Hub will deliver a Satellite event entitled Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance. The satellite event "Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" will be a three-tiered event consisting of a panel on the Hub's Ocean Knowledge Integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Nina Rivers, Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Mpume Mthombeni will be delivering this event's program. The satellite event regarding the Challenger 150 program will be delivered by Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another satellite event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. In addition to this, Nina Rivers will present a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The presentation will take place between 10 and 12 April 2024, within the regular program of the Conference. The UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's "Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" is developed based on Hub's research, experience and practices. As part of the Hub's role as a Decade Implementation Partnership endorsed in October 2023, the proposed transdisciplinary toolbox for ocean knowledge co-production supporting just, inclusive, and sustainable ocean governance represents the Hub's original product, envisaged as a program applicable at the international level as well as to a variety of geographical contexts. The Toolbox is envisaged adaptable and applicable to the programs of various and diverse Decade's partners through guidance of how to make the best use of the programme. It will also benefit the programs focusing on sustainable development beyond the ocean context. Responding to Challenge 10 (to 'ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean'), the Toolbox takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to transdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies, and research findings. It builds on the Hub's expertise in integrated approaches to the implementation of human rights, environmental law and the law of the sea, on the basis of aligned evidence from the marine and social sciences and the arts. It draws from the comprehensive and still evolving array of innovative research methodologies, activities and findings co-developed by the Hub and discussed with various partners (including international NGOs and various bodies of the UN System). This collaboration also promotes gender equality. 85 per cent of Hub researchers who will be attending and presenting at Decade Conference in April 2024 are women. Hub's contributions to the Conference that is expected to be the largest gathering for the global ocean community in 2024 will also explore the varying the conditions of success for the Ocean Decade including inclusivity, equity and diversity across gender, generations and geographies. Hub's participation at the Decade Conference will also enable the Hub to share lessons learned and best practices on the importance of research co-development for sustainable development to Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, industry and philanthropic leaders who will be present at the Conference. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed articles: M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 Narayanaswamy B et al (2020). A blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea ocean decade field program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. Howell K et al. (2021). "A decade to study deep-sea life." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. Howell K et al. (2021). "A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. McQuaid et.al. (2022). "Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements" Earth System Governance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Jacob C, Diederichsen SD, Fullbrook L, Lombard AT, Rees SE, Rivers N, Snow B, Strand M, Zuercher R, Niner HJ. (2023). "A two-way process - Social capacity as a driver and outcome of equitable marine spatial planning." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105507. Strand M, Rivers N, Baasch R, Snow B. (2022). "Developing arts-based participatory research for more inclusive knowledge co-production in Algoa Bay." Current Research in Environmental Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178. International recognition/endorsement: Endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 as the Ocean Decade Action in 2022 by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. See the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26. One Ocean Hub has been invited by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner on transdisciplinary in November 2021. To see the evidence of the co-development of the Implementing Partner proposal between the Hub and IOC UNESCO from November 2021 until December 2022 see email exchanges here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do Report: Sink K, McQuaid K, Atkinson L, Palmer R, Van der Heever G, Majied P, Loyiso D, Currie J, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K, Paterson A. (2022). "Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Policy brief: One Ocean Hub Policy Brief: "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." (2021). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. Blogposts: Febrica S. (2021). "Bringing transdiciplinarity in science-policy interface for ocean sustainability". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/bringing-transdiciplinarity-in-science-policy-interface-for-ocean-sustainability/. James A. (2021). "Reflections on engaged, transdisciplinary creative research practice." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-engaged-transdisciplinary-creative-research-practice/. McDonald L. (2021). "Artfully Sustaining the Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take?". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/. Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M, and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/. Maharaj P and Hills J. (2021). "The development of a transdiciplinary framewrok for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific/. Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/. Febrica S. (2021). "Considering the Ocean and Transdiciplinary Research in the UK's International Development Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-ocean-and-transdisciplinary-research-in-the-uks-international-development-strategy/. McDonald L. (2021). "Surfacing emotional connections with the sea: DEEP Fund Projects update." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/. Lavelle J. (2021) "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/. Events: UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 • The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April, tbc) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. • Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. • In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub adopts inter- and transdisciplinarity, working across disciplines including marine science, law, anthropology, sociology, history, and arts, as well as with diverse knowledge holders (see https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/). From the outset, the Hub has organized events to share iterative learning on its inter- and transdisciplinary practices, including events for the World Oceans Week (https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/) and the UN Nippon Fellow Alumni capacity-building programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=acRnJj4ckas&t=20s) in 2020. The Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK in November 2021 provided another opportunity for the Hub to showcase the values and contributions of the Hub transdisciplinary research in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to international partners and other stakeholders, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO that also acts as the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. This paved the way for closer collaboration between the Hub and IOC UNESCO/Ocean Decade on transdisciplinary research. Climate change is driving rapid and vast changes to the ocean and consequently the ways that people relate to it. Adaptation to these changes will be essential to maintain the services and values that it provides. Given the complexity of challenges posed by climate change multi-disciplinarity and science/policy engagement are key to build suitable adaptation and mitigation. There is a pressing need to integrate both different knowledge system, including traditional knowledge in ocean research and to work with varied and relevant stakeholders including traditional knowledge holder. This is a key understanding to ocean-climate solution shared by the Hub and IOC-UNESCO/UN Ocean Decade. In June 2022, the IOC-UNESCO endorsed the Hub "Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade; and in November 2021, the IOC-UNESCO invited the Hub to apply as an "Implementing Partner" of the Decade and co-develop a programme on transdiciplinarity. In October 2023 the IOC-UNESCO also endorsed the One Ocean Hub as Decade Implementation Partner focusing specifically on Challenge 10 but also addressing others that include Challenge 3, 4 and 5. As part of its role under this endorsement, the Hub will develop the Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance - supporting just, inclusive sustainable ocean governance and exploring its transferability to other Decade's projects and activities, the Hub will also respond to other Decade challenges - particularly Challenges 3, 4, and 5. In addition, the Transdisciplinary Toolbox promotes embedding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, multiple SDGs and the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, by integrating the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach in ocean research and governance. The Hub will present components of the Transdisciplinary Toolbox at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 in a satellite event that has been organized by the Hub through a partnership with University of Cardiff, and that has been approved by the Decade. The Challenges that the Transdisciplinary Toolbox addresses are detailed as follows: Challenge 10: Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean. Challenge 3: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions to optimise the role of the ocean in sustainably feeding the world's population under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 4: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 5: Enhance understanding of the ocean-climate nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change across all geographies and at all scales, and to improve services including predictions for the ocean, climate and weather. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; Rhodes University, South Africa). • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy; Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in the Global North: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), US; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Ocean Forum, US; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Germany; International Maritime Organization, UK; Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The United Nations proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO serves as the main coordinator of the Ocean Decade. The Hub collaboration with the (IOC) of UNESCO started during Climate COP26 in November 2021. The Hub led the co-organisation of High-Level Event for COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus during and at key events in the run up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The Pavilion is coordinated by Global Ocean Forum in collaboration with various partners such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to mention a few. The Hub has been a co-organiser of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion from 2021 until now. On 1st November 2021, the One Ocean Hub co-organised a roundtable titled 'Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion to bring together UN bodies and researchers from different disciplines on the ocean-climate nexus. The roundtable explored the need for joint interventions by the UN System and global organisations to build ocean resilience in the face of climate change, using sustainable and inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. The event was chaired by Mr Eden Charles, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub. It brought together high-level representatives from different UN bodies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, IOC-UNESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Hub researchers, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK). This event enabled the Hub to share progress and lessons learnt in transdisciplinary ocean research with a view to supporting science-policy interfaces that integrate different stakeholders and human rights-holders, as well as experts from marine sciences and social sciences, law, humanities and arts and shared key learnings with the IOC UNESCO who also serves as the Secretariat of the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The Hub key learnings shared during the event are listed in our policy brief titled "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" that is available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. In June 2022, the IOC UNESCO informed the Hub of their endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade due to the Hub's engagement and commitment to the Ocean Decade vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want" (see the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26). Research Programme 4 focuses on capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity through new deep-water surveys in one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems. It aims to develop new methods to predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Within the structure set out in the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan, individual projects are typically attached to endorsed Decade Programmes. One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 is attached to Decade Programme "Challenger 150 - A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life". Challenger 150 is a global cooperative aims 'to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, function and services provided by deep-ocean biota; and to use this new knowledge to educate, inspire, and promote better management and sustainable use of the deep ocean' (https://challenger150.world/). As part of the Ocean Decade the IOC UNESCO facilitates the effort of the ocean community in responding to the pressing need for adaptation strategies and science-policy responses to address problems affecting the ocean and peoples most dependent on it. To do so, the UN Ocean Decade endorses so-called Implementing Partners. Implementing Partners are selected stakeholder institutions, networks or groups that are committed to the vision and mission of the Decade, and that are making significant and sustained efforts to support the Decade through the implementation of specific tasks (see http://bit.ly/3l7GAwk). In November 2021, the IOC UNESCO invited the Hub to become an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner and to co-develop an Implementing Partner proposal focused on transdiciplinarity (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). As a Decade Implementing Partner on transdiciplinarity, the Hub will facilitate and coordinate national, regional and international contributions including workshop, event, exhibit, conference, and publications that contribute to Ocean Decade's commitment to co-designing research and solutions that is critical for revolutionizing ocean science and transforming ocean governance. The Hub is expecting to receive formal endorsement as the Decade Implementing Partner from the IOC UNESCO before mid 2023. Within the first three months of its mandate as a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub has envisaged and prepared three events for the UN Ocean Decade Conference and has committed to deliver a talk and take part in the UK National UN Decade Committee meeting taking place 5-6 March at the Edinburgh Napier University, where Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha will present. The events are designed to disseminate the finds in the field of transdisciplinary methods through its program Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance, as well as in the field of deep-sea research (Hub research program 4 - RP4), as part of its Decade Action mandate in relation to the Decade's Challenger 150 research program. In its capacity of Decade Implementing Partner (Transdisciplinary Toolbox), the Hub will deliver two knowledge sharing events within the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024. On 9 April, the Hub will deliver a Satellite event entitled Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance. The satellite event "Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" will be a three-tiered event consisting of a panel on the Hub's Ocean Knowledge Integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Nina Rivers, Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Mpume Mthombeni will be delivering this event's program. The satellite event regarding the Challenger 150 program will be delivered by Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another satellite event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. In addition to this, Nina Rivers will present a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The presentation will take place between 10 and 12 April 2024, within the regular program of the Conference. The UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's "Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" is developed based on Hub's research, experience and practices. As part of the Hub's role as a Decade Implementation Partnership endorsed in October 2023, the proposed transdisciplinary toolbox for ocean knowledge co-production supporting just, inclusive, and sustainable ocean governance represents the Hub's original product, envisaged as a program applicable at the international level as well as to a variety of geographical contexts. The Toolbox is envisaged adaptable and applicable to the programs of various and diverse Decade's partners through guidance of how to make the best use of the programme. It will also benefit the programs focusing on sustainable development beyond the ocean context. Responding to Challenge 10 (to 'ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean'), the Toolbox takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to transdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies, and research findings. It builds on the Hub's expertise in integrated approaches to the implementation of human rights, environmental law and the law of the sea, on the basis of aligned evidence from the marine and social sciences and the arts. It draws from the comprehensive and still evolving array of innovative research methodologies, activities and findings co-developed by the Hub and discussed with various partners (including international NGOs and various bodies of the UN System). This collaboration also promotes gender equality. 85 per cent of Hub researchers who will be attending and presenting at Decade Conference in April 2024 are women. Hub's contributions to the Conference that is expected to be the largest gathering for the global ocean community in 2024 will also explore the varying the conditions of success for the Ocean Decade including inclusivity, equity and diversity across gender, generations and geographies. Hub's participation at the Decade Conference will also enable the Hub to share lessons learned and best practices on the importance of research co-development for sustainable development to Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, industry and philanthropic leaders who will be present at the Conference. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed articles: M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 Narayanaswamy B et al (2020). A blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea ocean decade field program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. Howell K et al. (2021). "A decade to study deep-sea life." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. Howell K et al. (2021). "A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. McQuaid et.al. (2022). "Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements" Earth System Governance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Jacob C, Diederichsen SD, Fullbrook L, Lombard AT, Rees SE, Rivers N, Snow B, Strand M, Zuercher R, Niner HJ. (2023). "A two-way process - Social capacity as a driver and outcome of equitable marine spatial planning." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105507. Strand M, Rivers N, Baasch R, Snow B. (2022). "Developing arts-based participatory research for more inclusive knowledge co-production in Algoa Bay." Current Research in Environmental Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178. International recognition/endorsement: Endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 as the Ocean Decade Action in 2022 by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. See the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26. One Ocean Hub has been invited by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner on transdisciplinary in November 2021. To see the evidence of the co-development of the Implementing Partner proposal between the Hub and IOC UNESCO from November 2021 until December 2022 see email exchanges here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do Report: Sink K, McQuaid K, Atkinson L, Palmer R, Van der Heever G, Majied P, Loyiso D, Currie J, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K, Paterson A. (2022). "Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Policy brief: One Ocean Hub Policy Brief: "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." (2021). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. Blogposts: Febrica S. (2021). "Bringing transdiciplinarity in science-policy interface for ocean sustainability". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/bringing-transdiciplinarity-in-science-policy-interface-for-ocean-sustainability/. James A. (2021). "Reflections on engaged, transdisciplinary creative research practice." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-engaged-transdisciplinary-creative-research-practice/. McDonald L. (2021). "Artfully Sustaining the Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take?". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/. Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M, and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/. Maharaj P and Hills J. (2021). "The development of a transdiciplinary framewrok for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific/. Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/. Febrica S. (2021). "Considering the Ocean and Transdiciplinary Research in the UK's International Development Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-ocean-and-transdisciplinary-research-in-the-uks-international-development-strategy/. McDonald L. (2021). "Surfacing emotional connections with the sea: DEEP Fund Projects update." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/. Lavelle J. (2021) "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/. Events: UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 • The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April, tbc) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. • Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. • In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub adopts inter- and transdisciplinarity, working across disciplines including marine science, law, anthropology, sociology, history, and arts, as well as with diverse knowledge holders (see https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/). From the outset, the Hub has organized events to share iterative learning on its inter- and transdisciplinary practices, including events for the World Oceans Week (https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/) and the UN Nippon Fellow Alumni capacity-building programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=acRnJj4ckas&t=20s) in 2020. The Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK in November 2021 provided another opportunity for the Hub to showcase the values and contributions of the Hub transdisciplinary research in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to international partners and other stakeholders, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO that also acts as the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. This paved the way for closer collaboration between the Hub and IOC UNESCO/Ocean Decade on transdisciplinary research. Climate change is driving rapid and vast changes to the ocean and consequently the ways that people relate to it. Adaptation to these changes will be essential to maintain the services and values that it provides. Given the complexity of challenges posed by climate change multi-disciplinarity and science/policy engagement are key to build suitable adaptation and mitigation. There is a pressing need to integrate both different knowledge system, including traditional knowledge in ocean research and to work with varied and relevant stakeholders including traditional knowledge holder. This is a key understanding to ocean-climate solution shared by the Hub and IOC-UNESCO/UN Ocean Decade. In June 2022, the IOC-UNESCO endorsed the Hub "Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade; and in November 2021, the IOC-UNESCO invited the Hub to apply as an "Implementing Partner" of the Decade and co-develop a programme on transdiciplinarity. In October 2023 the IOC-UNESCO also endorsed the One Ocean Hub as Decade Implementation Partner focusing specifically on Challenge 10 but also addressing others that include Challenge 3, 4 and 5. As part of its role under this endorsement, the Hub will develop the Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance - supporting just, inclusive sustainable ocean governance and exploring its transferability to other Decade's projects and activities, the Hub will also respond to other Decade challenges - particularly Challenges 3, 4, and 5. In addition, the Transdisciplinary Toolbox promotes embedding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, multiple SDGs and the new Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, by integrating the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach in ocean research and governance. The Hub will present components of the Transdisciplinary Toolbox at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 in a satellite event that has been organized by the Hub through a partnership with University of Cardiff, and that has been approved by the Decade. The Challenges that the Transdisciplinary Toolbox addresses are detailed as follows: Challenge 10: Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean. Challenge 3: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions to optimise the role of the ocean in sustainably feeding the world's population under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 4: Generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. Challenge 5: Enhance understanding of the ocean-climate nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change across all geographies and at all scales, and to improve services including predictions for the ocean, climate and weather. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Namibia, Namibia; Rhodes University, South Africa). • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Italy; Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in the Global North: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), US; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Ocean Forum, US; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Germany; International Maritime Organization, UK; Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The United Nations proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO serves as the main coordinator of the Ocean Decade. The Hub collaboration with the (IOC) of UNESCO started during Climate COP26 in November 2021. The Hub led the co-organisation of High-Level Event for COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus during and at key events in the run up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The Pavilion is coordinated by Global Ocean Forum in collaboration with various partners such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to mention a few. The Hub has been a co-organiser of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion from 2021 until now. On 1st November 2021, the One Ocean Hub co-organised a roundtable titled 'Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion to bring together UN bodies and researchers from different disciplines on the ocean-climate nexus. The roundtable explored the need for joint interventions by the UN System and global organisations to build ocean resilience in the face of climate change, using sustainable and inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. The event was chaired by Mr Eden Charles, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub. It brought together high-level representatives from different UN bodies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, IOC-UNESCO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, Coordinator of the Group of Experts of the UN Regular Process - World Ocean Assessment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Hub researchers, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK). This event enabled the Hub to share progress and lessons learnt in transdisciplinary ocean research with a view to supporting science-policy interfaces that integrate different stakeholders and human rights-holders, as well as experts from marine sciences and social sciences, law, humanities and arts and shared key learnings with the IOC UNESCO who also serves as the Secretariat of the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The Hub key learnings shared during the event are listed in our policy brief titled "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" that is available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. In June 2022, the IOC UNESCO informed the Hub of their endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" as a project forming part of the UN Decade due to the Hub's engagement and commitment to the Ocean Decade vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want" (see the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26). Research Programme 4 focuses on capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity through new deep-water surveys in one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems. It aims to develop new methods to predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Within the structure set out in the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan, individual projects are typically attached to endorsed Decade Programmes. One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 is attached to Decade Programme "Challenger 150 - A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life". Challenger 150 is a global cooperative aims 'to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, function and services provided by deep-ocean biota; and to use this new knowledge to educate, inspire, and promote better management and sustainable use of the deep ocean' (https://challenger150.world/). As part of the Ocean Decade the IOC UNESCO facilitates the effort of the ocean community in responding to the pressing need for adaptation strategies and science-policy responses to address problems affecting the ocean and peoples most dependent on it. To do so, the UN Ocean Decade endorses so-called Implementing Partners. Implementing Partners are selected stakeholder institutions, networks or groups that are committed to the vision and mission of the Decade, and that are making significant and sustained efforts to support the Decade through the implementation of specific tasks (see http://bit.ly/3l7GAwk). In November 2021, the IOC UNESCO invited the Hub to become an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner and to co-develop an Implementing Partner proposal focused on transdiciplinarity (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). As a Decade Implementing Partner on transdiciplinarity, the Hub will facilitate and coordinate national, regional and international contributions including workshop, event, exhibit, conference, and publications that contribute to Ocean Decade's commitment to co-designing research and solutions that is critical for revolutionizing ocean science and transforming ocean governance. The Hub is expecting to receive formal endorsement as the Decade Implementing Partner from the IOC UNESCO before mid 2023. Within the first three months of its mandate as a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub has envisaged and prepared three events for the UN Ocean Decade Conference and has committed to deliver a talk and take part in the UK National UN Decade Committee meeting taking place 5-6 March at the Edinburgh Napier University, where Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha will present. The events are designed to disseminate the finds in the field of transdisciplinary methods through its program Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance, as well as in the field of deep-sea research (Hub research program 4 - RP4), as part of its Decade Action mandate in relation to the Decade's Challenger 150 research program. In its capacity of Decade Implementing Partner (Transdisciplinary Toolbox), the Hub will deliver two knowledge sharing events within the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024. On 9 April, the Hub will deliver a Satellite event entitled Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance. The satellite event "Introducing Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" will be a three-tiered event consisting of a panel on the Hub's Ocean Knowledge Integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Nina Rivers, Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Mpume Mthombeni will be delivering this event's program. The satellite event regarding the Challenger 150 program will be delivered by Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another satellite event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. In addition to this, Nina Rivers will present a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The presentation will take place between 10 and 12 April 2024, within the regular program of the Conference. The UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's "Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance" is developed based on Hub's research, experience and practices. As part of the Hub's role as a Decade Implementation Partnership endorsed in October 2023, the proposed transdisciplinary toolbox for ocean knowledge co-production supporting just, inclusive, and sustainable ocean governance represents the Hub's original product, envisaged as a program applicable at the international level as well as to a variety of geographical contexts. The Toolbox is envisaged adaptable and applicable to the programs of various and diverse Decade's partners through guidance of how to make the best use of the programme. It will also benefit the programs focusing on sustainable development beyond the ocean context. Responding to Challenge 10 (to 'ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behaviour change required for a step change in humanity's relationship with the ocean'), the Toolbox takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to transdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies, and research findings. It builds on the Hub's expertise in integrated approaches to the implementation of human rights, environmental law and the law of the sea, on the basis of aligned evidence from the marine and social sciences and the arts. It draws from the comprehensive and still evolving array of innovative research methodologies, activities and findings co-developed by the Hub and discussed with various partners (including international NGOs and various bodies of the UN System). This collaboration also promotes gender equality. 85 per cent of Hub researchers who will be attending and presenting at Decade Conference in April 2024 are women. Hub's contributions to the Conference that is expected to be the largest gathering for the global ocean community in 2024 will also explore the varying the conditions of success for the Ocean Decade including inclusivity, equity and diversity across gender, generations and geographies. Hub's participation at the Decade Conference will also enable the Hub to share lessons learned and best practices on the importance of research co-development for sustainable development to Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, industry and philanthropic leaders who will be present at the Conference. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed articles: M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 Narayanaswamy B et al (2020). A blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea ocean decade field program. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. Howell K et al. (2021). "A decade to study deep-sea life." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01352-5. Howell K et al. (2021). "A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.584861. McQuaid et.al. (2022). "Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements" Earth System Governance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100138. Jacob C, Diederichsen SD, Fullbrook L, Lombard AT, Rees SE, Rivers N, Snow B, Strand M, Zuercher R, Niner HJ. (2023). "A two-way process - Social capacity as a driver and outcome of equitable marine spatial planning." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105507. Strand M, Rivers N, Baasch R, Snow B. (2022). "Developing arts-based participatory research for more inclusive knowledge co-production in Algoa Bay." Current Research in Environmental Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100178. International recognition/endorsement: Endorsement of One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4 as the Ocean Decade Action in 2022 by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. See the announcement here: https://oceandecade.org/actions/one-ocean-hub-research-programme-4/ and the endorsement letter from IOC UNESCO here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b6gl0n9dtkeg39k7cabtdvgp26. One Ocean Hub has been invited by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner on transdisciplinary in November 2021. To see the evidence of the co-development of the Implementing Partner proposal between the Hub and IOC UNESCO from November 2021 until December 2022 see email exchanges here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do Report: Sink K, McQuaid K, Atkinson L, Palmer R, Van der Heever G, Majied P, Loyiso D, Currie J, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K, Paterson A. (2022). "Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. Policy brief: One Ocean Hub Policy Brief: "How to enable transformative science during the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." (2021). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/. Blogposts: Febrica S. (2021). "Bringing transdiciplinarity in science-policy interface for ocean sustainability". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/bringing-transdiciplinarity-in-science-policy-interface-for-ocean-sustainability/. James A. (2021). "Reflections on engaged, transdisciplinary creative research practice." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-engaged-transdisciplinary-creative-research-practice/. McDonald L. (2021). "Artfully Sustaining the Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take?". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Wahome, Hills and Morgera. (2021). "Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/. Wynberg R, Dorrington R, Upton M, and Sink K. (2020). "Biodiscovery: Exploring the Science-Policy Interface in the One Ocean Hub". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/biodiscovery-exploring-the-science-policy-interface-in-the-one-ocean-hub/. Maharaj P and Hills J. (2021). "The development of a transdiciplinary framewrok for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific/. Lavelle J. (2021). "Towards a community of practice for equitable and sustainable marine biodiversity in South Africa. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-a-community-of-practice-for-equitable-and-sustainable-marine-biodiscovery-in-south-africa/. Febrica S. (2021). "Considering the Ocean and Transdiciplinary Research in the UK's International Development Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-ocean-and-transdisciplinary-research-in-the-uks-international-development-strategy/. McDonald L. (2021). "Surfacing emotional connections with the sea: DEEP Fund Projects update." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/. Lavelle J. (2021) "New study on inclusive and equitable research and innovation in marine biodiscovery." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/new-study-on-inclusive-and-equitable-research-and-innovation-in-marine-biodiscovery/. Events: UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 • The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April, tbc) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. • Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. • In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | Association of Commonwealth Universities |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | Blue Ventures |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | Bread for the World Institute |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | Danish Institute for Human Rights |
| Country | Denmark |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | Durban University of Technology |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | Government of Sweden |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | Low Impact Fishers of Europe |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | Swedish Society for Nature Conservation |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | United Nations Institute for Training and Research |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers |
| Organisation | World Wide Fund for Nature |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research and engagement activities have emphasised the importance to bring clarity on the content of the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries and build the capacities of fishers, fishworkers, and their communities to protect their human rights. Together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub is bringing together human rights and environmental/fisheries organizations to support the protection of small-scale fishers' rights. Collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights began in April 2022 as part of our collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) (see entry "Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights Across Scales" under Collaborations). In June 2022, the Hub invited the Danish Institute to contribute to the joint High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights for the UN World Ocean Day that the Hub co-organised with FAO and UNOHCHR. See the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o. This event advanced awareness of the need for a holistic approach to the protection of the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers, and to explore the different UN mandates that can contribute to better international support for small-scale fishers representatives and advocates. Building upon this event, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights further collaborated during the UN Ocean Conference on 27th June - 1st July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Celebration on 27th-31st March 2023 in Rome, Italy. These initiatives led to the co-development of a webinar series (launched in February 2023) to raise awareness among international and national human rights bodies on the need to protect the human rights of small-scale fishers. This has led to a new collaboration between the Hub, the Danish Institute and the team of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on a global report on human rights and fisheries (to be published in late 2023) and a country visit in South Africa (to be confirmed in May 2023). In addition, the Hub and the Danish Institute may collaborate in Ghana, South Africa and Namibia in engaging the NHRIs into Hub research on small-scale fishers' rights. Furthermore, the Hub's growing collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights has led to joint planning of two events for the UN IYAFA closing celebration in March 2023 in Rome, Italy on further raising awareness of fisheries/environmental experts on the international and national human rights bodies that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, and on the need to ensure the protection of these rights in the context of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On the latter, the Hub and the Danish Institute have published separately in 2022, with the Hub peer-reviewing the Danish Institute's reports, and the two organizations published a joint policy brief in late 2024 (a draft was released for comment before the IYAFA closing event in March 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers). In late 2023, Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/shedding-a-light-on-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers-complementarities-and-contrasts-between-the-un-declaration-on-peasants-rights-and-the-small-scale-fisheries-guidelines/), fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices (https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/) to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/) and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee (https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-sustainable-development/). She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law (https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hub-is-part-honoured-with-the-2023-un-human-rights-prize/), and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." The meeting allowed the Hub to provide inputs into the new research planning and fund-raising by the Danish Institute, which is keen to work with the Hub on joint initiatives as part of the Hub's legacy: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. At the Danish Institute workshop, the Hub was also able to explore new collaboration opportunities with the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions, which will be explored in 2024. Finally, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2023/call-input-right-food-and-securing-sustainable-small-scale-fisheries) for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024. In 2023, thanks to an introduction by the Danish Institute, NANHRI invited the Hub to contribute to 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Durban University of Technology, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: • partner organisations based in the Global North: United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Switzerland; World Wide Fund for Nature The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Government of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Africa; Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda, Uganda; Hen Mpoano, Ghana; COAST Foundation, Bangladesh; African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA); Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), Kenya; Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network, Fiji • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark; Government of Sweden, Sweden; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland; International Ocean Institute (IOI), Malta; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Washington; Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK; Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sweden; Women in Ocean Science, UK; Commonwealth Blue Charter, UK; Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Belgium; Bread for the World Institute, US; Low Impact Fishers of Europe, Belgium; AKTEA Women in Fisheries, Italy; Blue Ventures, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Since April 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the One Ocean Hub have collaborated on sharing findings on small-scale fisheries and human rights research and develop capacity-building approaches, particularly through the Danish Institute's collaboration with African National Human Rights Institutes and their strong links with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub are collaborating in research on small-scale fishers' human rights in Ghana and on the issue of fisheries subsidies. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the Ministry of Justice of Ghana, the National Human rights Commission, and the same NGO that one of the Hub's partner in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, is work with namely the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Drawing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights engagement with these stakeholders in Ghana and their long-standing work on integrating human rights in environment impact assessment in fisheries sector, the Danish Institute for Human Rights could support the Hub in developing the strategic environmental assessment and bringing together different ministries in Ghana to discuss reducing fishing efforts and protecting small-scale fishers' human rights. In 2022 and 2023, the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights have collaborated to promote the human rights of small-scale fishers across three different international processes including the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022, the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. At the Hub led High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Right for the UN World Ocean Week in June 2022. Ms Sille Stidsen, the Department Director of Human Rights and Development at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), explained that the DIHR works as a national human rights institution, but also has an international mandate to support human rights institutions in other countries. The DIHR examined more than 200,000 recommendations from across international human rights bodies and procedures, and found out that not many (only 70) addressed the human rights of fishers in the context of fisheries management and conservation, with regard to: equality and non-discrimination, often in relation to government's allocation of fishing quotas (e.g., Iceland, South Africa, Morocco and Myanmar); the right to an adequate standard of living, dealing with the deprivation of local fishing communities of means of subsistence (e.g., Senegal and Djibouti); the right to a healthy environment in relation to marine environmental pollution, climate change affecting fishing communities dependent on marine resources (e.g., Nigeria and Madagascar); the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to access to fishing grounds (e.g., Norway, Mexico and South Africa); and special measures to secure fishing-dependent and marginalized communities access to marine resources and markets (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia and Maldives). At the event Ms Stidsen noted that it is important to give more focus on small-scale fishers in UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, ensure capacity-building for institutions working on human rights and small-scale fisheries, related data-sharing and reporting at national and international levels, file complaints regarding human rights violations to national and international human rights monitoring bodies. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a session in April 2022, which resulted in the recommendation addressed to FAO to prepare a study on the impacts of industrial fishing on the rights of Indigenous Peoples regarding traditional fishing; and to FAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct a study on human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples in the fishing sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 the Danish Institute for Human Rights was one of the co-organisers of the side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June 2023. Their contribution to the Hub-led side event focused on guidance on business due diligence and environmental impact assessment. Ms Tulika Bansal shared key findings from a recent sector-wide assessment of Chile's salmon industry on the human right impacts on workers, communities, including indigenous and small-scale fishers, and other rights-holders that the Danish Institute for Human Rights has carried out: • Independent research is lacking on human rights impacts of businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; • Existing research tends to focus on environmental impacts, less on social and human rights dimensions; • Interdisciplinary teams are lacking to assess human rights closely from environmental, social and health disciplines; • There is lack of expertise on human rights by those working in the sectors, both states and companies, but also auditors (e.g. in certification). • She concluded that there is a pressing need to enhance research and collaboration to better assess, document and most importantly, address the human rights impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also invited the Hub to support their event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022. The event highlighted that strategies for strengthening ocean-based economies must be aligned with human rights standards and take adequate considerations towards population groups, including women, dependent on coastal ecosystems and marine resources. This entails following a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to policy and programme development - and aligning business activities and the States' regulation of the private sector with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. The event was co-organised by 14 other organisations that are actively working to advance protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. These include the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Women in Ocean Science, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, COAST Foundation, the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Bread for the World, Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), LMMA network, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) and AKTEA, Blue Ventures, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Government of Sweden. Also during the UN Ocean Conference, the Hub invited the Danish Institute for Human Rights to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-led side-event titled 'From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy' on 30 June 2022 that was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to launch One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past three years to create the One Ocean Learn, an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life (https://oneoceanhub.org/launching-the-one-ocean-learn-knowledge-translation-platform/). The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to contribute towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The Hub and UNITAR are exploring the potential to link the Danish Institute for Human Rights's database on fisheries and human rights to One Ocean Learn based on the idea of developing an 'ocean and human rights platform'. In the run up to the IYAFA Closing Celebration in Rome in March 2023, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Hub, and the UNOHCHR co-organised Dialogue series on fisheries and human rights composed of two online webinars on exploring how NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in fishing communities on 1st and 2nd February 2023. The Dialogue series was primarily targeting national human rights institutions, the international human rights mechanisms, and key national, regional, and global civil society organisations working on fisheries and human rights. The series explored how national and international human rights actors are using their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. The ambition of the dialogue was to better understand current engagement and to explore opportunities for deepening their engagement and collaboration between the different actors. The first webinar of the series focused on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address the human rights abuses and violations affecting small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The second webinar focused on protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms. Representatives from the international mechanisms shared examples of current advice and recommendations to states in relation to the human rights of small-scale fishers and indigenous peoples. The Dialogue Series brought together representatives of UN OHCHR, FAO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Michael Fakhri the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck the Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, Hen Mpoano, NHRIs of the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Colombia; International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty Working Group on Fisheries, Katosi Women Development Trust of Uganda; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; and Hub researchers based at Durban University of Technology, South Africa and the University of Strathclyde, UK. In March 2023 the Hub is collaborating with Danish Institute for Human Rights and FAO to co-organise three events as part of the IYAFA closing events in Rome, Italy: 1. An in-person or hybrid event on World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies and Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights on 30th March 2023. The Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are going to write a joint policy brief on this theme based on Hub papers of fisheries subsidies and Danish Institute for Human Rights report on 'The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations' which the Hub has provided inputs (https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies), with invited participants from FAO, WTO and OECD among others. 2. Training event on accessing national and international human rights bodies on Small-Scale Fishers human rights for fisheries and environmental experts on 31st March 2023, with participation from the UNOHCHC, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the South African NHRI. 3. a closed scoping meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on his forthcoming global report on the right to food and fisheries (30th March 2023). Our contributions to the Danish Institute's planning process were incorporated in their report of the 2023 workshop, including the need for further work to: • clarify the minimum content of State conduct under international environmental law obligations, including from the perspective of Global North/South equity; • support systems thinking and capacity building (https://griffithlawjournal.org/index.php/gjlhd/article/view/1219) for more integrated approaches to the protection of human rights and the ocean at the outset, bringing together expertise from communities of practice that still operate quite separately (human health, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/human-health-depends-on-thriving-oceans/; marine ecosystem services, https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ ); • address human rights under the "High Seas"/BBNJ Agreement (https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml) on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the importance of the human right to science in this connection; • identify new areas for research and solidarity action with ocean-dependent human rights holders, such as One Health (https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/), the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/), the ocean-climate nexus (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/introduction-applying-a-human-rights-lens-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/), the Global Biodiversity Framework (https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-global-biodiversity-framework-and-other-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-part-1/; https://oneoceanhub.org/a-reflection-on-the-global-biodiversity-framework/), the plastics treaty under negotiations (https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/), and business and human rights (https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/); and • develop a platform for further and deeper collaborations with the UN human rights bodies and national human rights institutions (https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/) to support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights, including an online clinic. Danish Institute for Human Rights invited Hub Director Elisa Morgera to contribute to an expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aimed to explore the key human rights issues currently affecting small-scale fishers, fish workers and fishing-dependent communities; share emerging good practices to address these issues and explore new areas for future attention; and learn of new methodologies and approaches for securing the integration of human rights within relevant policy and legal frameworks and in industry practices. Elisa Morgera was part of a panel with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, colleagues from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair of the UN Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee. She provided insights in particular on "New Frontiers in Environmental Law, its interplay with Human Rights Law, and its Particular Relevance for Coastal Communities." In her remarks, Elisa underscored the role of the human right to a healthy environment, including children's human right to a healthy environment. Read detailed summary of Elisa Morgera key messages delivered during the event in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. This collaboration has demonstrable positive policy impacts. The Hub, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the FAO worked closely in raising awareness of small-scale fishers' human rights during IYAFA and planning for the IYAFA Closing. The side-events and policy brief co-developed by the Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights titled "The implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" sparked dialogue on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries during IYAFA Closing in 2023 among diverse stakeholders including policy makers, civil society, and representatives of international organisations. Hub and partner organisations that are part of this collaboration are strategising to bring findings from our research on human rights and small-scale fisheries and share good practices and methodologies at the next Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024. This collaboration has also brought societal impacts. All the events co-organised as part of this collaboration had provided capacity building and training to a total of 823 small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions in the Global South, and civil society on national and international human rights mechanisms that can support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This collaboration has also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across these events were women. This speaks to both the interest and need of capacity building for women in small-scale fisheries sector. During the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Hub specifically co-developed a side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' that was held on 1 July 2022 in Lisbon to raise awareness on women's human rights in fisheries. The event presented innovative tools and resources that enable users to identify the human rights dimension of fisheries governance, and devise strategies to enhance sustainability of the sector, while simultaneously enhancing the development and dignity of fishing-dependent marginalised population groups such as local communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers in all parts of the sector's value chain. Gender perspective was also considered across all the outcomes generated from this collaboration including publications and events. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles • Lennan M and Switzer S. (2022). "World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275517. • Switzer S, Morgera E, and Webster E (2022). "Casting the net wider? The transformative potential of integrating human rights into the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." Review of European, Comparative, and International Law (RECIEL). https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12477. Policy Brief • Morgera E, Switzer S, Lennan M, Webster E and Bansal T. (2023) "Policy brief: the implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement should support the human rights of small-scale fishers" https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-implementation-of-the-wto-fisheries-subsidies-agreement-should-support-the-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IYAFA-Spreadsheet-Key-messages_2022.06.21.pdf. • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, One Ocean Hub, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2022). "Applying coherently the human rights-based approach to small-scale fisheries for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals." Available from https://www.fao.org/3/cc3251en/cc3251en.pdf Blogposts and impact story Febrica S & Webster E. (2023). "How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-mechanisms-support-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Where next, to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). Impact stories: Research and action across scales: protecting the human rights, livelihoods, and culture of small-scale fishers. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/imapct-story-research-and-action-across-scales/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "What we learnt at the closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheries-and-aquaculture/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub events in Rome for the Closing of IYAFA." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Exploring the way forward from IYAFA on small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-way-forward-from-iyafa-on-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ Morgera E. (2022). "Celebrating our progress towards transformative change in 2022." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-our-progress-towards-transformative-change-in-2022/. Nakamura J. (2022). "Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Morgera E. (2022). "Reflecting on the UN Ocean Conference and the need to scale up ocean action for the transformative ocean governance we all need." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-for-the-transformative-ocean-governance-we-all-need/. Switzer S and Lennan, M. (2022). "The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. 'It's good, but it's not quite right'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies-its-good-but-its-not-quite-right/ Switzer, S. (2022). "Untangling the nets of the fisheries subsidies debate." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/untangling-the-nets-of-the-fisheries-subsidies-debate/. Report • Danish Institute for Human Rights report on "The Human Rights Impacts of Fisheries Subsidies: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations." Available from https://www.humanrights.dk/publications/human-rights-impacts-fisheries-subsidies. Events UN Ocean Conference 2022 • "The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28 June 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub). See here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue; https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/. This event was attended by 28 attendees. • Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. UN World Oceans Day High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6. This event was attended by 52 attendees. IYAFA Events Danish Institute for Human Rights-led side event titled 'Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14' on 1st July 2022 (https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture). This event was attended by 50 attendees. Dialogue Series on Human Rights Actors and Fisheries "Advancing the protection of small-scale fisher rights at national and international level organised by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), One Ocean Hub and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): • The first webinar National human rights institutions: Experiences and Potential for Addressing the Human Rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities, 1 February 2023 (https://youtu.be/O4MyETHEkdk). This event was attended by 103 attendees. • The second webinar Protecting the human rights of small-scale fishers through international human rights mechanisms (https://youtu.be/l9kbB3wXt6c) This event was attended by 91 attendees. The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. These are listed below. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 10am-1pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard" (in-person only). This event was attended by 27 attendees. • Wednesday, 29 March, 2-4pm (Rome time), Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome: "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s. The event was attended by 105 attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 9-11am (Rome time), Queen Juliana room: hybrid "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries" co-organised by the One Ocean Hub with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with technical inputs from FAO. The event was attended by a total of 56 attendees including 43 online attendees and 13 in-person attendees. • Friday, 31 March, 15:30-17:00 (Rome time), Flag Room: Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA. View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658. The event brought together 35 attendees in total. • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496. "The event was attended by 226 attendees in total. These include 146 online participants and 80 in-person participants. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature |
| Department | International Union for Conservation of Nature,US |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | University of Namibia |
| Country | Namibia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Expanding alliances on ocean defenders |
| Organisation | University of the West Indies |
| Country | Barbados |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Environmental human rights defenders have been defined by the United Nations as individuals and communities that raise awareness about the negative impacts on human rights of unsustainable decisions on the environment. Defenders are increasingly the object of (often lethal) attacks by governments or private companies. They thus exemplify a double flaw of national governments: they do not effectively protect or ensure sustainable use of the environment to the detriment of human rights, and they persecute or allow persecution of those that raise awareness about these problems. Current international protection for environmental human rights defenders is focussed on land defenders, so ocean-defenders are overlooked. The One Ocean Hub is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide inputs, and recommendations within the UN system to connect efforts in the recognition of ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders. Hub researchers were thus invited to contribute to the UNEP Global and Regional Consultations (Africa) on understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders in May 2021. Following these consultations, the Hub was invited to present relevant research and methods at the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment on 21-25 June 2021 that UNEP co-organizes with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), with a view to raising awareness and building the capacity of human rights activists, researchers, and representatives of governments from around the world on the basis of perspectives and experiences from the Global South. The Hub's collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE from 2021 to 2023 around the Summer/Winter School shed light more generally how human rights and the environment experts and activists are not aware of the human rights challenges faced in relation to the coastal and marine environment. GNHRE and UNEP have supported the Hub's joint programme of work with FAO and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022 and 2023 (see separate entry under Collaborations). As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment on the International Day of Action for Rivers, 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Hub early-career researchers Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town) from the Coastal Justice Network together with Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast), Melisa Pullen (The Collective), Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Coastal Links Eastern Cape) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) contributed to the session of the workshop titled "Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa" (Read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocean-defenders-in-the-roll-out-of-blue-economy-plans/). To further expands our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders, in September 2023, three Hub researchers, Elaine Webster and Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) contributed to the Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, that will be hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, under the theme, "Human Rights Defenders Under Siege." The Hub contributed to the panel focused on 'The Role of Academia in the support to HRDs.' Information on the title and key messages explored in Elaine Webster, Elisa Morgera and Taryn Pereira's papers is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-defenders-research-at-the-association-of-human-rights-institutes-conference/. The conference offered an opportunity to share and contrast the research and practices under the One Ocean Hub on ocean defenders as environmental human rights defenders with other academic research and practice with human rights defenders more broadly. The three Hub papers presented contributed to the conference track on the role of academia in support of human rights defenders (HRDs), raised the profile of ocean human rights defenders as environmental human rights defenders and explored different facets of navigating academic solidarity practices at different scales (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). On 29 November 2023, Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally and explore potential actions that allied organizations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). The webinar was co-hosted by the Ocean Defenders Project, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the IUCN, with which the Hub has been collaborating for a couple of years. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/), Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. In November 2023, the UN published its "Guidance note for United Nations resident coordinators & country teams: supporting governments to better respect, promote and protect environmental human rights defenders, November 2023" (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/SGC2A-EHRDs-Guidance-Note-Nov-2023-web.pdf). This guidance note was prepared as part of the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights in order to increase support from the United Nations on the ground to Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). It outlines concrete actions which UN Country Teams may take, including under the lead of the Resident Coordinators as appropriate, in order to better protect EHRDs, in their work to support governments on the ground. This includes - but is not limited to: empowering EHRDs to participate in decision-making, contributing to the protection of EHRDs through the work of the UN, promoting a safe and enabling civic space, strengthening access to justice for EHRDs and engaging with businesses to enhance the protection of EHRDs. Prior to the publication of the Guidance, Elisa Morgera was invited to speak about the importance of ocean defenders by UNEP, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office at an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders). In December 2023, the Hub's early-career researcher Sophie Shields and Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. Read key messages shared in their written submission here: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/). In 2024, the Hub will expand its cooperation with UNEP and GNHRE to advance recognition and protection of ocean defenders, including small-scale fishers and children ocean defenders (https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/; https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/; https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en) through its partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, Namibia • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya • partner organisations based in the Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • research partners in the Global North: The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain; the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Canada. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: The Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), South Africa • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK; UNOHCHR, Switzerland; IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Switzerland; the Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, Canada; Environmental Defenders Collaborative, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UNEP has been a project partner of the Hub from the start. GNHRE is a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships. This collaboration represents an opportunity for the Hub to build capacities and embed learning into a global community of practice on human rights and the environment. The Hub contributed to three sessions of the inaugural Winter/Summer School, being the only institution (in addition to UNEP) to present on ocean-related human rights matters. Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, presented on the marine environment, marine litter and human rights as part of the theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment" on 24 June 2021. She explored issues around government and business responsibility and accountability, as well knowledge gaps and the blind spots we face when it comes to impacts of plastic products (and their additives) and plastic pollution on women, informal workers, disadvantaged groups. Hub Co-Director Dr Dylan McGarry and early-career research Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) delivered a presentation on Empatheatre and the Coastal Justice Network as part of the sessions titled "Participation as Resistance" and "Human Rights Defenders", with Morgera contributing as a discussant. The Hub team particularly highlighted the role of small-scale fishers as environmental defenders. The video-recordings of these sessions will be used by UNEP as capacity-building materials that will be included in a permanent website to be launched in 2022. As a result, GNHRE and UNEP invited the Hub to co-develop the call for proposals for the second edition of the Summer/Winter School in 2022, under the theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022), with the Hub making suggestions about more integrated approaches to the water cycle and to the indivisibility of human rights. The GNHRE-UNEP website explicitly acknowledged Hub contribution as follows: 'The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightsholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment' (see: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/). The Hub then worked with various partners to co-develop seven different panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The Hub and GNHRE are also brought together a group of researchers around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on ocean defenders, as the second edition of the Winter/Summer School had a dedicated segment on environmental human rights defenders. The seven Hub-led panels include: (1) The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM); (2) Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w); (3) Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/); (4) Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s); (5) Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/); (6) Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/); and (7) Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). In addition, Prof Morgera started to co-develop the broader mission of the School for the future with GHNRE with a view to: promoting decolonial approaches to human rights and the environment; combining panel presentations with mini-workshops to engage participants in co-developing key messages (policy recommendations, research gaps and capacity needs); and bringing together communities of practice ("labs" for instance on defenders), who could then apply for research grants/funding to take action together on the basis of key messages from the School, as well as reach out with proposals to existing resources (eg UNEP Judges Training programme). GNHRE co-organised a research symposium with Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James on 8 September 2021. This is reported under 'Engagement' section of Research Fish. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into GNHRE wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. This symposium further developed and deepened the Hub working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan-African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network. As a result, McGarry and Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, GNHRE Director, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. UNEP provided staff time as in-kind contribution in the co-development of joint panel proposals and engagement activities with the Hub, particularly those that support the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, for the Second School of Human Rights and Environment with the Hub in 2022. This collaboration is also connected with the UNEP-Hub partnerships on human rights and ocean plastics discussed in a separate entry under Collaborations. In 2023, for the third year running, the Hub has collaborated with GNHRE and UNEP in co-organising a series of five panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). The School ran from 11-15 September 2023 to examine the themes of "Transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment" (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16650). The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 11-14 September 2023: (1) "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s); (2) "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). (3) "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). (4) "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). (5) "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). The Hub's participation in at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School has strengthened Hub's partnership with our existing partners such UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) that co-organised the "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection panel." It also helped to consolidate the contributions of Hub's early career researchers including Dr Andrea Longo, Dr David Wilson and Sophie Shields (University of Strathclyde, UK); Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK); Taryn Pereira and Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa); Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia); and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK) to Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in 5-7 July 2024 and UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (see separate entries under Collaborations). In addition to collaboration with UNEP and GNHRE, the Hub has established a partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to raise awareness about "blue justice" issues and ocean defenders, and identify good practices to protect small-scale fishers as EHRDs. Collaboration with IUCN started at the beginning of 2022 as the Hub and IUCN co-organised an event for the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human and Environmental Rights organized by UNEP and GNHRE titled "The human rights dimensions of oceans crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers" on 20th June 2022. The event brought together the Chair of the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group, Dr Nathan Bennett and Hub researchers including Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and early career researchers Dr Alexander Winkler (Rhodes University, South Africa), Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The panel explored the human rights, equity and justice dimensions of ocean crimes and its impacts on small scale fishers. It started with an examination of the ideas of blue growth and its possible consequences for coastal communities, the social justice implications of rapid and unchecked ocean development, its impacts on livelihoods of small-scale fishers and the human rights consequences of these developments in particular as it relates to ocean defenders; who defend and protect the marine and coastal environment and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats including oceans crimes. The panel then proceeded with an examination of the effects of recreational fisheries crime in South Africa on the integrity of small-scale fisher development and the impacts of oceans crimes on Ghana and the countries in the Caribbean. See the event recording here: http://bit.ly/3jBNz07. On 14 and 16 September 2022, the IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group invited the Hub to participate in a project launch and initial virtual working group meeting for "The Ocean Defenders Project". The project aims to co-produce knowledge related to where, why, and how ocean defenders are opposing existential threats to the marine environment and their rights, and to better understand the actions that can be taken to protect and support ocean defenders. Hub's early career researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) contributed to the conceptualization of the project and is leading the development of a case study on the Coastal Justice Network to highlight small-scale fishers' resistance to oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), is involved in the synthesis of all case studies. In addition to the One Ocean Hub, partner organisations of "The Ocean Defenders Project" include the Peopled Seas Initiative, the University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Environmental Defenders Collaborative and the IUCN CEESP. As part of this partnership, the IUCN had also invited the Hub to write blogposts on ocean defenders as part of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) News in June and November 2022. The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, and early career researchers, Dr Senia Febrica and Dr Buhle Francis' contributions to the CEESP News highlighted the role of small-scale fishers women and girls, children and young people in the protection of biodiversity and a healthy ocean. They noted the need to ensure full and effective representation and participation of small-scale-fishers, children and youth in decision making on global biodiversity. As part of "the Ocean Defenders Project", IUCN and the Hub have also co-produced two peer-reviewed articles on 'ocean defenders', one of which is co-authored with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Dr David Boyd. These papers are listed below. The Hub together with IUCN and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have been raising the issue of ocean defenders also in its events and publications on deep-seabed mining, with particular attention to children and youth defenders throughout 2023. We will continue this collaboration to influence international negotiations on deep-seabed mining in 2024 (reported under a separate entry "Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining"). In 2023, the Hub's participation in the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, 'Human Rights Defenders Under Siege' (7-9 September 2023, Bilbao, Spain, https://live.eventtia.com/en/ahriconference2023/AHRI-Conference-2023/) has fostered new partnerships between the Hub and the co-organisers of the conference to increase visibility of ocean as well as land-based environmental defenders. The co-organisers include the Association of Human Rights Institutes - AHRI, consists of 75 member institutions that carry out research and education in the field of human rights across every continent - and The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute, the University of Deusto, Spain. This conference enabled Hub researchers to learn with great interest that the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention on procedural environmental rights has a mandate to investigate threats to EHRDs by private companies based in State parties but operating abroad, and could approach directly the CEO of European companies operating abroad in this connection (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/). This collaboration has achieved societal impacts through the creation of new network comprising a group of researchers, lawyers, and activists from around the world interested in advancing scholarship and practice on environmental human rights. We estimated that the total of 17 panels that the Hub has co-organised with partners as part of the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023 have trained 817 attendees across different areas related to ocean and human rights. The collaboration has also mainstreamed gender equality. Female speakers accounted for 50-70 per cent of speakers in each panel the Hub has co-organised for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School from 2021 to 2023. Gender dimension was also addressed in the delivery of each panel. For example, "Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights" panel in 2021 explored impacts of marine litter towards small-scale fishers women in Ghana. Similarly, "Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean" panel in 2022 touched upon the impacts of climate change on women and girls' human rights to food, health, and education. In 2023, in collaboration with UNEP, GNHRE, and UNDOALOS the Hub co-developed the first panel focusing on gender and ocean titled "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean." |
| Impact | Webinars The Hub contribution at "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment", "Participation as Resistance", and Marine environment, marine litter, and human rights' panels for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Each panel was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 as outlined in the previous section. Video links for the three panels could be found below. • Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Seven panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, 21 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean, 21 June 202 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Ocean plastic and ocean waste, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. • Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies, 11 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=4s). This event was attended by 40 attendees. • The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean, 12 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMlGo3pQWM). This event was attended by 35 attendees. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Peer-reviewed publications: • Bennet NJ, de la Lama RL, Le Billion P, Ertor I, and Morgera E. (2023). "Ocean defenders and human rights." Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1089049 • Bennett NJ, Alava JJ, Ferguson CE, Blythe J, Morgera E, Boyd D, Côté IM. (2022). "Environmental (in)justice in the Anthropocene ocean." Marine Policy https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105383 • Morgera and Lily, "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis" (2022) RECIEL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 • Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice Publication authored by Pereira T & Erwin K (2023) in Ecosystems and People, 19:1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2260502 • Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys Publication authored by Pereira, Taryn in Ocean Defenders Project. Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University) are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Working Paper • Nathan J. Bennett Juan José Alava, Caroline E. Ferguson, Jessica Blythe, Elisa Morgera, David Boyd & Isabelle M. Côté. (2022). Environmental Justice in the Ocean. Working Paper through the Institution for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia https://fisheries.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2022/04/Working-Paper-2022-03-All.pdf Policy brief Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/. Blogposts • Pereira T. (2023). "Ocean-defending small-scale fishers in South Africa say NO to seismic surveys." Available from https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/. • Webster E, Pereira T and Morgera E. "Reflecting on opportunities and tensions in academic solidarity practices with environmental human rights defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-with-environmental-human-rights-defenders/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the 2025 UN call for action on human rights with a focus on ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean-defenders. • Longo A. (2023). "Empty of livelihood space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-. • Morgera E. (2023). "Calling attention to children ocean defenders." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. • Pereira T. (2023). "Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organizations." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation-organizations/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Hub led panels for the 2022 Summer/ Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Focus on small-scale fisheries. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/. • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps (Part 1): Children, ocean defenders, and plastics. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 1: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/. • Febrica S, Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Pereira T, Oduro GY, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ • Morgera E. (2022) "Developing new partnerships for protecting small-scale fishers' human rights." IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202206/developing-new-partnerships-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean" IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy News. Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E and Febrica S (2022). "Partnerships to strengthen small-scale fishers' human rights." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/partnerships-strengthen-small-scale-fishers-human-rights. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages |
| Organisation | National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub has provided the infrastructure and innovative methodologies to bring together multiple stakeholders to co-design a transdisciplinary programme to address critical policy coherence issues in ocean governance arising in both national and regional levels in Fiji. On specific request from the Ministry of Economy, a One Ocean Hub team of researchers comprising Prof. Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, University Jean Jaurès, France), Dr. Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, University Aix-Marseille, France), Prof. Jeremy Hills (USP-overseas staff), Payal Maharaj (USP-Fiji), and Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde) analysed sector-based ocean policies in relation to the Fiji National Development Plan, to inform the development of a National Ocean Policy for Fiji. The analysis provided specific recommendations for strengthening coherence between the National Development Plan and ocean-related policies, and the interface between national policy priorities and the various sectors related directly or indirectly to the ocean. In parallel, the research team have been in ongoing engagement with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) to discuss the analysis and reviews of regional ocean policies in order to suggest a reform of these policies. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), France; National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS), France; University of Strathclyde, UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Fiji Government's Ministry of Economy, Fiji |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's team applied text mining and network analysis to ocean-related policies identified through a summary review of reports and literature, and stakeholder engagement in Fiji and Solomon Islands (since September 2019). This research was directly incorporated into: • Fiji's first National Ocean Policy (endorsed in 2021); and • the regional assessment of progress in ocean sustainability in Pacific Islands by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (Blue Pacific Ocean Report, launched, 2021). The assessment of existing national and regional policies identified gaps in the integration of sectors usually considered separate from ocean management, and the institutional (and historical) reasons for these gaps, feeding into recommendations to integrate indigenous and local knowledge, through community-level engagement and transdisciplinary research. i) Fiji's first National Ocean Policy Fiji's Ministry of Economy was leading the development of the first National Ocean Policy for Fiji. The Ministry engaged with Hub researchers in ongoing discussion and made available to the researchers relevant policy materials to aid the analysis. The Hub conducted an analysis of sector-based policies related to the National Development Plan of Fiji and identified the gaps that a new national ocean policy could fill, also taking into account regional and international policies. The analysis focused on seven Fijian policies and ten policies of the Pacific region and was presented at a Stakeholder and USP Workshop (3-6 December 2019, Suva, Fiji). Participants pointed to limitations in current understanding of the interconnectedness of all living organisms and policy complexity, due to limited engagement in the policy development process with indigenous and local knowledge holders. Then, fifteen ocean-related policies from the Solomon Islands were added to the analysis, to identify further links and gaps by way of comparison with another nation. The analysis found that Fiji's National Development Plan 2017-2036 was strongly linked to the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, the Integrated Coastal Management Framework and the National Climate Change Policy, but weakly connected to Fiji's National Adaptation Plan and the Fisheries Strategic Plan. These findings were directly included into the final draft of Fiji's National Ocean Policy (p 19, see Republic of Fiji National Ocean Policy 2020-2030 (fijiclimatechangeportal.gov.fj)), to show both progress in integration through the National Ocean Policy and the need for further policy integration with the fisheries sector. Stakeholders emphasised, moving forward, the need to scrutinise the extent to which national policy development includes communities, and the need to link the policy coherence findings with community-level research based on transdisciplinary research approaches in line with Pacific culture (University of South Pacific WP0 Synthesis Report: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/krcrvv3c4hl4qe8252kebk7qn9?0). Top-level objectives of the Fiji's National Ocean Policy were enshrined in law in September 2021 in the Climate Change Act (http://www.economy.gov.fj/images/CCIC/uploads/Climatechangeact/20210927_161640.pdf) which is among the world's most comprehensive pieces of climate legislation. Fiji's Minister of Economy wrote: "The Fijian Government thanks the One Ocean Hub for the support provided towards the development and finalisation of Fiiji's National Ocean Policy [which] is a significant milestone for Fiji towards sustainable development measures of its ocean space" (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Speaking in Parliament, Economy Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, emphasised "consistent community engagement and correlation at the heart of its implementation plan," as the National Ocean Policy has contributed to develop a government structure for recognising the complexities of the ocean sector. ii) Regional "Blue Pacific Ocean Report" The Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) joined the One Ocean Hub in 2020 as a Project Partner. OPOC is a strategic policy, coordination and advocacy entity on regional ocean priorities for the Pacific region. The primary mission is to foster stewardship at scale, and enhance coordination, collaboration and integration for the sustainable development, management and conservation of the Pacific Ocean and its resources under the Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape and relevant regional policies and plans. Through its strategic situation and mandate, it can assist in guiding and identifying key gaps and relevant research focus for the One Ocean Hub. OPOC can contribute to identifying research topics, sourcing, identifying and connecting regional experts with the One Ocean Hub, disseminate results and outputs of the Hub as well as learning from experiences from other regions the One Ocean Hub is working with. Data produced by OPOC for public purposes can be shared with the Hub, including data as outcomes of specific joint work with the Hub. OPOC also has the possibility of using Hub outputs as high-level advocacy at the regional and global level, through the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and other senior regional representatives. In partnership with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, the same Hub research contributed towards the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021, notably a section on a policy network analysis of regional ocean-related policies (p 141 and Annex). This contribution was particularly important as whilst well-developed regional ocean-related policies have existed for decades, recently more integrated national ocean policies have been promulgated. Hub research mapped the interlinkages between regional and national policies to determine if they are evolving synergistically and concluded that while there is a "robust core to regional ocean-related policy in the Pacific" there are opportunities for enhancing policy coherence. Hub research underscored that "development", "capacity building", "governance", "production and use of knowledge" and "resource management" are not addressed to a significant extent in regional policies, whereas development and production of knowledge are firmly anchored in the policies of Fiji and the Solomon Islands. These results confirmed the relevance at the regional level of Fijian national stakeholders' recommendations to reflect on knowledge production in integrating policies, pointing to the need for further research on community involvement and integration of indigenous and local knowledge in policy development, implementation and coherence from the national to the regional level. The Commissioner thanked the Hub for "support[ing] identification of a route for regional sustainable development of the Pacific Ocean." This collaboration has achieved positive policy impacts. In collaboration with the Ministry of Economy of Fiji the Hub has co-developed Fiji's first National Ocean Policy that were enshrined in law in September 2021 in the Climate Change Act, setting ambitious new commitments including 100% sustainable management of the ocean and designate 30% marine protected areas by 2030. In collaboration with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner the Hub has contributed to the Blue Pacific Ocean Report. The Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages". Disciplines involved: marine science, law, International Relations, mathematics |
| Impact | Outputs The analysis has been presented as part of the One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ The recommendations made to the Ministry of Economy have been incorporated into the National Ocean Policy, and are explicitly cited on page 19 https://www.economy.gov.fj/images/CCIC/uploads/Ocean/NOP_2020_Print01.pdf The analysis has also informed the 'Blue Pacific Ocean Report' of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, and is included within the report, explicitly cited on page 141. https://opocbluepacific.net/publications/#blue-pacific-ocean-report Journal Article: Hills, J; Mazega, P, Lajaunie, C; Nandini-Maharaj, P. Orchestrating the Ocean using National Ocean Policies: the case of the Solomon Islands. Frontiers of Marine Science Special Edition. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages |
| Organisation | National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub has provided the infrastructure and innovative methodologies to bring together multiple stakeholders to co-design a transdisciplinary programme to address critical policy coherence issues in ocean governance arising in both national and regional levels in Fiji. On specific request from the Ministry of Economy, a One Ocean Hub team of researchers comprising Prof. Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, University Jean Jaurès, France), Dr. Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, University Aix-Marseille, France), Prof. Jeremy Hills (USP-overseas staff), Payal Maharaj (USP-Fiji), and Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde) analysed sector-based ocean policies in relation to the Fiji National Development Plan, to inform the development of a National Ocean Policy for Fiji. The analysis provided specific recommendations for strengthening coherence between the National Development Plan and ocean-related policies, and the interface between national policy priorities and the various sectors related directly or indirectly to the ocean. In parallel, the research team have been in ongoing engagement with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) to discuss the analysis and reviews of regional ocean policies in order to suggest a reform of these policies. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), France; National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS), France; University of Strathclyde, UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Fiji Government's Ministry of Economy, Fiji |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's team applied text mining and network analysis to ocean-related policies identified through a summary review of reports and literature, and stakeholder engagement in Fiji and Solomon Islands (since September 2019). This research was directly incorporated into: • Fiji's first National Ocean Policy (endorsed in 2021); and • the regional assessment of progress in ocean sustainability in Pacific Islands by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (Blue Pacific Ocean Report, launched, 2021). The assessment of existing national and regional policies identified gaps in the integration of sectors usually considered separate from ocean management, and the institutional (and historical) reasons for these gaps, feeding into recommendations to integrate indigenous and local knowledge, through community-level engagement and transdisciplinary research. i) Fiji's first National Ocean Policy Fiji's Ministry of Economy was leading the development of the first National Ocean Policy for Fiji. The Ministry engaged with Hub researchers in ongoing discussion and made available to the researchers relevant policy materials to aid the analysis. The Hub conducted an analysis of sector-based policies related to the National Development Plan of Fiji and identified the gaps that a new national ocean policy could fill, also taking into account regional and international policies. The analysis focused on seven Fijian policies and ten policies of the Pacific region and was presented at a Stakeholder and USP Workshop (3-6 December 2019, Suva, Fiji). Participants pointed to limitations in current understanding of the interconnectedness of all living organisms and policy complexity, due to limited engagement in the policy development process with indigenous and local knowledge holders. Then, fifteen ocean-related policies from the Solomon Islands were added to the analysis, to identify further links and gaps by way of comparison with another nation. The analysis found that Fiji's National Development Plan 2017-2036 was strongly linked to the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, the Integrated Coastal Management Framework and the National Climate Change Policy, but weakly connected to Fiji's National Adaptation Plan and the Fisheries Strategic Plan. These findings were directly included into the final draft of Fiji's National Ocean Policy (p 19, see Republic of Fiji National Ocean Policy 2020-2030 (fijiclimatechangeportal.gov.fj)), to show both progress in integration through the National Ocean Policy and the need for further policy integration with the fisheries sector. Stakeholders emphasised, moving forward, the need to scrutinise the extent to which national policy development includes communities, and the need to link the policy coherence findings with community-level research based on transdisciplinary research approaches in line with Pacific culture (University of South Pacific WP0 Synthesis Report: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/krcrvv3c4hl4qe8252kebk7qn9?0). Top-level objectives of the Fiji's National Ocean Policy were enshrined in law in September 2021 in the Climate Change Act (http://www.economy.gov.fj/images/CCIC/uploads/Climatechangeact/20210927_161640.pdf) which is among the world's most comprehensive pieces of climate legislation. Fiji's Minister of Economy wrote: "The Fijian Government thanks the One Ocean Hub for the support provided towards the development and finalisation of Fiiji's National Ocean Policy [which] is a significant milestone for Fiji towards sustainable development measures of its ocean space" (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Speaking in Parliament, Economy Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, emphasised "consistent community engagement and correlation at the heart of its implementation plan," as the National Ocean Policy has contributed to develop a government structure for recognising the complexities of the ocean sector. ii) Regional "Blue Pacific Ocean Report" The Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) joined the One Ocean Hub in 2020 as a Project Partner. OPOC is a strategic policy, coordination and advocacy entity on regional ocean priorities for the Pacific region. The primary mission is to foster stewardship at scale, and enhance coordination, collaboration and integration for the sustainable development, management and conservation of the Pacific Ocean and its resources under the Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape and relevant regional policies and plans. Through its strategic situation and mandate, it can assist in guiding and identifying key gaps and relevant research focus for the One Ocean Hub. OPOC can contribute to identifying research topics, sourcing, identifying and connecting regional experts with the One Ocean Hub, disseminate results and outputs of the Hub as well as learning from experiences from other regions the One Ocean Hub is working with. Data produced by OPOC for public purposes can be shared with the Hub, including data as outcomes of specific joint work with the Hub. OPOC also has the possibility of using Hub outputs as high-level advocacy at the regional and global level, through the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and other senior regional representatives. In partnership with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, the same Hub research contributed towards the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021, notably a section on a policy network analysis of regional ocean-related policies (p 141 and Annex). This contribution was particularly important as whilst well-developed regional ocean-related policies have existed for decades, recently more integrated national ocean policies have been promulgated. Hub research mapped the interlinkages between regional and national policies to determine if they are evolving synergistically and concluded that while there is a "robust core to regional ocean-related policy in the Pacific" there are opportunities for enhancing policy coherence. Hub research underscored that "development", "capacity building", "governance", "production and use of knowledge" and "resource management" are not addressed to a significant extent in regional policies, whereas development and production of knowledge are firmly anchored in the policies of Fiji and the Solomon Islands. These results confirmed the relevance at the regional level of Fijian national stakeholders' recommendations to reflect on knowledge production in integrating policies, pointing to the need for further research on community involvement and integration of indigenous and local knowledge in policy development, implementation and coherence from the national to the regional level. The Commissioner thanked the Hub for "support[ing] identification of a route for regional sustainable development of the Pacific Ocean." This collaboration has achieved positive policy impacts. In collaboration with the Ministry of Economy of Fiji the Hub has co-developed Fiji's first National Ocean Policy that were enshrined in law in September 2021 in the Climate Change Act, setting ambitious new commitments including 100% sustainable management of the ocean and designate 30% marine protected areas by 2030. In collaboration with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner the Hub has contributed to the Blue Pacific Ocean Report. The Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages". Disciplines involved: marine science, law, International Relations, mathematics |
| Impact | Outputs The analysis has been presented as part of the One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ The recommendations made to the Ministry of Economy have been incorporated into the National Ocean Policy, and are explicitly cited on page 19 https://www.economy.gov.fj/images/CCIC/uploads/Ocean/NOP_2020_Print01.pdf The analysis has also informed the 'Blue Pacific Ocean Report' of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, and is included within the report, explicitly cited on page 141. https://opocbluepacific.net/publications/#blue-pacific-ocean-report Journal Article: Hills, J; Mazega, P, Lajaunie, C; Nandini-Maharaj, P. Orchestrating the Ocean using National Ocean Policies: the case of the Solomon Islands. Frontiers of Marine Science Special Edition. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages |
| Organisation | Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub has provided the infrastructure and innovative methodologies to bring together multiple stakeholders to co-design a transdisciplinary programme to address critical policy coherence issues in ocean governance arising in both national and regional levels in Fiji. On specific request from the Ministry of Economy, a One Ocean Hub team of researchers comprising Prof. Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, University Jean Jaurès, France), Dr. Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, University Aix-Marseille, France), Prof. Jeremy Hills (USP-overseas staff), Payal Maharaj (USP-Fiji), and Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde) analysed sector-based ocean policies in relation to the Fiji National Development Plan, to inform the development of a National Ocean Policy for Fiji. The analysis provided specific recommendations for strengthening coherence between the National Development Plan and ocean-related policies, and the interface between national policy priorities and the various sectors related directly or indirectly to the ocean. In parallel, the research team have been in ongoing engagement with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) to discuss the analysis and reviews of regional ocean policies in order to suggest a reform of these policies. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), France; National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS), France; University of Strathclyde, UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), Fiji; Fiji Government's Ministry of Economy, Fiji |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's team applied text mining and network analysis to ocean-related policies identified through a summary review of reports and literature, and stakeholder engagement in Fiji and Solomon Islands (since September 2019). This research was directly incorporated into: • Fiji's first National Ocean Policy (endorsed in 2021); and • the regional assessment of progress in ocean sustainability in Pacific Islands by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (Blue Pacific Ocean Report, launched, 2021). The assessment of existing national and regional policies identified gaps in the integration of sectors usually considered separate from ocean management, and the institutional (and historical) reasons for these gaps, feeding into recommendations to integrate indigenous and local knowledge, through community-level engagement and transdisciplinary research. i) Fiji's first National Ocean Policy Fiji's Ministry of Economy was leading the development of the first National Ocean Policy for Fiji. The Ministry engaged with Hub researchers in ongoing discussion and made available to the researchers relevant policy materials to aid the analysis. The Hub conducted an analysis of sector-based policies related to the National Development Plan of Fiji and identified the gaps that a new national ocean policy could fill, also taking into account regional and international policies. The analysis focused on seven Fijian policies and ten policies of the Pacific region and was presented at a Stakeholder and USP Workshop (3-6 December 2019, Suva, Fiji). Participants pointed to limitations in current understanding of the interconnectedness of all living organisms and policy complexity, due to limited engagement in the policy development process with indigenous and local knowledge holders. Then, fifteen ocean-related policies from the Solomon Islands were added to the analysis, to identify further links and gaps by way of comparison with another nation. The analysis found that Fiji's National Development Plan 2017-2036 was strongly linked to the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, the Integrated Coastal Management Framework and the National Climate Change Policy, but weakly connected to Fiji's National Adaptation Plan and the Fisheries Strategic Plan. These findings were directly included into the final draft of Fiji's National Ocean Policy (p 19, see Republic of Fiji National Ocean Policy 2020-2030 (fijiclimatechangeportal.gov.fj)), to show both progress in integration through the National Ocean Policy and the need for further policy integration with the fisheries sector. Stakeholders emphasised, moving forward, the need to scrutinise the extent to which national policy development includes communities, and the need to link the policy coherence findings with community-level research based on transdisciplinary research approaches in line with Pacific culture (University of South Pacific WP0 Synthesis Report: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/krcrvv3c4hl4qe8252kebk7qn9?0). Top-level objectives of the Fiji's National Ocean Policy were enshrined in law in September 2021 in the Climate Change Act (http://www.economy.gov.fj/images/CCIC/uploads/Climatechangeact/20210927_161640.pdf) which is among the world's most comprehensive pieces of climate legislation. Fiji's Minister of Economy wrote: "The Fijian Government thanks the One Ocean Hub for the support provided towards the development and finalisation of Fiiji's National Ocean Policy [which] is a significant milestone for Fiji towards sustainable development measures of its ocean space" (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Speaking in Parliament, Economy Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, emphasised "consistent community engagement and correlation at the heart of its implementation plan," as the National Ocean Policy has contributed to develop a government structure for recognising the complexities of the ocean sector. ii) Regional "Blue Pacific Ocean Report" The Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) joined the One Ocean Hub in 2020 as a Project Partner. OPOC is a strategic policy, coordination and advocacy entity on regional ocean priorities for the Pacific region. The primary mission is to foster stewardship at scale, and enhance coordination, collaboration and integration for the sustainable development, management and conservation of the Pacific Ocean and its resources under the Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape and relevant regional policies and plans. Through its strategic situation and mandate, it can assist in guiding and identifying key gaps and relevant research focus for the One Ocean Hub. OPOC can contribute to identifying research topics, sourcing, identifying and connecting regional experts with the One Ocean Hub, disseminate results and outputs of the Hub as well as learning from experiences from other regions the One Ocean Hub is working with. Data produced by OPOC for public purposes can be shared with the Hub, including data as outcomes of specific joint work with the Hub. OPOC also has the possibility of using Hub outputs as high-level advocacy at the regional and global level, through the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and other senior regional representatives. In partnership with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, the same Hub research contributed towards the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021, notably a section on a policy network analysis of regional ocean-related policies (p 141 and Annex). This contribution was particularly important as whilst well-developed regional ocean-related policies have existed for decades, recently more integrated national ocean policies have been promulgated. Hub research mapped the interlinkages between regional and national policies to determine if they are evolving synergistically and concluded that while there is a "robust core to regional ocean-related policy in the Pacific" there are opportunities for enhancing policy coherence. Hub research underscored that "development", "capacity building", "governance", "production and use of knowledge" and "resource management" are not addressed to a significant extent in regional policies, whereas development and production of knowledge are firmly anchored in the policies of Fiji and the Solomon Islands. These results confirmed the relevance at the regional level of Fijian national stakeholders' recommendations to reflect on knowledge production in integrating policies, pointing to the need for further research on community involvement and integration of indigenous and local knowledge in policy development, implementation and coherence from the national to the regional level. The Commissioner thanked the Hub for "support[ing] identification of a route for regional sustainable development of the Pacific Ocean." This collaboration has achieved positive policy impacts. In collaboration with the Ministry of Economy of Fiji the Hub has co-developed Fiji's first National Ocean Policy that were enshrined in law in September 2021 in the Climate Change Act, setting ambitious new commitments including 100% sustainable management of the ocean and designate 30% marine protected areas by 2030. In collaboration with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner the Hub has contributed to the Blue Pacific Ocean Report. The Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages". Disciplines involved: marine science, law, International Relations, mathematics |
| Impact | Outputs The analysis has been presented as part of the One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ The recommendations made to the Ministry of Economy have been incorporated into the National Ocean Policy, and are explicitly cited on page 19 https://www.economy.gov.fj/images/CCIC/uploads/Ocean/NOP_2020_Print01.pdf The analysis has also informed the 'Blue Pacific Ocean Report' of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, and is included within the report, explicitly cited on page 141. https://opocbluepacific.net/publications/#blue-pacific-ocean-report Journal Article: Hills, J; Mazega, P, Lajaunie, C; Nandini-Maharaj, P. Orchestrating the Ocean using National Ocean Policies: the case of the Solomon Islands. Frontiers of Marine Science Special Edition. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: Cocooned in Harmony |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project, Cocooned in Harmony, was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021, and is led by Dr Eric Otchere, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Working with a team of early-career researchers and production crew, Otchere recorded a documentary film that captures the songs of fishermen from the Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Westerns districts of Ghana. The documentary is available, in English, Fante and Ewe. Artisanal fishermen along the coastline of Ghana use music to express their relationships with the ocean. Singing provides rhythms with which to haul heavy nets from the sea, dancing releases sand from the body and clapping removes water from the hands to minimise blistering and pain. In addition, song lyrics traverse a range of themes including poverty and hardship resulting from injustice and corruption, belief in gods and alterative worlds, kin networks and gender relations. History is encoded in many songs to educate younger generations, promote Indigenous customs and share traditional knowledge systems Through song, fishermen communicate their views on sensitive social and political issues. Illegal overfishing by industrial trawlers is a cause of significant economic hardship for many Ghanaian coastal communities. Fish stocks such as anchovy, sardinella and sea bream are on the verge of collapse. Singing is an act of resistance that calls for a fairer world. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as: - the Hub's led UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0); - Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI) and - Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one project director, three early-career researchers, one MPhil student and one producer. The film, produced in English, Fante and Ewe, has twice been screened on Ghanaian national television, reaching thousands of viewers to increase awareness and appreciation of fisherfolk songs. Two community screenings have included art activities for children, facilitated by Arts Untold (a local art organization), to encourage inter-generational knowledge transmission and increase recognition of the value of intangible cultural heritage. Copies of the film have been shared with local leaders, who have held their own community screenings. Preliminary discussions with the Ghana Commission for UNESCO have been initiated, with a view to having fisherfolk songs inscribed on the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The project has resulted in further research and collaboration with fisher communities. Dr Otchere produced Nyansapo (Wisdom Knot), which is a medley of 43 new songs that reflect upon issue such as overfishing, climate change and pollution. Lyricists have introduced these songs into their communities and researchers are tracking their spread. A follow-up documentary is in production based on this work. In the City of Bonn, Germany, the documentary has been adopted by the Adult Education Centre as part of a programme about the Sustainable Development Goals. Also, in Bonn, the Fringe Ensemble is producing a stage play based on the film, in which local fishers will appear alongside professional actors. The documentary has inspired student projects at Zeppelin University and a PhD proposal with the University of Cape Coast. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Eric Debrah Otchere with Mawukplorm Abla Adjahoe, Madinatu Bello, Bismark Ofori, Maxwell Quainoo, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah. Cocooned in Harmony. 2022. Documentary film. Ghana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s Project collaborators: Mawukplorm Harriet Abla Adjahoe, Charles Afari, Madinatu Bello, Wisdom Komabu, Bismark Ofori, Eric Debrah Otchere, Maxwell Quainoo, Eva Seraphim Quist Quansah, Benedict Sackey, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah, Enoch Vigbedor Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • Otchere, E. Cocooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers. 14 Dec 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/cocooned-in-harmony-songs-of-ghanaian-artisanal-fishers/ • Otchere, E. Fishers' Songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A Documentary Film 'Cocooned in Harmony' Screens at the Centre for Contemporary Arts. 6 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • Otchere, E. Screening 'Cocooned in Harmony': Reflections and the Way Forward. 7 Sep 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/screening-cocooned-in-harmony-reflections-and-the-way-forward/ Screenings • Joy News Channel (DSTV Channel 421, Ghana). 28 January 2022 and 29 January 2022. • Global Music (GLOMUS). Royal Academy of the Arts, Aarhus. 17-28 August 2022, with Q&A. • Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow. 19 May 2023, with Q&A. (28 attendees) • Pan-African Society for Musical Arts Education. University of Cape Coast, Ghana. 25 July 2023, with roundtable. • Identity and Alterity Meets Musicality and Performance. Zeppelin University, Germany. July 2023, with roundtable. • Chale Wote Street Art Festival. Ghana. 22 August 2023 and 25 August 2023, with Q&A. • Bayimba Festival of the Arts. Uganda. 30 August 2023, with Q&A. • SDG Day. Bonn, Germany, 10 September 2023, with Q&A. Events • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Asokyebedzi community screening [Fante version], Ghana. 2 August 2022. (370 attendees) • Launch. Youtube. 31 August 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s (3562 views) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Eric Otchere. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: Cocooned in Harmony |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project, Cocooned in Harmony, was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021, and is led by Dr Eric Otchere, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Working with a team of early-career researchers and production crew, Otchere recorded a documentary film that captures the songs of fishermen from the Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Westerns districts of Ghana. The documentary is available, in English, Fante and Ewe. Artisanal fishermen along the coastline of Ghana use music to express their relationships with the ocean. Singing provides rhythms with which to haul heavy nets from the sea, dancing releases sand from the body and clapping removes water from the hands to minimise blistering and pain. In addition, song lyrics traverse a range of themes including poverty and hardship resulting from injustice and corruption, belief in gods and alterative worlds, kin networks and gender relations. History is encoded in many songs to educate younger generations, promote Indigenous customs and share traditional knowledge systems Through song, fishermen communicate their views on sensitive social and political issues. Illegal overfishing by industrial trawlers is a cause of significant economic hardship for many Ghanaian coastal communities. Fish stocks such as anchovy, sardinella and sea bream are on the verge of collapse. Singing is an act of resistance that calls for a fairer world. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as: - the Hub's led UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0); - Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI) and - Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one project director, three early-career researchers, one MPhil student and one producer. The film, produced in English, Fante and Ewe, has twice been screened on Ghanaian national television, reaching thousands of viewers to increase awareness and appreciation of fisherfolk songs. Two community screenings have included art activities for children, facilitated by Arts Untold (a local art organization), to encourage inter-generational knowledge transmission and increase recognition of the value of intangible cultural heritage. Copies of the film have been shared with local leaders, who have held their own community screenings. Preliminary discussions with the Ghana Commission for UNESCO have been initiated, with a view to having fisherfolk songs inscribed on the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The project has resulted in further research and collaboration with fisher communities. Dr Otchere produced Nyansapo (Wisdom Knot), which is a medley of 43 new songs that reflect upon issue such as overfishing, climate change and pollution. Lyricists have introduced these songs into their communities and researchers are tracking their spread. A follow-up documentary is in production based on this work. In the City of Bonn, Germany, the documentary has been adopted by the Adult Education Centre as part of a programme about the Sustainable Development Goals. Also, in Bonn, the Fringe Ensemble is producing a stage play based on the film, in which local fishers will appear alongside professional actors. The documentary has inspired student projects at Zeppelin University and a PhD proposal with the University of Cape Coast. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Eric Debrah Otchere with Mawukplorm Abla Adjahoe, Madinatu Bello, Bismark Ofori, Maxwell Quainoo, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah. Cocooned in Harmony. 2022. Documentary film. Ghana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s Project collaborators: Mawukplorm Harriet Abla Adjahoe, Charles Afari, Madinatu Bello, Wisdom Komabu, Bismark Ofori, Eric Debrah Otchere, Maxwell Quainoo, Eva Seraphim Quist Quansah, Benedict Sackey, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah, Enoch Vigbedor Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • Otchere, E. Cocooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers. 14 Dec 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/cocooned-in-harmony-songs-of-ghanaian-artisanal-fishers/ • Otchere, E. Fishers' Songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A Documentary Film 'Cocooned in Harmony' Screens at the Centre for Contemporary Arts. 6 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • Otchere, E. Screening 'Cocooned in Harmony': Reflections and the Way Forward. 7 Sep 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/screening-cocooned-in-harmony-reflections-and-the-way-forward/ Screenings • Joy News Channel (DSTV Channel 421, Ghana). 28 January 2022 and 29 January 2022. • Global Music (GLOMUS). Royal Academy of the Arts, Aarhus. 17-28 August 2022, with Q&A. • Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow. 19 May 2023, with Q&A. (28 attendees) • Pan-African Society for Musical Arts Education. University of Cape Coast, Ghana. 25 July 2023, with roundtable. • Identity and Alterity Meets Musicality and Performance. Zeppelin University, Germany. July 2023, with roundtable. • Chale Wote Street Art Festival. Ghana. 22 August 2023 and 25 August 2023, with Q&A. • Bayimba Festival of the Arts. Uganda. 30 August 2023, with Q&A. • SDG Day. Bonn, Germany, 10 September 2023, with Q&A. Events • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Asokyebedzi community screening [Fante version], Ghana. 2 August 2022. (370 attendees) • Launch. Youtube. 31 August 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s (3562 views) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Eric Otchere. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: Cocooned in Harmony |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project, Cocooned in Harmony, was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021, and is led by Dr Eric Otchere, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Working with a team of early-career researchers and production crew, Otchere recorded a documentary film that captures the songs of fishermen from the Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Westerns districts of Ghana. The documentary is available, in English, Fante and Ewe. Artisanal fishermen along the coastline of Ghana use music to express their relationships with the ocean. Singing provides rhythms with which to haul heavy nets from the sea, dancing releases sand from the body and clapping removes water from the hands to minimise blistering and pain. In addition, song lyrics traverse a range of themes including poverty and hardship resulting from injustice and corruption, belief in gods and alterative worlds, kin networks and gender relations. History is encoded in many songs to educate younger generations, promote Indigenous customs and share traditional knowledge systems Through song, fishermen communicate their views on sensitive social and political issues. Illegal overfishing by industrial trawlers is a cause of significant economic hardship for many Ghanaian coastal communities. Fish stocks such as anchovy, sardinella and sea bream are on the verge of collapse. Singing is an act of resistance that calls for a fairer world. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as: - the Hub's led UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0); - Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI) and - Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one project director, three early-career researchers, one MPhil student and one producer. The film, produced in English, Fante and Ewe, has twice been screened on Ghanaian national television, reaching thousands of viewers to increase awareness and appreciation of fisherfolk songs. Two community screenings have included art activities for children, facilitated by Arts Untold (a local art organization), to encourage inter-generational knowledge transmission and increase recognition of the value of intangible cultural heritage. Copies of the film have been shared with local leaders, who have held their own community screenings. Preliminary discussions with the Ghana Commission for UNESCO have been initiated, with a view to having fisherfolk songs inscribed on the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The project has resulted in further research and collaboration with fisher communities. Dr Otchere produced Nyansapo (Wisdom Knot), which is a medley of 43 new songs that reflect upon issue such as overfishing, climate change and pollution. Lyricists have introduced these songs into their communities and researchers are tracking their spread. A follow-up documentary is in production based on this work. In the City of Bonn, Germany, the documentary has been adopted by the Adult Education Centre as part of a programme about the Sustainable Development Goals. Also, in Bonn, the Fringe Ensemble is producing a stage play based on the film, in which local fishers will appear alongside professional actors. The documentary has inspired student projects at Zeppelin University and a PhD proposal with the University of Cape Coast. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Eric Debrah Otchere with Mawukplorm Abla Adjahoe, Madinatu Bello, Bismark Ofori, Maxwell Quainoo, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah. Cocooned in Harmony. 2022. Documentary film. Ghana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s Project collaborators: Mawukplorm Harriet Abla Adjahoe, Charles Afari, Madinatu Bello, Wisdom Komabu, Bismark Ofori, Eric Debrah Otchere, Maxwell Quainoo, Eva Seraphim Quist Quansah, Benedict Sackey, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah, Enoch Vigbedor Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • Otchere, E. Cocooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers. 14 Dec 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/cocooned-in-harmony-songs-of-ghanaian-artisanal-fishers/ • Otchere, E. Fishers' Songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A Documentary Film 'Cocooned in Harmony' Screens at the Centre for Contemporary Arts. 6 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • Otchere, E. Screening 'Cocooned in Harmony': Reflections and the Way Forward. 7 Sep 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/screening-cocooned-in-harmony-reflections-and-the-way-forward/ Screenings • Joy News Channel (DSTV Channel 421, Ghana). 28 January 2022 and 29 January 2022. • Global Music (GLOMUS). Royal Academy of the Arts, Aarhus. 17-28 August 2022, with Q&A. • Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow. 19 May 2023, with Q&A. (28 attendees) • Pan-African Society for Musical Arts Education. University of Cape Coast, Ghana. 25 July 2023, with roundtable. • Identity and Alterity Meets Musicality and Performance. Zeppelin University, Germany. July 2023, with roundtable. • Chale Wote Street Art Festival. Ghana. 22 August 2023 and 25 August 2023, with Q&A. • Bayimba Festival of the Arts. Uganda. 30 August 2023, with Q&A. • SDG Day. Bonn, Germany, 10 September 2023, with Q&A. Events • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Asokyebedzi community screening [Fante version], Ghana. 2 August 2022. (370 attendees) • Launch. Youtube. 31 August 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s (3562 views) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Eric Otchere. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: Cocooned in Harmony |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project, Cocooned in Harmony, was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021, and is led by Dr Eric Otchere, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Working with a team of early-career researchers and production crew, Otchere recorded a documentary film that captures the songs of fishermen from the Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Westerns districts of Ghana. The documentary is available, in English, Fante and Ewe. Artisanal fishermen along the coastline of Ghana use music to express their relationships with the ocean. Singing provides rhythms with which to haul heavy nets from the sea, dancing releases sand from the body and clapping removes water from the hands to minimise blistering and pain. In addition, song lyrics traverse a range of themes including poverty and hardship resulting from injustice and corruption, belief in gods and alterative worlds, kin networks and gender relations. History is encoded in many songs to educate younger generations, promote Indigenous customs and share traditional knowledge systems Through song, fishermen communicate their views on sensitive social and political issues. Illegal overfishing by industrial trawlers is a cause of significant economic hardship for many Ghanaian coastal communities. Fish stocks such as anchovy, sardinella and sea bream are on the verge of collapse. Singing is an act of resistance that calls for a fairer world. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as: - the Hub's led UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0); - Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI) and - Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one project director, three early-career researchers, one MPhil student and one producer. The film, produced in English, Fante and Ewe, has twice been screened on Ghanaian national television, reaching thousands of viewers to increase awareness and appreciation of fisherfolk songs. Two community screenings have included art activities for children, facilitated by Arts Untold (a local art organization), to encourage inter-generational knowledge transmission and increase recognition of the value of intangible cultural heritage. Copies of the film have been shared with local leaders, who have held their own community screenings. Preliminary discussions with the Ghana Commission for UNESCO have been initiated, with a view to having fisherfolk songs inscribed on the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The project has resulted in further research and collaboration with fisher communities. Dr Otchere produced Nyansapo (Wisdom Knot), which is a medley of 43 new songs that reflect upon issue such as overfishing, climate change and pollution. Lyricists have introduced these songs into their communities and researchers are tracking their spread. A follow-up documentary is in production based on this work. In the City of Bonn, Germany, the documentary has been adopted by the Adult Education Centre as part of a programme about the Sustainable Development Goals. Also, in Bonn, the Fringe Ensemble is producing a stage play based on the film, in which local fishers will appear alongside professional actors. The documentary has inspired student projects at Zeppelin University and a PhD proposal with the University of Cape Coast. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Eric Debrah Otchere with Mawukplorm Abla Adjahoe, Madinatu Bello, Bismark Ofori, Maxwell Quainoo, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah. Cocooned in Harmony. 2022. Documentary film. Ghana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s Project collaborators: Mawukplorm Harriet Abla Adjahoe, Charles Afari, Madinatu Bello, Wisdom Komabu, Bismark Ofori, Eric Debrah Otchere, Maxwell Quainoo, Eva Seraphim Quist Quansah, Benedict Sackey, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah, Enoch Vigbedor Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • Otchere, E. Cocooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers. 14 Dec 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/cocooned-in-harmony-songs-of-ghanaian-artisanal-fishers/ • Otchere, E. Fishers' Songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A Documentary Film 'Cocooned in Harmony' Screens at the Centre for Contemporary Arts. 6 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • Otchere, E. Screening 'Cocooned in Harmony': Reflections and the Way Forward. 7 Sep 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/screening-cocooned-in-harmony-reflections-and-the-way-forward/ Screenings • Joy News Channel (DSTV Channel 421, Ghana). 28 January 2022 and 29 January 2022. • Global Music (GLOMUS). Royal Academy of the Arts, Aarhus. 17-28 August 2022, with Q&A. • Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow. 19 May 2023, with Q&A. (28 attendees) • Pan-African Society for Musical Arts Education. University of Cape Coast, Ghana. 25 July 2023, with roundtable. • Identity and Alterity Meets Musicality and Performance. Zeppelin University, Germany. July 2023, with roundtable. • Chale Wote Street Art Festival. Ghana. 22 August 2023 and 25 August 2023, with Q&A. • Bayimba Festival of the Arts. Uganda. 30 August 2023, with Q&A. • SDG Day. Bonn, Germany, 10 September 2023, with Q&A. Events • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Asokyebedzi community screening [Fante version], Ghana. 2 August 2022. (370 attendees) • Launch. Youtube. 31 August 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s (3562 views) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Eric Otchere. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: Cocooned in Harmony |
| Organisation | University of the South Pacific, Laucala |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project, Cocooned in Harmony, was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021, and is led by Dr Eric Otchere, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Working with a team of early-career researchers and production crew, Otchere recorded a documentary film that captures the songs of fishermen from the Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Westerns districts of Ghana. The documentary is available, in English, Fante and Ewe. Artisanal fishermen along the coastline of Ghana use music to express their relationships with the ocean. Singing provides rhythms with which to haul heavy nets from the sea, dancing releases sand from the body and clapping removes water from the hands to minimise blistering and pain. In addition, song lyrics traverse a range of themes including poverty and hardship resulting from injustice and corruption, belief in gods and alterative worlds, kin networks and gender relations. History is encoded in many songs to educate younger generations, promote Indigenous customs and share traditional knowledge systems Through song, fishermen communicate their views on sensitive social and political issues. Illegal overfishing by industrial trawlers is a cause of significant economic hardship for many Ghanaian coastal communities. Fish stocks such as anchovy, sardinella and sea bream are on the verge of collapse. Singing is an act of resistance that calls for a fairer world. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as: - the Hub's led UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0); - Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI) and - Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one project director, three early-career researchers, one MPhil student and one producer. The film, produced in English, Fante and Ewe, has twice been screened on Ghanaian national television, reaching thousands of viewers to increase awareness and appreciation of fisherfolk songs. Two community screenings have included art activities for children, facilitated by Arts Untold (a local art organization), to encourage inter-generational knowledge transmission and increase recognition of the value of intangible cultural heritage. Copies of the film have been shared with local leaders, who have held their own community screenings. Preliminary discussions with the Ghana Commission for UNESCO have been initiated, with a view to having fisherfolk songs inscribed on the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The project has resulted in further research and collaboration with fisher communities. Dr Otchere produced Nyansapo (Wisdom Knot), which is a medley of 43 new songs that reflect upon issue such as overfishing, climate change and pollution. Lyricists have introduced these songs into their communities and researchers are tracking their spread. A follow-up documentary is in production based on this work. In the City of Bonn, Germany, the documentary has been adopted by the Adult Education Centre as part of a programme about the Sustainable Development Goals. Also, in Bonn, the Fringe Ensemble is producing a stage play based on the film, in which local fishers will appear alongside professional actors. The documentary has inspired student projects at Zeppelin University and a PhD proposal with the University of Cape Coast. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Eric Debrah Otchere with Mawukplorm Abla Adjahoe, Madinatu Bello, Bismark Ofori, Maxwell Quainoo, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah. Cocooned in Harmony. 2022. Documentary film. Ghana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s Project collaborators: Mawukplorm Harriet Abla Adjahoe, Charles Afari, Madinatu Bello, Wisdom Komabu, Bismark Ofori, Eric Debrah Otchere, Maxwell Quainoo, Eva Seraphim Quist Quansah, Benedict Sackey, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah, Enoch Vigbedor Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • Otchere, E. Cocooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers. 14 Dec 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/cocooned-in-harmony-songs-of-ghanaian-artisanal-fishers/ • Otchere, E. Fishers' Songs from Ghana to Glasgow - A Documentary Film 'Cocooned in Harmony' Screens at the Centre for Contemporary Arts. 6 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-songs-from-ghana-to-glasgow-a-documentary-film-cocooned-in-harmony-screens-at-the-centre-of-contemporary-arts/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • Otchere, E. Screening 'Cocooned in Harmony': Reflections and the Way Forward. 7 Sep 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/screening-cocooned-in-harmony-reflections-and-the-way-forward/ Screenings • Joy News Channel (DSTV Channel 421, Ghana). 28 January 2022 and 29 January 2022. • Global Music (GLOMUS). Royal Academy of the Arts, Aarhus. 17-28 August 2022, with Q&A. • Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow. 19 May 2023, with Q&A. (28 attendees) • Pan-African Society for Musical Arts Education. University of Cape Coast, Ghana. 25 July 2023, with roundtable. • Identity and Alterity Meets Musicality and Performance. Zeppelin University, Germany. July 2023, with roundtable. • Chale Wote Street Art Festival. Ghana. 22 August 2023 and 25 August 2023, with Q&A. • Bayimba Festival of the Arts. Uganda. 30 August 2023, with Q&A. • SDG Day. Bonn, Germany, 10 September 2023, with Q&A. Events • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Asokyebedzi community screening [Fante version], Ghana. 2 August 2022. (370 attendees) • Launch. Youtube. 31 August 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s (3562 views) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Eric Otchere. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: I Sea the Blue |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2022. To encourage efforts to conserve turtle populations, Drama Queens produced the graphic novel Aku and the Journey of the Turtle Spirit. Alongside an illustrated story, the publication includes a zine that presents short stories and poems written in varying languages and dialects by young people from the towns of Anloga and Anyanui. The coastline of Ghana provides essential habitat for three species of turtle: Olive Ridleys, Green Turtles and Leatherbacks. Loggerheads and Hawksbills also visit the country's waters. Between September and January, turtles' nest in the sand, where they lay up to 150 eggs each per season. Sea turtles are crucial to healthy ocean ecosystems. They support coral reefs, forage seagrass and regulate predatory jellyfish. In traditional Ghanaian stories, turtles are represented as protectors and guides during bad weather and rough seas. They are also regarded as saviours who helped ancestors escape from European slave ships. All species of turtle are protected under Ghanaian law. However, poaching and egg harvesting still occur. Plastic debris and fishing nets, pollution, coastal development and environmental erosion are also serious threats. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific We are planning to include Aku and the Journey of the Turtle Spirit as a virtual exhibition on One Ocean Learn, the knowledge-translation platform that the Hub is co-developing with the UN Institute for Training and Research (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). Researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one non-binary creative director, one female executive producer, three writers (one of whom is female), one female graphic illustrator and two female editors. The graphic novel has been distributed to 260 children, ten schools, one orphanage, one community library and one community organisation. In Accra, reading sessions having been held with six schools and one community organisation, engaging 420 children. Reading sessions have been held with four schools, one orphanage and one community library in the Anloga/Anyanui/Keta region, engaging 300 children. These sessions have transmitted knowledge, increased literacy and promoted ocean conservation. In the Anloga/Anyanui/Keta region, the sessions have been a rare opportunity for students to engage with artistic extra-curricular activities, as such initiatives are usually limited to Accra and other major cities. Displaying a selection of the novel's pages as large-scale panels has been a particularly effective exhibition strategy. The panels are now being used by Drama Queens in local exhibitions and education programmes to engage the attention of children and visually reinforce links between art, activism, social change and the environment. The project has supported Drama Queens to build deeper connections with local communities and refine the organisation's approach to advocacy. The project was the first time Drama Queens has engaged with schools and local school district authorities, with necessary relationships developed to facilitate future work. Based on the success of the project, Drama Queens has been invited back to a number of schools to undertake sessions that focus on advocacy themes including consent to prevent sexual violence and the role of women in Ghana's attainment of independence. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Drama Queens. I Sea the Blue. 2023. Graphic novel. Ghana Project collaborators: Ursula Abanga, Kwame Boateng Acheampong, Ezekiel Addy, Bless Emefa Adevu, Bright Mawunyo Adzagba, Kimathi Agbanu, Dennis Kwaku Frimpong Agyemang, Kokui Edem Axolu, Daniel Baffour, Kofi Konadu Berko, Heine Bravie, Robert Kwame Dapaah, Ramla Bashiru Dapilah, Portia Asantewaa Duah, Amina Gimba, Imara Glymph, Becca Grant, Mirco Gyan, Michaella Gyatsen, Maia Kauffman, Theophly Kwapong, Nyasha Mugavazi, Doris Nana Esi Dede Odoi, Angela Otoo, Xenyo Pearl, James Selasi Quarshie, Gabriella Rockson, Micheala Rockson, Mira Weidner, Alexander Ove Tryde Zachariassenj Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • Book distribution and reading session. Anyanui DA Basic School. 30 August 2023. (30 attendees, 12 books distributed) • Book distribution and reading session. Agbledomi School. 30 August 2023 (40 attendees, 12 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Keta Library. 31 August 2023. (50 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Father's Home Orphanage. 31 August 2023. ` (100 attendees, 25 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Anloga RC Basic School. 1 September 2023. (40 attendees, 12 books donated) • Launch. Pa Gya Literary Festival, Accra, Ghana. 14 October 2023. (120 attendees) • Book distribution and reading session. The Good Tree. 4 November 2024. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Immaculate RC, Basic. 4 December 2023. (65 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Jamestown "Gb3k3bii" School. 5 December 2023. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Adabraka Presby School. 13 December 2023. (45 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Khyriatu Islamic School. 15 December 2023. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Great New Life Academy. 2 February 2024 (50 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. St. Michael Morninger Junior High School. 15 February 2024. (55 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Better Future Academy. 20 February 2024 (40 attendees, 20 books donated) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Hues of Liberation. South Village, Accra, Ghana. 28 December 2023. (100 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: I Sea the Blue |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2022. To encourage efforts to conserve turtle populations, Drama Queens produced the graphic novel Aku and the Journey of the Turtle Spirit. Alongside an illustrated story, the publication includes a zine that presents short stories and poems written in varying languages and dialects by young people from the towns of Anloga and Anyanui. The coastline of Ghana provides essential habitat for three species of turtle: Olive Ridleys, Green Turtles and Leatherbacks. Loggerheads and Hawksbills also visit the country's waters. Between September and January, turtles' nest in the sand, where they lay up to 150 eggs each per season. Sea turtles are crucial to healthy ocean ecosystems. They support coral reefs, forage seagrass and regulate predatory jellyfish. In traditional Ghanaian stories, turtles are represented as protectors and guides during bad weather and rough seas. They are also regarded as saviours who helped ancestors escape from European slave ships. All species of turtle are protected under Ghanaian law. However, poaching and egg harvesting still occur. Plastic debris and fishing nets, pollution, coastal development and environmental erosion are also serious threats. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific We are planning to include Aku and the Journey of the Turtle Spirit as a virtual exhibition on One Ocean Learn, the knowledge-translation platform that the Hub is co-developing with the UN Institute for Training and Research (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). Researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one non-binary creative director, one female executive producer, three writers (one of whom is female), one female graphic illustrator and two female editors. The graphic novel has been distributed to 260 children, ten schools, one orphanage, one community library and one community organisation. In Accra, reading sessions having been held with six schools and one community organisation, engaging 420 children. Reading sessions have been held with four schools, one orphanage and one community library in the Anloga/Anyanui/Keta region, engaging 300 children. These sessions have transmitted knowledge, increased literacy and promoted ocean conservation. In the Anloga/Anyanui/Keta region, the sessions have been a rare opportunity for students to engage with artistic extra-curricular activities, as such initiatives are usually limited to Accra and other major cities. Displaying a selection of the novel's pages as large-scale panels has been a particularly effective exhibition strategy. The panels are now being used by Drama Queens in local exhibitions and education programmes to engage the attention of children and visually reinforce links between art, activism, social change and the environment. The project has supported Drama Queens to build deeper connections with local communities and refine the organisation's approach to advocacy. The project was the first time Drama Queens has engaged with schools and local school district authorities, with necessary relationships developed to facilitate future work. Based on the success of the project, Drama Queens has been invited back to a number of schools to undertake sessions that focus on advocacy themes including consent to prevent sexual violence and the role of women in Ghana's attainment of independence. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Drama Queens. I Sea the Blue. 2023. Graphic novel. Ghana Project collaborators: Ursula Abanga, Kwame Boateng Acheampong, Ezekiel Addy, Bless Emefa Adevu, Bright Mawunyo Adzagba, Kimathi Agbanu, Dennis Kwaku Frimpong Agyemang, Kokui Edem Axolu, Daniel Baffour, Kofi Konadu Berko, Heine Bravie, Robert Kwame Dapaah, Ramla Bashiru Dapilah, Portia Asantewaa Duah, Amina Gimba, Imara Glymph, Becca Grant, Mirco Gyan, Michaella Gyatsen, Maia Kauffman, Theophly Kwapong, Nyasha Mugavazi, Doris Nana Esi Dede Odoi, Angela Otoo, Xenyo Pearl, James Selasi Quarshie, Gabriella Rockson, Micheala Rockson, Mira Weidner, Alexander Ove Tryde Zachariassenj Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • Book distribution and reading session. Anyanui DA Basic School. 30 August 2023. (30 attendees, 12 books distributed) • Book distribution and reading session. Agbledomi School. 30 August 2023 (40 attendees, 12 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Keta Library. 31 August 2023. (50 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Father's Home Orphanage. 31 August 2023. ` (100 attendees, 25 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Anloga RC Basic School. 1 September 2023. (40 attendees, 12 books donated) • Launch. Pa Gya Literary Festival, Accra, Ghana. 14 October 2023. (120 attendees) • Book distribution and reading session. The Good Tree. 4 November 2024. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Immaculate RC, Basic. 4 December 2023. (65 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Jamestown "Gb3k3bii" School. 5 December 2023. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Adabraka Presby School. 13 December 2023. (45 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Khyriatu Islamic School. 15 December 2023. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Great New Life Academy. 2 February 2024 (50 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. St. Michael Morninger Junior High School. 15 February 2024. (55 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Better Future Academy. 20 February 2024 (40 attendees, 20 books donated) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Hues of Liberation. South Village, Accra, Ghana. 28 December 2023. (100 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: I Sea the Blue |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2022. To encourage efforts to conserve turtle populations, Drama Queens produced the graphic novel Aku and the Journey of the Turtle Spirit. Alongside an illustrated story, the publication includes a zine that presents short stories and poems written in varying languages and dialects by young people from the towns of Anloga and Anyanui. The coastline of Ghana provides essential habitat for three species of turtle: Olive Ridleys, Green Turtles and Leatherbacks. Loggerheads and Hawksbills also visit the country's waters. Between September and January, turtles' nest in the sand, where they lay up to 150 eggs each per season. Sea turtles are crucial to healthy ocean ecosystems. They support coral reefs, forage seagrass and regulate predatory jellyfish. In traditional Ghanaian stories, turtles are represented as protectors and guides during bad weather and rough seas. They are also regarded as saviours who helped ancestors escape from European slave ships. All species of turtle are protected under Ghanaian law. However, poaching and egg harvesting still occur. Plastic debris and fishing nets, pollution, coastal development and environmental erosion are also serious threats. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific We are planning to include Aku and the Journey of the Turtle Spirit as a virtual exhibition on One Ocean Learn, the knowledge-translation platform that the Hub is co-developing with the UN Institute for Training and Research (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). Researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one non-binary creative director, one female executive producer, three writers (one of whom is female), one female graphic illustrator and two female editors. The graphic novel has been distributed to 260 children, ten schools, one orphanage, one community library and one community organisation. In Accra, reading sessions having been held with six schools and one community organisation, engaging 420 children. Reading sessions have been held with four schools, one orphanage and one community library in the Anloga/Anyanui/Keta region, engaging 300 children. These sessions have transmitted knowledge, increased literacy and promoted ocean conservation. In the Anloga/Anyanui/Keta region, the sessions have been a rare opportunity for students to engage with artistic extra-curricular activities, as such initiatives are usually limited to Accra and other major cities. Displaying a selection of the novel's pages as large-scale panels has been a particularly effective exhibition strategy. The panels are now being used by Drama Queens in local exhibitions and education programmes to engage the attention of children and visually reinforce links between art, activism, social change and the environment. The project has supported Drama Queens to build deeper connections with local communities and refine the organisation's approach to advocacy. The project was the first time Drama Queens has engaged with schools and local school district authorities, with necessary relationships developed to facilitate future work. Based on the success of the project, Drama Queens has been invited back to a number of schools to undertake sessions that focus on advocacy themes including consent to prevent sexual violence and the role of women in Ghana's attainment of independence. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Drama Queens. I Sea the Blue. 2023. Graphic novel. Ghana Project collaborators: Ursula Abanga, Kwame Boateng Acheampong, Ezekiel Addy, Bless Emefa Adevu, Bright Mawunyo Adzagba, Kimathi Agbanu, Dennis Kwaku Frimpong Agyemang, Kokui Edem Axolu, Daniel Baffour, Kofi Konadu Berko, Heine Bravie, Robert Kwame Dapaah, Ramla Bashiru Dapilah, Portia Asantewaa Duah, Amina Gimba, Imara Glymph, Becca Grant, Mirco Gyan, Michaella Gyatsen, Maia Kauffman, Theophly Kwapong, Nyasha Mugavazi, Doris Nana Esi Dede Odoi, Angela Otoo, Xenyo Pearl, James Selasi Quarshie, Gabriella Rockson, Micheala Rockson, Mira Weidner, Alexander Ove Tryde Zachariassenj Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • Book distribution and reading session. Anyanui DA Basic School. 30 August 2023. (30 attendees, 12 books distributed) • Book distribution and reading session. Agbledomi School. 30 August 2023 (40 attendees, 12 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Keta Library. 31 August 2023. (50 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Father's Home Orphanage. 31 August 2023. ` (100 attendees, 25 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Anloga RC Basic School. 1 September 2023. (40 attendees, 12 books donated) • Launch. Pa Gya Literary Festival, Accra, Ghana. 14 October 2023. (120 attendees) • Book distribution and reading session. The Good Tree. 4 November 2024. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Immaculate RC, Basic. 4 December 2023. (65 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Jamestown "Gb3k3bii" School. 5 December 2023. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Adabraka Presby School. 13 December 2023. (45 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Khyriatu Islamic School. 15 December 2023. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Great New Life Academy. 2 February 2024 (50 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. St. Michael Morninger Junior High School. 15 February 2024. (55 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Better Future Academy. 20 February 2024 (40 attendees, 20 books donated) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Hues of Liberation. South Village, Accra, Ghana. 28 December 2023. (100 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: I Sea the Blue |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2022. To encourage efforts to conserve turtle populations, Drama Queens produced the graphic novel Aku and the Journey of the Turtle Spirit. Alongside an illustrated story, the publication includes a zine that presents short stories and poems written in varying languages and dialects by young people from the towns of Anloga and Anyanui. The coastline of Ghana provides essential habitat for three species of turtle: Olive Ridleys, Green Turtles and Leatherbacks. Loggerheads and Hawksbills also visit the country's waters. Between September and January, turtles' nest in the sand, where they lay up to 150 eggs each per season. Sea turtles are crucial to healthy ocean ecosystems. They support coral reefs, forage seagrass and regulate predatory jellyfish. In traditional Ghanaian stories, turtles are represented as protectors and guides during bad weather and rough seas. They are also regarded as saviours who helped ancestors escape from European slave ships. All species of turtle are protected under Ghanaian law. However, poaching and egg harvesting still occur. Plastic debris and fishing nets, pollution, coastal development and environmental erosion are also serious threats. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific We are planning to include Aku and the Journey of the Turtle Spirit as a virtual exhibition on One Ocean Learn, the knowledge-translation platform that the Hub is co-developing with the UN Institute for Training and Research (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/). Researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one non-binary creative director, one female executive producer, three writers (one of whom is female), one female graphic illustrator and two female editors. The graphic novel has been distributed to 260 children, ten schools, one orphanage, one community library and one community organisation. In Accra, reading sessions having been held with six schools and one community organisation, engaging 420 children. Reading sessions have been held with four schools, one orphanage and one community library in the Anloga/Anyanui/Keta region, engaging 300 children. These sessions have transmitted knowledge, increased literacy and promoted ocean conservation. In the Anloga/Anyanui/Keta region, the sessions have been a rare opportunity for students to engage with artistic extra-curricular activities, as such initiatives are usually limited to Accra and other major cities. Displaying a selection of the novel's pages as large-scale panels has been a particularly effective exhibition strategy. The panels are now being used by Drama Queens in local exhibitions and education programmes to engage the attention of children and visually reinforce links between art, activism, social change and the environment. The project has supported Drama Queens to build deeper connections with local communities and refine the organisation's approach to advocacy. The project was the first time Drama Queens has engaged with schools and local school district authorities, with necessary relationships developed to facilitate future work. Based on the success of the project, Drama Queens has been invited back to a number of schools to undertake sessions that focus on advocacy themes including consent to prevent sexual violence and the role of women in Ghana's attainment of independence. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Drama Queens. I Sea the Blue. 2023. Graphic novel. Ghana Project collaborators: Ursula Abanga, Kwame Boateng Acheampong, Ezekiel Addy, Bless Emefa Adevu, Bright Mawunyo Adzagba, Kimathi Agbanu, Dennis Kwaku Frimpong Agyemang, Kokui Edem Axolu, Daniel Baffour, Kofi Konadu Berko, Heine Bravie, Robert Kwame Dapaah, Ramla Bashiru Dapilah, Portia Asantewaa Duah, Amina Gimba, Imara Glymph, Becca Grant, Mirco Gyan, Michaella Gyatsen, Maia Kauffman, Theophly Kwapong, Nyasha Mugavazi, Doris Nana Esi Dede Odoi, Angela Otoo, Xenyo Pearl, James Selasi Quarshie, Gabriella Rockson, Micheala Rockson, Mira Weidner, Alexander Ove Tryde Zachariassenj Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • Book distribution and reading session. Anyanui DA Basic School. 30 August 2023. (30 attendees, 12 books distributed) • Book distribution and reading session. Agbledomi School. 30 August 2023 (40 attendees, 12 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Keta Library. 31 August 2023. (50 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Father's Home Orphanage. 31 August 2023. ` (100 attendees, 25 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Anloga RC Basic School. 1 September 2023. (40 attendees, 12 books donated) • Launch. Pa Gya Literary Festival, Accra, Ghana. 14 October 2023. (120 attendees) • Book distribution and reading session. The Good Tree. 4 November 2024. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Immaculate RC, Basic. 4 December 2023. (65 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Jamestown "Gb3k3bii" School. 5 December 2023. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Adabraka Presby School. 13 December 2023. (45 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Khyriatu Islamic School. 15 December 2023. (40 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Great New Life Academy. 2 February 2024 (50 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. St. Michael Morninger Junior High School. 15 February 2024. (55 attendees, 20 books donated) • Book distribution and reading session. Better Future Academy. 20 February 2024 (40 attendees, 20 books donated) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Hues of Liberation. South Village, Accra, Ghana. 28 December 2023. (100 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: Maame Water and the Apam Youth |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the Deep Fund in October 2021. Straight Family Entertainment convened a collective of young musicians who explored the often-contradictory beliefs attached to the complex legend of Maame Water, as she is referred to in Ghana: a centuries old Pan-African water deity who is variously regarded as a sea goddess or mother of the ocean. As the African Mermaid, she has been represented as a hybrid woman-fish figure. Maame Water is honoured, feared and worshipped. She possesses sacred powers, bestowing wealth and prosperity on her devotees while bringing misery, and even death, to those who ignore her. In the project, Abitemi, Amess, Kinn Ice, Lami, LB, Rhythms and Salvation combine local rhythms and languages with the genres of rap, hip hop and Afro pop in their song and video Maame Water. The project was conceived after an accident occurred in March 2021, when a group of teenagers tragically drowned in the sea off Apam, a coastal town in the Central district of Ghana. Survivor and eyewitness accounts suggested that the boys were lured to their deaths by mermaids, as punishment for disrespecting the sanctity of the ocean. These musical and visual tropes also make comment about broader social issues including gender politics, youth marginalisation and urban popular culture. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and University of Strathclyde. The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of Indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as the Association of Critical Heritage Studies Conference in Santiago De Chile on 4-7 December 2022. Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing employment, income-generation and skill-development opportunities for a core team comprising two youth project managers (one of whom is female), seven youth musicians (two of whom are female), one videographer and one producer. The song and video have been widely distributed via online platforms to increase recognition and protection of Ghanaian intangible cultural heritage related to the ocean. The song and video on YouTube have had 878 views to date. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Straight Family Entertainment featuring Abitemi, Amess, Kinn Ice, Lami, LB, Rhythms, Salvation. Maame Water. 2022. Song and video. Ghana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0NHoagk-U. Project collaborators: Abitemi, Awudu Aziz, Deelaw, Amess Dingo, Oheneba E.L, Aminata J, Amie Kulaya, Kinn Ice, Lami, Oheneba Enoch Lartey, LB, Mohammed Nasir, Rhythms, Salvation, Silk, Sweet Cherish White, Sweetheart White Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Launch. Youtube. November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0NHoagk-U (878 views) • Launch. Apple Music. December 2022. https://music.apple.com/gb/album/maame-water-single-feat-lb-rythmz-salvation-lami-kinn/1685244758 • Launch. Spotify. December 2022. https://open.spotify.com/track/5KaROtaj6GXO7cJug7FDti • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Amie Kulaya. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: Maame Water and the Apam Youth |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the Deep Fund in October 2021. Straight Family Entertainment convened a collective of young musicians who explored the often-contradictory beliefs attached to the complex legend of Maame Water, as she is referred to in Ghana: a centuries old Pan-African water deity who is variously regarded as a sea goddess or mother of the ocean. As the African Mermaid, she has been represented as a hybrid woman-fish figure. Maame Water is honoured, feared and worshipped. She possesses sacred powers, bestowing wealth and prosperity on her devotees while bringing misery, and even death, to those who ignore her. In the project, Abitemi, Amess, Kinn Ice, Lami, LB, Rhythms and Salvation combine local rhythms and languages with the genres of rap, hip hop and Afro pop in their song and video Maame Water. The project was conceived after an accident occurred in March 2021, when a group of teenagers tragically drowned in the sea off Apam, a coastal town in the Central district of Ghana. Survivor and eyewitness accounts suggested that the boys were lured to their deaths by mermaids, as punishment for disrespecting the sanctity of the ocean. These musical and visual tropes also make comment about broader social issues including gender politics, youth marginalisation and urban popular culture. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and University of Strathclyde. The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of Indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as the Association of Critical Heritage Studies Conference in Santiago De Chile on 4-7 December 2022. Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing employment, income-generation and skill-development opportunities for a core team comprising two youth project managers (one of whom is female), seven youth musicians (two of whom are female), one videographer and one producer. The song and video have been widely distributed via online platforms to increase recognition and protection of Ghanaian intangible cultural heritage related to the ocean. The song and video on YouTube have had 878 views to date. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Straight Family Entertainment featuring Abitemi, Amess, Kinn Ice, Lami, LB, Rhythms, Salvation. Maame Water. 2022. Song and video. Ghana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0NHoagk-U. Project collaborators: Abitemi, Awudu Aziz, Deelaw, Amess Dingo, Oheneba E.L, Aminata J, Amie Kulaya, Kinn Ice, Lami, Oheneba Enoch Lartey, LB, Mohammed Nasir, Rhythms, Salvation, Silk, Sweet Cherish White, Sweetheart White Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Launch. Youtube. November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0NHoagk-U (878 views) • Launch. Apple Music. December 2022. https://music.apple.com/gb/album/maame-water-single-feat-lb-rythmz-salvation-lami-kinn/1685244758 • Launch. Spotify. December 2022. https://open.spotify.com/track/5KaROtaj6GXO7cJug7FDti • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Amie Kulaya. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: Maame Water and the Apam Youth |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the Deep Fund in October 2021. Straight Family Entertainment convened a collective of young musicians who explored the often-contradictory beliefs attached to the complex legend of Maame Water, as she is referred to in Ghana: a centuries old Pan-African water deity who is variously regarded as a sea goddess or mother of the ocean. As the African Mermaid, she has been represented as a hybrid woman-fish figure. Maame Water is honoured, feared and worshipped. She possesses sacred powers, bestowing wealth and prosperity on her devotees while bringing misery, and even death, to those who ignore her. In the project, Abitemi, Amess, Kinn Ice, Lami, LB, Rhythms and Salvation combine local rhythms and languages with the genres of rap, hip hop and Afro pop in their song and video Maame Water. The project was conceived after an accident occurred in March 2021, when a group of teenagers tragically drowned in the sea off Apam, a coastal town in the Central district of Ghana. Survivor and eyewitness accounts suggested that the boys were lured to their deaths by mermaids, as punishment for disrespecting the sanctity of the ocean. These musical and visual tropes also make comment about broader social issues including gender politics, youth marginalisation and urban popular culture. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and University of Strathclyde. The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of Indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as the Association of Critical Heritage Studies Conference in Santiago De Chile on 4-7 December 2022. Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing employment, income-generation and skill-development opportunities for a core team comprising two youth project managers (one of whom is female), seven youth musicians (two of whom are female), one videographer and one producer. The song and video have been widely distributed via online platforms to increase recognition and protection of Ghanaian intangible cultural heritage related to the ocean. The song and video on YouTube have had 878 views to date. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Straight Family Entertainment featuring Abitemi, Amess, Kinn Ice, Lami, LB, Rhythms, Salvation. Maame Water. 2022. Song and video. Ghana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0NHoagk-U. Project collaborators: Abitemi, Awudu Aziz, Deelaw, Amess Dingo, Oheneba E.L, Aminata J, Amie Kulaya, Kinn Ice, Lami, Oheneba Enoch Lartey, LB, Mohammed Nasir, Rhythms, Salvation, Silk, Sweet Cherish White, Sweetheart White Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Launch. Youtube. November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0NHoagk-U (878 views) • Launch. Apple Music. December 2022. https://music.apple.com/gb/album/maame-water-single-feat-lb-rythmz-salvation-lami-kinn/1685244758 • Launch. Spotify. December 2022. https://open.spotify.com/track/5KaROtaj6GXO7cJug7FDti • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Amie Kulaya. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Ghana Deep Fund Project: Maame Water and the Apam Youth |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the Deep Fund in October 2021. Straight Family Entertainment convened a collective of young musicians who explored the often-contradictory beliefs attached to the complex legend of Maame Water, as she is referred to in Ghana: a centuries old Pan-African water deity who is variously regarded as a sea goddess or mother of the ocean. As the African Mermaid, she has been represented as a hybrid woman-fish figure. Maame Water is honoured, feared and worshipped. She possesses sacred powers, bestowing wealth and prosperity on her devotees while bringing misery, and even death, to those who ignore her. In the project, Abitemi, Amess, Kinn Ice, Lami, LB, Rhythms and Salvation combine local rhythms and languages with the genres of rap, hip hop and Afro pop in their song and video Maame Water. The project was conceived after an accident occurred in March 2021, when a group of teenagers tragically drowned in the sea off Apam, a coastal town in the Central district of Ghana. Survivor and eyewitness accounts suggested that the boys were lured to their deaths by mermaids, as punishment for disrespecting the sanctity of the ocean. These musical and visual tropes also make comment about broader social issues including gender politics, youth marginalisation and urban popular culture. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and University of Strathclyde. The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of Indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as the Association of Critical Heritage Studies Conference in Santiago De Chile on 4-7 December 2022. Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing employment, income-generation and skill-development opportunities for a core team comprising two youth project managers (one of whom is female), seven youth musicians (two of whom are female), one videographer and one producer. The song and video have been widely distributed via online platforms to increase recognition and protection of Ghanaian intangible cultural heritage related to the ocean. The song and video on YouTube have had 878 views to date. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Straight Family Entertainment featuring Abitemi, Amess, Kinn Ice, Lami, LB, Rhythms, Salvation. Maame Water. 2022. Song and video. Ghana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0NHoagk-U. Project collaborators: Abitemi, Awudu Aziz, Deelaw, Amess Dingo, Oheneba E.L, Aminata J, Amie Kulaya, Kinn Ice, Lami, Oheneba Enoch Lartey, LB, Mohammed Nasir, Rhythms, Salvation, Silk, Sweet Cherish White, Sweetheart White Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Launch. Youtube. November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0NHoagk-U (878 views) • Launch. Apple Music. December 2022. https://music.apple.com/gb/album/maame-water-single-feat-lb-rythmz-salvation-lami-kinn/1685244758 • Launch. Spotify. December 2022. https://open.spotify.com/track/5KaROtaj6GXO7cJug7FDti • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Amie Kulaya. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | European Union |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature |
| Department | International Union for Conservation of Nature,US |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | Middlebury College |
| Department | Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | Pew Charitable Trusts |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Country | Korea, Republic of |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | Universitas Indonesia |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | University of Malta |
| Country | Malta |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | University of Seychelles |
| Country | Seychelles |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | University of Vienna |
| Country | Austria |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | University of the West Indies |
| Country | Barbados |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | World Economic Forum |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction |
| Organisation | World Maritime University |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Marine conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the high seas and the deep-seabed are the legal gap that Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) seeks to address with a new treaty. It is crucial to develop an integrated framework to manage these areas of the ocean and address the multiple threats facing still little-understood marine ecosystems and the ensure that these essential commons are preserved for future generations. Hub research brings together insights from marine sciences, social sciences and law from the Global South and the Global North to highlight disconnect between different sectors (e.g. mining, shipping, fishing) that use areas beyond national jurisdiction, and also to address inequities in deep-sea ocean research and how these affect international negotiations on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, given the fundamental lack of sufficient knowledge and data on deep-sea ecosystems. The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. The One Ocean Hub contributions to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) are derived from the Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. Hub researchers have led and co-organised capacity building sessions for BBNJ negotiators and researchers with partners such as the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) in November 2020 (https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/) and were invited to advise the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) during the 5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ, which convened from 15-26 August 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. The G-77/China at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. To support the latest rounds of international negotiations on the BBNJ treaty in 2022, Hub researchers also produced three inter-disciplinary science-policy briefs to assist representatives of governments, civil society organisations, and researchers who participated in the negotiations. Each policy brief provided specific textual suggestions and were discussed in various international meetings with BBNJ negotiators and experts. The first brief underscored the need for mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that the BBNJ Agreement contributes to 1) advancing ocean science, 2) ensuring strategic decisions on cumulative impacts to the benefit of more effective implementation of all other elements of the BBNJ Agreement, and 3) contributing to climate change mitigation (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf). To that end, the brief made the case for SEAs to include explicitly Regional Environmental Assessments to collect existing information on marine biodiversity at a regional scale, which is essential to enable environmental management at a scale that is ecologically-meaningful. It was written by Hub early career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Dr Holly Niner, and Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK); Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); and Hub partner Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program based at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, United States. The second brief underscored that the new treaty needs to create the pre-conditions for mutual learning and ocean knowledge co-development between countries in the Global North and the Global South, in order to ensure the effectiveness of future cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean (.https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_6_R1_Mutual-learning-_OOH-FINAL.pdf). This in turn requires understanding of the current inequities in ocean science, and can build on solutions that have been identified and piloted in recent international scientific collaborations. To these ends, the policy brief focused on enhancing provisions on mutual capacity building and technology co-development. It was written by Hub early career researchers Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles, Seychelles), Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town, South Africa); as well as an external collaborator, Angelique Pouponneau (University of Malta) The third policy brief was inspired by a previous collaborative blogpost researchers from the University of Vienna, European Research Council Project MARIPOLDATA (https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/) noting that participation of civil society in the BBNJ negotiations has remained limited and below the standards adopted under other multilateral environmental negotiations, both in terms of participation and access to information (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/). This policy brief underscores that public participation in the future implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is an international human rights issue, particularly with regard to Indigenous and local knowledge holders and children. It provides textual suggestions to ensure that those most affected by decisions on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction can contribute to determine the future of our ocean and all the dimensions of human wellbeing that depended on it. The policy brief was led by Hub early career researcher Mia Strand and was co-authored with Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Mara Ntona, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Andrew Kenny (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK), Prof Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University, South Africa), Christine Gaebel (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, contributed to the Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 organised by the Global Ocean Forum. Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ. In 2023, the Hub published two inter-disciplinary articles on the need to interpret the BBNJ Agreement in a manner consistent with international human rights law at the ocean-climate nexus, where we highlighted that the agreed text of the BBNJ Agreement did reflect some of the recommendations made in our policy briefs with regards to transparency and public participation, regional SEAs; and iterative approaches to fair and equitable benefit-sharing and to capacity building. In late 2023, Hub Diretor Elisa Morgera was invited to present on these papers at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" (20-22 November 2023, in Seoul), which was co-organised by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Hub Director Elisa Morgera shared reflections on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, SEAs and capacity building under the BBNJ Agreement at the conference, which was attended by former BBNJ negotiators and ITLOS judges (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ and here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3870399). In 2024, the Hub is exploring if the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can take forward some of the Hub's recommendations in their work on the BBNJ Agreement. The Hub is also discussing with the UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum (UNDP AIS) an opportunity to co-organise a training programme on the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in the South Pacific in mid or later part of 2024 (More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/oearoqkcamdtuibr4tvdvips8l). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Seychelles, Seychelles; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; the University of the West Indies, Barbados • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK University of Malta, Malta; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: UN Development Program Archipelagic and Island States Forum, Indonesia • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Research organisations based in Global South: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia • Partner organisations based in Global South: Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), Pakistan • Research partner based in Global North: World Maritime University, Sweden; London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), UK • Partner organisations based in Global North: International Union for Conservation of Nature, US; Middlebury College, Canada; University of Vienna, Austria; High Seas Alliances, US; Global Ocean Forum, US; European Union, Belgium; the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; the Korean Association of International Law, Republic of Korea; the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaborations to contribute to the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in November 2020, when the Hub led the co-organisation of three capacity-building session with external partners, including senior officers from the UNDOALOS (Secretariat of the BBNJ negotiations), the European Commission and international negotiators from Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, and Guyana, civil society organisation such as the High Seas Alliance as well as external academics, both as speakers and as attendees. The series of events highlighted the complexities of issues covered during the negotiations and how researchers can best contribute to this international process. Hub researchers Dr Tobias Schonwetter (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong and Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), early career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados); Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt University, UK), Dr James Bell, CEFAS, and Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to this event. Hub partners that are involved in the BBNJ negotiators supported Hub researchers that have never engaged in UN processes, so that they could better understand the Hub's opportunities for international impact. As a follow up to the capacity-building sessions, Hub researchers gathered for an internal Deep-sea Life Summit on 29-30 April 2021 (https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/). Researchers explored various options to contribute to the 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference in August 2021, develop a shared understanding of the opportunities of integrating Hub inputs from across different disciplines; and identify follow-up action with different partners. Hub researchers then joined an informal network of external researchers from different regions and BBNJ experts/negotiators ("BBNJ Informal group") that meets monthly to exchange intelligence on the BBNJ negotiations. In the run up to the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (IGC-5) in August 2022, the Hub received an invitation to become advisors to the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China). The G-77 was established on 15th June 1964 by a coalition of seventy-seven developing countries. It now comprises of 134 member States and is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major negotiations within the United Nations system. Dr Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at London School of Economics and Political Science who is working with the G-77/China Chair's team first contacted the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) on 1st August 2022 to ask the One Ocean Hub to provide support to the G-77/China before and during IGC-5 (see email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/mktv36903oksjcq3ebv22pt7f7). Prior to this in July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera has also contributed to the discussion on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ draft that Dr Siva Thambisetty organised for international negotiators (see the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/407hqbx9w6xho1h/BBNJ%20ppt.mp4?dl=0). On 10th August 2022, the Hub Director, Prof Morgera received a formal letter from the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the UN in New York that also serves as the Chair of the G-77/China requesting Prof Morgera to act as an advisor to the Chair of the Group 77/China and to provide guidance and support during IGC-5 (see copy of the letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4ebhon92203up995ufo921fqp0). Support provided by the Hub to the G-77 include: 1. Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) textual suggestions on Part V of the BBNJ Treaty that focus on capacity building and transfer of marine technology (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2dhk9bvipr33ft0c6av2kmlaug). 2. Professor Elisa Morgera, and Hub researchers including Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town) textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component of the BBNJ Treaty (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9u4omt58ato717g6ik08ofif22). 3. Textual suggestions on environmental impact assessment (mainly focused on a critical gap in the text - lack of "regional environmental assessments" as part of strategic environmental assessments, that can inform all other elements of the package) prepared by Dr Kirsty McQuaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Professor Kerry Howell, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) and Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3sf1d3oeu9s51r0l3gctseqot5). 4. Professor Elisa Morgera provided textual suggestions on Strategic Environmental Assessment and transfer or marine technology and send the Hub policy briefs relevant to the BBNJ negotiations to G-77/China (see the textual suggestions here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ce1ddn4djoe45p09qhmk3sg5gu). In addition, the Hub organized an event on the BBNJ negotiations as part of the UN Climate COP on 16th November 2022, to create the momentum for the 2nd phase of the IGC-5 that would be resumed on 20th February to 3rd March 2023. As part of the Hub-led event for Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the event titled "Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" was led by the Hub's early-career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK ) and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and co-organised with the UNDOALOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The panel explored the extent to which the inclusion of the ocean in the international climate change regime can facilitate coordination in the governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. More information about the event can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 Through partnership with Global Ocean Forum the One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, has been invited as a collaborator to attend the UN Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility Common Oceans Program / Cross-sectoral Project Inception Workshop on 3 and 10 October 2023. In 2021 the Hub was one of the organisations that endorsed this project (see the Hub's support letter here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/i3je3kltf62651kkctp73jlf85). Cross-sectional management and governance is a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project aims to build and strengthen regional and national capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination, knowledge management and public awareness of ABNJ (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/keum75n2aiuc1eh3fpverpvl8o). The Project Inception Workshop on 3 October 2023 was aimed to provide an opportunity for the project implementers and collaborators to: 1) Develop the same understanding of the approved project design and the roles and responsibilities of each co-executing partner, the project's support structure, and other implementation arrangements; 2) Provide a detailed overview of the project's stakeholder engagement plan during project implementation, knowledge management and communications, gender analysis and action plan, and monitoring and evaluation; 3) Discuss and finalize annual work plans and project timeline on the basis of the project's strategic results framework; and 4) Raise awareness and support for the project and its activities. The Inception Workshop sought to ensure that the project team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project seeks to achieve and their respective roles in achieving the objectives. At the meeting stakeholders worked to co-design and co-implement approach of this project related to cross-sectoral project coordination strategy, project document, CEO document, terms of reference for the International ABNJ Specialist for Year 1, revised annual work plans, and project Steering Committee composition (more information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/lklp0msokg4to2uke9fpje6iqk). Elisa Morgera contributed to the session on marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits, which was moderated by Konrad Jan MARCINIAK (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland; ITLOS). Following the insights into the negotiations from Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Elisa Morgera presented on "fairness, equity and effectiveness of benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement." Her presentation reflected on the innovations of the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, taking into account lessons learnt in other international regimes on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). The presentation focused on the importance of developing treaty provisions on fairness and equity as a way to ensure more effective approaches to benefit-sharing, taking into account the power asymmetries in deep-sea research (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/). The presentation suggested on how to interpret and apply the provisions on benefit-sharing in the BBNJ Agreement together with the other Parts of the Agreement, reflecting on the role of the ocean genome for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity within and outside national jurisdiction (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/the-ocean-genome-and-future-prospects-for-conservation-and-equity/). Specific insights were shared on the opportunities for transformative approaches to the institutional framework envisaged for the BBNJ Agreement implementation, and the conduct of regional Strategic Environmental Assessments (https://bit.ly/3HCXgE4; https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml). This collaboration has achieved notable policy impacts. As explained above, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde UK) advised Chair of the coalition of 77 developing countries known as G77/China during the BBNJ negotiations. Hub researchers including Elisa Morgera, Rachel Wynberg & Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town South Africa), Kirsty McQuaid, Kerry Howell, Sian Rees, Holly Niner, Giulia La Bianca (Plymouth University) further provided textual suggestions for the marine genetic resources component, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology to support G77/China during the negotiations. The final text of the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference on 19 June 2023 and has been signed by 87 countries (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI-10&chapter=21&clang=_en). The BBNJ agreement text reflected suggestions made by Hub researchers. This could be seen for example throughout Part IV on Environmental Impact Assessment" that "supports the consideration of cumulative impacts and impacts in areas within national jurisdiction" (Art.27c) and "provide for strategic environmental assessments" (Art.27d) and Part V on Capacity Building and Technology Transfer that highlights principle of "inclusive, equitable and effective cooperation and participation in the activities undertaken under this agreement" (Art. 40b). The collaboration has also contributed to the co-organisation of events and capacity building that strengthened the capacity of 352 negotiators and researchers who engage with the BBNJ Treaty negotiations and implementation. From gender perspective, the Hub's led capacity building session on BBNJ t spoke to a predominantly female audience (65%), which is on average with other Hub events - we tend to speak to a predominately female audience. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. Significance of Hub's support to developing countries during and after the BBNJ negotiations is acknowledge through invitation that the Hub has received in January 2024 from the UNDP Archipelagic and Islands States forum to assist Small-Islands Developing States (SIDs) in the South Pacific in the implementation of the BBNJ Treaty. This training will be held in mid or later part of 2024 in the Pacific. It will be carried out in collaboration between the UNDP AIS, the European Union and the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement, UNDOALOS. |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Morgera et al, 'Addressing the ocean-climate nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: strategic environmental assessments, human rights and equity in ocean science' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 447-479 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p447_3.xml Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 Shannon L et.al. (2022). "Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions" One Earth 5:6, pp.597-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.05.009. Wagenaar T. (2022). "A principled approach for BBNJ: An idea whose time has come." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12479 Policy paper Morgera E. (2020). Biodiversity as a Human Right and Its Implications for the EU as External Actor, published by European Parliament. Available from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603491/EXPO_STU(2020)603491_EN.pdf Book chapters Erinosho, B., Hamukuaya, H., Lajaunie, C., Lancaster, A., Lennan, M., Mazzega, P., Morgera, E. and Snow, B., 2021. Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity. Transforming Biodiversity Governance (Cambridge University Press, 2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/transforming-biodiversity-governance/528A21807B7F533EFEABD55EB0FC67F6 Morgera, E (2021) "The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales" in Vito De Lucia, Lan Nguyen and Alex G. Oude Elferink (eds), International Law and Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Current Status and Future Trends (Brill). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3870399 Policy briefs Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Event and Engagement Professor Elisa Morgera, presentation on "Fairness, equity and iterative learning in relations to benefit sharing under the BBNJ Agreement" as part of Session 1 Marine Genetic Resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, Republic of Korea, 20 November 2023. Recordings are available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC79r0ttqE; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taC5x6qlQJc; and here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZupK60btqkhazc2oJ3rRfw/videos. The event was attended by 100 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 1 Purpose, History, Procedural Aspects, and Topics, 24 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM&t=2s. The event was attended by 38 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 2 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity & Marine Genetic Resources, 25 November 2020. Recording is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rft1MSgJAeo&t=2s. The event was attended by 33 attendees. One Ocean Hub Seminar Series on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Day 3 Area Based Management Tools & Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, 26 November 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miKfvUfnJyo&t=2s. The event was attended by 26 attendees. One Ocean Hub webinar for the UN World Ocean Week titled "Wonders of the Deep," 11 June 2020. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is&t=3541s. This event was attended by 131 attendees. Prof Meinhard Doelle (World Maritime University, Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University) seminar on "Environmental Impact Assessment in the BBNJ negotiations," 19 January 2021.The seminar was co-organised by the Hub and Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance. Recording is available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXovQ2zh1uY&t=18s. This event was attended by 50 attendees. Scales H. (2021). "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics." Available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could-help-us-fight-pandemics Blogposts Febrica S. (2020). "Researchers' Contribution to the international negotiations on Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Negotiation." https://oneoceanhub.org/areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-negotiation/. Febrica S. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's Stakeholder Engagement Strategy." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/. Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub holds a "Deep-sea life summit". Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ Febrica S, Morgera E, Snow B, and Erinosho B. (2021). "The One Ocean Hub' Contributions to the United Nations Secretary General' Priorities for 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-priorities-for-2021/. Febrica S. (2020). "Calling for An Integrated Framework to Manage the High Seas." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-for-an-integrated-framework-to-manage-the-high-seas/. Merilainen L. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/. Morgera E. (2022) "Contributing to the UN Negotiations of a new 'high seas treaty'." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-negotiations-of-a-new-high-seas-treaty/ . Morgera E, Snow B, Strand M, Vadrot A, Langlet A and Rodríguez SR. (2022). "Participation at BBNJ negotiations matters." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/participation-at-bbnj-negotiations-matters/. Niner H. and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck. (2022). "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | Government of Colombia |
| Country | Colombia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | Mercator Océan |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS) |
| Department | Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Grenoble |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | Scottish Association For Marine Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Development Programme |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific |
| Country | Thailand |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | United States Department of State |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | University of the South Pacific, Laucala |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | University of the West Indies |
| Country | Barbados |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | Wildlife Conservation Society |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Country | Global |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing UN negotiations on the new pandemic treaty and the One Health approach |
| Organisation | World Organisation for Animal Health, France |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | WHO defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems" (WHO 2023, available from here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health). The Hub has advanced the One Health approach and the interdependent links among the health of people, animals, and ecosystems through our contributions across various international processes including the UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP), UN General Assembly, and ocean-related fora, to ensure that the role of marine biodiversity and human rights are included. In addition, the Hub has contributed to the negotiations on a new WHO Pandemic Treaty, which aims to support more effective and equitable pandemic prevention, early detection, preparedness and response. It is expected that the International Negotiating Body of the WHO will submit the outcome of negotiations for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/). The Hub brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives, from a diverse range of disciplines, spanning deep-sea science, fisheries science, human rights, planetary health and health law, to illuminate barriers and progress to marrying these disciplines to shed new light on close links between ocean, human, animals, and ecosystem health. A healthy ocean, from coastal waters to remote high seas and deep seabed areas, is integral to human health, wellbeing, and survival (Jenkins et. al. 2023, available from here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01162-5/fulltext). Despite its critical role in human health and wellbeing, the ocean is under threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Much work done on the relationship between ocean and human health has been siloed, which has resulted in narrow perceptions of inter-relationships, limited information, and relatively unexplored aspects of both areas. The Hub research on One Health has contributed to address critical knowledge gap and improve science-policy interface at national, regional, and international levels. At national and regional levels for instance in 2020-2021 through an analysis of the interlinkages between ocean-related concepts and governance-related concepts conducted in the South Pacific, Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France); Pierre Mazzega, (Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Prof Jeremy Hills and Payal Nandini Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) showed how the implementation of the One Health approach in relation to ocean health can contribute to enhancing the science-policy interface. Their research findings highlight how each ocean-related concept can be studied through a One Health lens, which is particularly useful where the population is highly dependent on the ocean and threatened by the negative impacts of climate change and sea level rise (read more here: https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/). The findings from this study were included in regional and national policy documents, such as the Blue Pacific Ocean Report 2021 for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (https://bit.ly/41zu3D9) and the National Ocean Policy of Fiji (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/3ud67lnoq8h52ggf9tgls045p9). Findings from Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega research on One Health were also shared at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022. At international level, in order to give the ocean a prominent presence in the context of One Health, increase knowledge, commitment and action at the heart of the Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 the Hub led the organisation of the on-demand event 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=21s; more information on COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pcn3t74fkk6fbkkp11t31vs43e). The Virtual Ocean Pavilion was coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative (https://roca-initiative.com/). COP26 in 2021 was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UNFCCC climate change conference. Hub researchers Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy (the Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK) contributed to this event. The event also included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Hub early career researcher Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub contributed to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2022, highlighting the disconnects between ocean policies and One Health research and the connection of ocean action to biodiversity protection and the health of ocean-reliant communities. Hub researcher, Dr Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on 19 and 23 September 2022. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK); Mazzega; and Prof Hills presented at the two sessions. Hub's participation at UNGA 77 helped to shape our plan and key messages for Climate COP27 that took place in November 2022. During the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to ensure a holistic approach to ocean-climate action, the Hub led the organisation of a hybrid roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' that was held on 16 November 2022 at the WHO's COP27 Health Pavilion. The event was chaired by the Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow. Hub researchers including Dr Lajaunie, Mazzega, Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr Jessica Lavelle (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Edem Mahu (University of Ghana, Ghana) and Professor Mathew Upton (University of Plymouth, UK) contributed to this event. Their contributions focused on threats towards marine ecosystems and human health from pollution, climate change and mining, and paths towards inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation and marine biodiscovery. To further raise attention to the interlinkages between One Health approach and ocean health, Hub early-career researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados), Prof Elisa Morgera and Prof Mathew Upton co-organised "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" panel for the 2023 Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment on 11 September 2023 (https://gnhre.org/transformations-and-transitions-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/). This panel presented a diversity of experiences and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, spanning ocean science, human rights, planetary health and health law on the relationship between the ocean and human health (https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745). Panellists engaged in discussion to further understand ways to address critical knowledge gaps to develop effective policies for the sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of the human right to health. In the context of the development of the new WHO pandemic treaty, the Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to share Hub research findings on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, One Health and fair research partnerships at a series of two-workshops organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute: at the first workshop on 25 November 2022, Prof Morgera shared Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery. Key messages shared at the event could are outlined in this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/; at the second panel discussion "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations"(watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQfW_54Xcg, more information is also available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/)26 April 2023), Prof Morgera provided specific textual suggestions, based on an analysis of the February 2023 zero draft of the pandemic instrument. Following her presentation, the revised negotiating text released in May 2023 included new text that takes into account her proposals (read the Pandemic Treaty draft here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DRAFT_INB_Bureau-text_22-May.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email). For detailed information on Prof Morgera textual suggestions that were incorporated in the Pandemic Treaty draft please refer to a blogpost that is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/. Prof Morgera' recommendations to the WHO negotiators as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute brief "Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the international health regulations" (2023) is available from here: https://repository.graduateinstitute.ch/record/301607. The event was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. To raise awareness about the negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Treaty, Hub researcher Dr Stephanie Switzer (University of Strathclyde, UK), together with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, UK) co-organised two workshops in the UK. The first workshop was held in March 2023 with funding from the Scottish Council for Global Affairs and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March (https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/). It was aimed to advance understanding and conceptualise equity as a legal concept, charting its history, development and application within both domestic and international law. The result of this workshop was a policy brief aimed at negotiators to the Pandemic Treaty (https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/170906289/Switzer_etal_2023_Equity_in_global_health_law_policy_brief..pdf). The second workshop in July 2023 with the assistance of funding received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was hosted at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and focused on the call for equity under the Pandemic Treaty particularly on the role of pathogen sharing and equity under the proposed Pandemic Treaty. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was one of the contributor to this workshop (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/pathogensandequityinthepandemictreaty-keytakeawaysfornegotiators/). A video recording of the event can be found BIICL's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_PTdqQS2g&t=0s). A policy brief containing key takeaways/a toolkit for negotiators from the second workshop can be found at the University of Strathclyde's academic repository (https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/pathogens-and-equity-in-the-pandemic-treaty-key-takeaways-for-neg). Prof Morgera, was then invited by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment Conference," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker for a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The high-level conference was co-organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health), the WCS, the Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. The event was primarily supported with funding from the BMZ, with contributions also from the Sector Initiative One Health of the GIZ, International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, WOAH and WCS. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing, Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (https://bit.ly/3vbyTul). More than 115 participants from academia, governments, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector attended the event and enriched discussions, sharing perspectives from environmental conservation as well as veterinary and human health sectors. Overall, 65 organisations and more than 20 countries were represented at the event (https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/EVENTS/Breaking-Barriers.aspx). Following up on informal conversations held on the sidelines of the Geneva and Berlin events, in October 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Stephanie Switzer were invited to provide textual suggestion on the new Pandemic Treaty to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. Details information on the textual suggestions made by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of the South Pacific, Fiji • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM); France, Le Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; and the University of Strathclyde, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya; • partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Governments of Fiji, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Thailand, • Partner organisations based in Global North: United States Department of State, Washington, United States; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France; Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland; German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany; World Organisation for Animal Health, France; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York; Sector Initiative One Health of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany; International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, Germany; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub's collaboration on advancing One Health approach in ocean governance began in 2020 as Hub researchers work together with (1) the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to contribute to the long-awaited Blue Pacific Ocean Report launched by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and (2) the Ministry of Economy, Fiji to co-develop Fiji's first ocean policy. The Blue Pacific Report provides a stocktake of the progress of ocean policy implementation, including in the area of One Health, and proposes forward-looking strategies to improve ocean governance and sustainability. A team drawn from the Hub contributed a section called "Lessons from a Research on the analysis of regional ocean policy inter-linkages" (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/blue-pacific-ocean-report%E2%80%AF/). This analysis was carried out by Pierre Mazzega (CNRS, France), Dr Claire Lajaunie (INSERM, France), Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher Payal Maharaj (University of the South Pacific, Fiji). Fiji's National Ocean Policy points the way to achieving "A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of current and future generations for FijiAt its core, this Policy lays out Fiji's commitment to the 100 percent sustainable management of our ocean and its designation of 30 percent marine protected areas by 2030" (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fiji-National-Ocean-policy-2020-2030.pdf). Hub researchers including Prof Jeremy Hills and early career researcher, Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) contributed to the development of the policy. For more details read collaboration entry titled "Fiji: Analysing regional ocean policy inter-linkages." To draw attention to the importance of the ocean in the context of One Health at the Climate COP26 in 2021 that was held in Glasgow, the Hub co-organised an event "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. The Hub was partnering with Global Ocean Forum to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Partner organisations also include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESC, European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. In September and November 2022, UN partners invited Hub researchers including Dr Claire Lajaunie, Pierre Mazzega, and Prof Elisa Morgera to share findings at 77th UN General Assembly Science Summit and the fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean. These include UN General Assembly and four UN organisations that co-organised the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean including ESCAP, UNEP, and UNDP. As a follow-up to the Hub's led sessions at the UNGA 77 Science Summit, at Climate COP27 the Hub co-organised the event "One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change" at the Health Pavilion in partnership with WHO; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome and United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya; and the United States Department of State, United States of America. The event explored transformative research and practice developed by various individuals and organisations in the panel to advance the link between One Health, the ocean, and climate change, with a view to exploring the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the run up to the 2023 Climate COP28, the Hub collaborated with GNHRE, UNEP, the University of the West Indies, Barbados and the University of Plymouth, UK to co-organise a panel "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies" on 11 September 2023 as part of a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The School is held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. To support the latest round of Pandemic Treaty negotiations Hub researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer funded by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs, the ESRC IAA Policy Impact Fund, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Stephanie Switzer has co-organised a series of two workshops in March and July 2023 to explore "what an instrument 'grounded' in equity should look like, what the principle of equity means in this context, and how this principle can translate into meaningful obligations within international law more generally, as well as pandemic preparedness and global health governance specifically with a range of partners from King's College, London; Griffith University, Australia; Cardiff University, UK; and former legal counsel to the World Health Organisations. Key messages derived from presentation and discussion in the two workshops have been distilled into policy briefs aimed to negotiators (https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/lawschool/blog/equityandthepandemictreaty/). Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, also provided textual recommendations and suggestions that have been incorporated into the draft of Pandemic Treaty (May 2023) through her participation of a series of two workshop co-organised by Geneva Graduate Institute in November 2022 and April 2023. The first workshop explored options for the legal instrument and was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). At the second workshop, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "critical considerations vis-à-vis the possible outcomes for fair and equitable sharing of pathogens, genetic sequences and benefits under a pandemic instrument", with some considerations also on the parallel ongoing negotiations on revisions of the International Health Regulations under WHO. The new draft text of the pandemic instrument (May 2022) incorporated some of Morgera's suggestions (https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/). The event was organised by the Geneva Graduate Institute and was attended by 216 participants: 80 in person and 136 online from 53 different countries (24 from Europe, 11 from the Americas, 8 from Asia and 8 from Africa). Participants included WHO staff members and international negotiators of the international pandemic instrument. The recording of the event, a short video and a written paper by each speaker are available here: https://www.ghplatform.org/events. An article on the event was published on Health Policy Watch here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/updated-international-health-regulations-more-important-than-pandemic-accord/. On 22 October 2023, the Government of Colombia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva contacted Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, to seek the Hub's advice on the textual negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Treaty (see the email correspondence here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fej377s1m47hef97ficcv4qdhh). Through the partnership with the Government of Colombia, Prof Elisa Morgera, and researcher, Dr Stephanie Switzer, provided textual suggestions on 28 October 2023 to nine Latin America countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. The Hub suggestions addressed equity, access and benefit sharing, transfer and co-development of technology and know-how, and inclusion of human rights principles in the Treaty. The textual suggestions provided by Prof Morgera and Dr Switzer are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gtfs72rquq2lhn1gu04ca2b0m4. This collaboration has made demonstrable policy and public services impact. The One Ocean Hub through partnerships with various organisations detailed above has raised awareness, built capacity, and provided advice on the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations of a new WHO Pandemic Treaty to: - Nine low- and middle-income Latin America countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras; and - Four low and middle-income countries that are part of the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru) in collaboration with the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland) and the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty delivered a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/). |
| Impact | Peer-reviewed journal articles Boswell R. (2022). "Ocean and human health in the blue era, Indian Ocean and African perspectives." Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, 6, 2 (2022), pp. 208-226, https://doi.org/10.26443/jiows.v6i2.142 Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31: 3, pp. 389-398, https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 Jenkins AP, Lancaster AMSN, Capon A, Soapi K, Fleming LE, Jupiter SD (2023). "Human health depends on thriving oceans." The Lancet. 402: 10395, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01162-5 Event and engagement "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change," One Ocean Hub's on demand event for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, 4 November 2021. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUNy5GZEI&t=928s "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." One Ocean Hub led panel for Health Pavilion, Blue Zone of Climate COP27, Egypt. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. One Ocean Hub's led panel for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment. Event page is available from here: https://gnhre.org/?page_id=16745. Watch recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEssRf9FRdg&t=2442s Policy brief Morgera E. (2023). "A multi-partner coalition to protect and restore the ocean's contributions to climate regulation, human well-being and planetary health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/8742/. Blogposts Conlan R and Febrica S. (2022). "Exploring the Links between One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Ocean%20is%20sick%2C%20we,Ocean%20as%20our%20limbs%20are.%E2%80%9D Febrica S , Longo A, Prokic M, Francis B, Yaa Oduro G, Strand M, Jonas M, Upton M, Lancaster AMSN, Nurse BG, Morgera E, Niner H, Mbatha P & Wilson D. (2023). "Part 2: One Ocean Hub participates in five panels for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/part-2-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Hamley G. (2021). An overview of state obligations towards marine biodiversity under the human right to health https://oneoceanhub.org/an-overview-of-state-obligations-towards-marine-biodiversity-under-the-right-to-health/ Morgera E. (2022). "Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E. (2023). "Influencing the WHO negotiations of a new pandemic." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/influencing-the-who-negotiations-of-a-new-pandemic-instrument/ Switzer S. (2023). "Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the pandemic treaty." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treaty/ Morgera E, Willetts E, Switzer S, Lavelle J, Hamley G, Lajeunie C, Upton M & Carvalho M. (2023). "What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research?" A focus on marine biodiversity and human health. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-ocean-research-a-focus-on-marine-biodiversity-and-human-health-part-3/ Scotcher N. (2022). "Linking a healthy ocean with health." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/. Newspiece One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-advancing-the-one-health-agenda-with-a-focus-on-environment/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "One Ocean Hub panels for the 2023 GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Right & the Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-rights-the-environment/ Internal Report Lajauni C and Mazzega P. (2020). One Ocean Hub Report: Preliminary Analysis and Modelling of Ocean-Related Pacific Policies https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/a44uk2hbtebf9adshuliof7pa5 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international courts on the ocean-climate nexus |
| Organisation | Center for International Environmental Law |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | After 30 years of science on the ocean-climate nexus, 2023 is to be remembered as the year when the international community has scaled up climate change action to the level of international courts and tribunals. Three requests for an Advisory Opinion have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In addition, three climate-focused applications are now jointly pending before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. The Hub made written submissions to the ITLOS, ICJ and Inter-America Court to ensure that State obligations relevant for the ocean-climate nexus would be addressed, building on inter-disciplinary Hub research on the importance of marine biodiversity science for the ocean-climate nexus, and the need to interpret coherently international law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has been requested to clarify what States need to do (and do better) to effectively mitigate climate change and prevent further negative impacts on the ocean. ITLOS is an independent judicial body with jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and over all matters specifically provided for in any other agreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal. The ITLOS has agreed to respond to a request from the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law for an advisory opinion related to States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. ITLOS was asked to address two questions: what are the specific obligations of UNCLOS State Parties: (a) to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment in relation to the deleterious effects resulting from climate change and (b) to protect and preserve the marine environment in relation to climate change impacts, including ocean warming and sea level rise, and ocean acidification. To support ITLOS deliberations and the work of the many experts involved in the process, the One Ocean Hub, Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green organized a webinar to discuss the key points raised in their respective written submissions to ITLOS, in particular the relevance of international human rights law and international biodiversity law (and biodiversity science) to interpret States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. The purpose of the webinar was to engage with the legal and scientific experts that have prepared other written submissions to ITLOS, or that will otherwise be involved in the subsequent phases of these proceedings. It served to exchange ideas with climate, ocean and human rights experts that work at the national level on the ocean-climate nexus. The different presentations summarised the central arguments made by each organisation, as well as reflect on the legal arguments made by States and other organisations in their written submissions, and engage with questions from the audience about further developing or potential challenges to the arguments based on international human rights law and international biodiversity law. The webinar was organised on 5 September 2023 and was attended by 131 participants (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=1201s). The Hub also made a submission to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (the latter was led by the University of West Indies; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b7l05h0n9egppnhdndk9eikct8) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. The main legal arguments are summarized in this blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ and they build upon work and partnerships related to children's human rights (see separate entry titled "Raising awareness about children's right to a healthy ocean). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; • partner organisations based in the Global North: the International Law Association Caribbean Branch, UK. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: RENEW TT, Trinidad and Tobago; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (Caribbean region), Barbados. • Research organisations based in the Global North University of Aberdeen, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Center for International Environmental Law, US; Opportunity Green, UK; ClientEarth, UK; the School of Law at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, US; UN Special Rapporteur on climate change, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The One Ocean Hub and partners have provided submissions in relation to the requests for an Advisory Opinion that have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2023 and 2024. The One Ocean Hub's submission to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which has been requested to clarify States' obligations to protect the marine environment from climate change, including as part of the general obligations to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution was made in July 2023. We shared our latest research on mutually supportive interpretations of the law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law as part of this submission. Summary of key messages highlighted in the written submission is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Several Hub partners and have also made submissions to ITLOS, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green. In the run up to the first Tribunal hearing on 11 September 2023, the Hub together with Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green co-organised a webinar to raise awareness regarding key points made by each organisation in the written submission. The webinar brought together representatives from each co-organising institutions together with Prof John Knox, International Law at Wake Forest University - former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and Dr Ian Fry, UN Special Rapporteur on climate change. The Hub's legal note submitted in December 2023 was aimed to contribute to the International Court of Justice's request for an Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of climate change, expands on the arguments on the relevance of marine biodiversity science and international biodiversity law shared with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Among other things, the note expands on the Hub and partners' arguments on the legality of marine geo-engineering and carbon removal technologies. The legal note was prepared by Hub researchers from three research partner organisations including Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Andrea Longo, Dr Maria Ntona and Dr Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde); Dr Mitchell Lennan, (University of Aberdeen) and Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (The University of West Indies, Barbados). Summary of the key messages from the Legal Note could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In December 2023, One Ocean Hub researchers including Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (Head of the recently inaugurated Environmental Law, Ocean Governance & Climate Justice Unit of the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Law, Cave Hill Campus) led a joint submission together with Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Andrea Longo (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen) to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Dr Alana Lancaster also garnered support by legal scholars from organisations active in climate justice in the Caribbean and Latin American Region, including Renew TT (Britney G. Nurse), the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment and the International Law Association, Caribbean Branch (Sanya Alleyne). This joint submission was made following Chile and Colombia's joint Request to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to clarify the scope of State obligations in response to the climate emergency in their individual and collective dimensions in January 2023. The Request is a 14-page document which includes an introduction, a description of the effects of the climate emergency on human rights, a justification for having 'Inter-American Standards' to respond to the climate emergency in the Latin America and Caribbean Region (https://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/opiniones/soc_1_2023_en.pdf). Within this context, the Request comprises twenty-one questions, focusing on the obligations related to due diligence, the right to life, children's human rights, procedural rights, environmental human rights defenders, and common but differentiated responsibilities. All questions explicitly and implicitly seek clarification on how climate mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage relate to human rights obligations and draw on the Court's remit under the American Convention on Human Rights and its Additional Protocol in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The joint submission expanded on the submissions already prepared by Hub Researchers on the relevance of marine biodiversity, science and international biodiversity law to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Legal Note prepared for consideration by the International Court of Justice of the request for an Advisory Opinion on State obligations in respect of climate change. It is still too soon to measure the policy impacts from this collaboration, as the three international tribunals have not issued their decisions yet. Having said this, the submissions made by the Hub to ITLOS, Inter-American Court and the International Court of Justice have already elicited the attention of national decision makers' and climate experts' relation to the role of marine biodiversity science and law related to the ocean-climate -human rights nexus. In terms of societal impacts, the webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through human rights" in September 2023 contributed to enhance the capacity of 131 participants. From a gender perspective, the event spoke to a predominantly female audience (71.76%). This is common to other Hub events where we tend to speak to a predominately female audience, which is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. |
| Impact | Publications Morgera, E., Lennan, M., Kulovesi, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H. J., Harrould-Kolieb, E., Recio Piva, E., Hills, J., Ntona, M., Lancaster, A. M. S., Strand, M., Snow, B., Erwin, K., Shannon, L., Rees, S., Hyder, K., Engelhard, G., & Howell, K. (2023). Ocean-based Climate Action and Human Rights Implications under the International Climate Change Regime. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10142 Morgera, E., McQuaid, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H., Shannon, L., Strand, M., Rees, S., Howell, K., Snow, B., Lancaster, A. M. S., & Sauer, W. (2023). Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139 Morgera, E., & Lennan, M. (2023). Introduction: Applying a Human Rights Lens to the Ocean-Climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10138 Nakamura, J., Cirne Lima Weston, J., & Lennan, M. (2023). International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141 Shields, S., Longo, A., Strand, M., & Morgera, E. (2023). Children's Human Right to Be Heard at the Ocean-climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10140 Morgera, E. & Lennan M. (2024). "Ensuring Mutual Supportiveness of the Paris Agreement with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements: A Focus on Ocean-Based Climate Action, Forthcoming in Zahar (ed.) Research Handbook on the Law of the Paris Agreement (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4482946. Morgera, E., Hamley, G., and Lennan, M. (2023). "Chapter 16: Climate Change and Biodiversity" in Fred Perron-Welch, Jorge Cabrera Medaglia and Alex Goodman (eds), Legal Aspects of Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CUP). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4480824. Blogposts Lancaster, AM. (2024). "Contributing to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights in Clarifying State Obligations at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-inter-american-court-on-human-rights-in-clarifying-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Morgera E, Lennan M, Lancaster AMSN, Longo A, Ntona M and Webster E. (2024). "Legal Note: The request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea's opinion on State obligations at the ocean-climate nexus. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through a human rights," 7 September 2023. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=2s. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Influencing international courts on the ocean-climate nexus |
| Organisation | ClientEarth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | After 30 years of science on the ocean-climate nexus, 2023 is to be remembered as the year when the international community has scaled up climate change action to the level of international courts and tribunals. Three requests for an Advisory Opinion have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In addition, three climate-focused applications are now jointly pending before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. The Hub made written submissions to the ITLOS, ICJ and Inter-America Court to ensure that State obligations relevant for the ocean-climate nexus would be addressed, building on inter-disciplinary Hub research on the importance of marine biodiversity science for the ocean-climate nexus, and the need to interpret coherently international law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has been requested to clarify what States need to do (and do better) to effectively mitigate climate change and prevent further negative impacts on the ocean. ITLOS is an independent judicial body with jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and over all matters specifically provided for in any other agreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal. The ITLOS has agreed to respond to a request from the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law for an advisory opinion related to States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. ITLOS was asked to address two questions: what are the specific obligations of UNCLOS State Parties: (a) to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment in relation to the deleterious effects resulting from climate change and (b) to protect and preserve the marine environment in relation to climate change impacts, including ocean warming and sea level rise, and ocean acidification. To support ITLOS deliberations and the work of the many experts involved in the process, the One Ocean Hub, Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green organized a webinar to discuss the key points raised in their respective written submissions to ITLOS, in particular the relevance of international human rights law and international biodiversity law (and biodiversity science) to interpret States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. The purpose of the webinar was to engage with the legal and scientific experts that have prepared other written submissions to ITLOS, or that will otherwise be involved in the subsequent phases of these proceedings. It served to exchange ideas with climate, ocean and human rights experts that work at the national level on the ocean-climate nexus. The different presentations summarised the central arguments made by each organisation, as well as reflect on the legal arguments made by States and other organisations in their written submissions, and engage with questions from the audience about further developing or potential challenges to the arguments based on international human rights law and international biodiversity law. The webinar was organised on 5 September 2023 and was attended by 131 participants (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=1201s). The Hub also made a submission to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (the latter was led by the University of West Indies; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b7l05h0n9egppnhdndk9eikct8) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. The main legal arguments are summarized in this blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ and they build upon work and partnerships related to children's human rights (see separate entry titled "Raising awareness about children's right to a healthy ocean). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; • partner organisations based in the Global North: the International Law Association Caribbean Branch, UK. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: RENEW TT, Trinidad and Tobago; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (Caribbean region), Barbados. • Research organisations based in the Global North University of Aberdeen, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Center for International Environmental Law, US; Opportunity Green, UK; ClientEarth, UK; the School of Law at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, US; UN Special Rapporteur on climate change, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The One Ocean Hub and partners have provided submissions in relation to the requests for an Advisory Opinion that have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2023 and 2024. The One Ocean Hub's submission to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which has been requested to clarify States' obligations to protect the marine environment from climate change, including as part of the general obligations to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution was made in July 2023. We shared our latest research on mutually supportive interpretations of the law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law as part of this submission. Summary of key messages highlighted in the written submission is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Several Hub partners and have also made submissions to ITLOS, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green. In the run up to the first Tribunal hearing on 11 September 2023, the Hub together with Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green co-organised a webinar to raise awareness regarding key points made by each organisation in the written submission. The webinar brought together representatives from each co-organising institutions together with Prof John Knox, International Law at Wake Forest University - former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and Dr Ian Fry, UN Special Rapporteur on climate change. The Hub's legal note submitted in December 2023 was aimed to contribute to the International Court of Justice's request for an Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of climate change, expands on the arguments on the relevance of marine biodiversity science and international biodiversity law shared with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Among other things, the note expands on the Hub and partners' arguments on the legality of marine geo-engineering and carbon removal technologies. The legal note was prepared by Hub researchers from three research partner organisations including Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Andrea Longo, Dr Maria Ntona and Dr Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde); Dr Mitchell Lennan, (University of Aberdeen) and Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (The University of West Indies, Barbados). Summary of the key messages from the Legal Note could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In December 2023, One Ocean Hub researchers including Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (Head of the recently inaugurated Environmental Law, Ocean Governance & Climate Justice Unit of the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Law, Cave Hill Campus) led a joint submission together with Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Andrea Longo (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen) to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Dr Alana Lancaster also garnered support by legal scholars from organisations active in climate justice in the Caribbean and Latin American Region, including Renew TT (Britney G. Nurse), the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment and the International Law Association, Caribbean Branch (Sanya Alleyne). This joint submission was made following Chile and Colombia's joint Request to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to clarify the scope of State obligations in response to the climate emergency in their individual and collective dimensions in January 2023. The Request is a 14-page document which includes an introduction, a description of the effects of the climate emergency on human rights, a justification for having 'Inter-American Standards' to respond to the climate emergency in the Latin America and Caribbean Region (https://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/opiniones/soc_1_2023_en.pdf). Within this context, the Request comprises twenty-one questions, focusing on the obligations related to due diligence, the right to life, children's human rights, procedural rights, environmental human rights defenders, and common but differentiated responsibilities. All questions explicitly and implicitly seek clarification on how climate mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage relate to human rights obligations and draw on the Court's remit under the American Convention on Human Rights and its Additional Protocol in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The joint submission expanded on the submissions already prepared by Hub Researchers on the relevance of marine biodiversity, science and international biodiversity law to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Legal Note prepared for consideration by the International Court of Justice of the request for an Advisory Opinion on State obligations in respect of climate change. It is still too soon to measure the policy impacts from this collaboration, as the three international tribunals have not issued their decisions yet. Having said this, the submissions made by the Hub to ITLOS, Inter-American Court and the International Court of Justice have already elicited the attention of national decision makers' and climate experts' relation to the role of marine biodiversity science and law related to the ocean-climate -human rights nexus. In terms of societal impacts, the webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through human rights" in September 2023 contributed to enhance the capacity of 131 participants. From a gender perspective, the event spoke to a predominantly female audience (71.76%). This is common to other Hub events where we tend to speak to a predominately female audience, which is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. |
| Impact | Publications Morgera, E., Lennan, M., Kulovesi, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H. J., Harrould-Kolieb, E., Recio Piva, E., Hills, J., Ntona, M., Lancaster, A. M. S., Strand, M., Snow, B., Erwin, K., Shannon, L., Rees, S., Hyder, K., Engelhard, G., & Howell, K. (2023). Ocean-based Climate Action and Human Rights Implications under the International Climate Change Regime. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10142 Morgera, E., McQuaid, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H., Shannon, L., Strand, M., Rees, S., Howell, K., Snow, B., Lancaster, A. M. S., & Sauer, W. (2023). Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139 Morgera, E., & Lennan, M. (2023). Introduction: Applying a Human Rights Lens to the Ocean-Climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10138 Nakamura, J., Cirne Lima Weston, J., & Lennan, M. (2023). International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141 Shields, S., Longo, A., Strand, M., & Morgera, E. (2023). Children's Human Right to Be Heard at the Ocean-climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10140 Morgera, E. & Lennan M. (2024). "Ensuring Mutual Supportiveness of the Paris Agreement with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements: A Focus on Ocean-Based Climate Action, Forthcoming in Zahar (ed.) Research Handbook on the Law of the Paris Agreement (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4482946. Morgera, E., Hamley, G., and Lennan, M. (2023). "Chapter 16: Climate Change and Biodiversity" in Fred Perron-Welch, Jorge Cabrera Medaglia and Alex Goodman (eds), Legal Aspects of Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CUP). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4480824. Blogposts Lancaster, AM. (2024). "Contributing to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights in Clarifying State Obligations at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-inter-american-court-on-human-rights-in-clarifying-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Morgera E, Lennan M, Lancaster AMSN, Longo A, Ntona M and Webster E. (2024). "Legal Note: The request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea's opinion on State obligations at the ocean-climate nexus. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through a human rights," 7 September 2023. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=2s. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Influencing international courts on the ocean-climate nexus |
| Organisation | University of Aberdeen |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | After 30 years of science on the ocean-climate nexus, 2023 is to be remembered as the year when the international community has scaled up climate change action to the level of international courts and tribunals. Three requests for an Advisory Opinion have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In addition, three climate-focused applications are now jointly pending before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. The Hub made written submissions to the ITLOS, ICJ and Inter-America Court to ensure that State obligations relevant for the ocean-climate nexus would be addressed, building on inter-disciplinary Hub research on the importance of marine biodiversity science for the ocean-climate nexus, and the need to interpret coherently international law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has been requested to clarify what States need to do (and do better) to effectively mitigate climate change and prevent further negative impacts on the ocean. ITLOS is an independent judicial body with jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and over all matters specifically provided for in any other agreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal. The ITLOS has agreed to respond to a request from the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law for an advisory opinion related to States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. ITLOS was asked to address two questions: what are the specific obligations of UNCLOS State Parties: (a) to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment in relation to the deleterious effects resulting from climate change and (b) to protect and preserve the marine environment in relation to climate change impacts, including ocean warming and sea level rise, and ocean acidification. To support ITLOS deliberations and the work of the many experts involved in the process, the One Ocean Hub, Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green organized a webinar to discuss the key points raised in their respective written submissions to ITLOS, in particular the relevance of international human rights law and international biodiversity law (and biodiversity science) to interpret States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. The purpose of the webinar was to engage with the legal and scientific experts that have prepared other written submissions to ITLOS, or that will otherwise be involved in the subsequent phases of these proceedings. It served to exchange ideas with climate, ocean and human rights experts that work at the national level on the ocean-climate nexus. The different presentations summarised the central arguments made by each organisation, as well as reflect on the legal arguments made by States and other organisations in their written submissions, and engage with questions from the audience about further developing or potential challenges to the arguments based on international human rights law and international biodiversity law. The webinar was organised on 5 September 2023 and was attended by 131 participants (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=1201s). The Hub also made a submission to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (the latter was led by the University of West Indies; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b7l05h0n9egppnhdndk9eikct8) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. The main legal arguments are summarized in this blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ and they build upon work and partnerships related to children's human rights (see separate entry titled "Raising awareness about children's right to a healthy ocean). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; • partner organisations based in the Global North: the International Law Association Caribbean Branch, UK. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: RENEW TT, Trinidad and Tobago; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (Caribbean region), Barbados. • Research organisations based in the Global North University of Aberdeen, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Center for International Environmental Law, US; Opportunity Green, UK; ClientEarth, UK; the School of Law at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, US; UN Special Rapporteur on climate change, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The One Ocean Hub and partners have provided submissions in relation to the requests for an Advisory Opinion that have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2023 and 2024. The One Ocean Hub's submission to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which has been requested to clarify States' obligations to protect the marine environment from climate change, including as part of the general obligations to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution was made in July 2023. We shared our latest research on mutually supportive interpretations of the law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law as part of this submission. Summary of key messages highlighted in the written submission is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Several Hub partners and have also made submissions to ITLOS, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green. In the run up to the first Tribunal hearing on 11 September 2023, the Hub together with Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green co-organised a webinar to raise awareness regarding key points made by each organisation in the written submission. The webinar brought together representatives from each co-organising institutions together with Prof John Knox, International Law at Wake Forest University - former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and Dr Ian Fry, UN Special Rapporteur on climate change. The Hub's legal note submitted in December 2023 was aimed to contribute to the International Court of Justice's request for an Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of climate change, expands on the arguments on the relevance of marine biodiversity science and international biodiversity law shared with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Among other things, the note expands on the Hub and partners' arguments on the legality of marine geo-engineering and carbon removal technologies. The legal note was prepared by Hub researchers from three research partner organisations including Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Andrea Longo, Dr Maria Ntona and Dr Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde); Dr Mitchell Lennan, (University of Aberdeen) and Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (The University of West Indies, Barbados). Summary of the key messages from the Legal Note could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In December 2023, One Ocean Hub researchers including Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (Head of the recently inaugurated Environmental Law, Ocean Governance & Climate Justice Unit of the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Law, Cave Hill Campus) led a joint submission together with Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Andrea Longo (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen) to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Dr Alana Lancaster also garnered support by legal scholars from organisations active in climate justice in the Caribbean and Latin American Region, including Renew TT (Britney G. Nurse), the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment and the International Law Association, Caribbean Branch (Sanya Alleyne). This joint submission was made following Chile and Colombia's joint Request to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to clarify the scope of State obligations in response to the climate emergency in their individual and collective dimensions in January 2023. The Request is a 14-page document which includes an introduction, a description of the effects of the climate emergency on human rights, a justification for having 'Inter-American Standards' to respond to the climate emergency in the Latin America and Caribbean Region (https://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/opiniones/soc_1_2023_en.pdf). Within this context, the Request comprises twenty-one questions, focusing on the obligations related to due diligence, the right to life, children's human rights, procedural rights, environmental human rights defenders, and common but differentiated responsibilities. All questions explicitly and implicitly seek clarification on how climate mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage relate to human rights obligations and draw on the Court's remit under the American Convention on Human Rights and its Additional Protocol in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The joint submission expanded on the submissions already prepared by Hub Researchers on the relevance of marine biodiversity, science and international biodiversity law to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Legal Note prepared for consideration by the International Court of Justice of the request for an Advisory Opinion on State obligations in respect of climate change. It is still too soon to measure the policy impacts from this collaboration, as the three international tribunals have not issued their decisions yet. Having said this, the submissions made by the Hub to ITLOS, Inter-American Court and the International Court of Justice have already elicited the attention of national decision makers' and climate experts' relation to the role of marine biodiversity science and law related to the ocean-climate -human rights nexus. In terms of societal impacts, the webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through human rights" in September 2023 contributed to enhance the capacity of 131 participants. From a gender perspective, the event spoke to a predominantly female audience (71.76%). This is common to other Hub events where we tend to speak to a predominately female audience, which is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. |
| Impact | Publications Morgera, E., Lennan, M., Kulovesi, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H. J., Harrould-Kolieb, E., Recio Piva, E., Hills, J., Ntona, M., Lancaster, A. M. S., Strand, M., Snow, B., Erwin, K., Shannon, L., Rees, S., Hyder, K., Engelhard, G., & Howell, K. (2023). Ocean-based Climate Action and Human Rights Implications under the International Climate Change Regime. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10142 Morgera, E., McQuaid, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H., Shannon, L., Strand, M., Rees, S., Howell, K., Snow, B., Lancaster, A. M. S., & Sauer, W. (2023). Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139 Morgera, E., & Lennan, M. (2023). Introduction: Applying a Human Rights Lens to the Ocean-Climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10138 Nakamura, J., Cirne Lima Weston, J., & Lennan, M. (2023). International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141 Shields, S., Longo, A., Strand, M., & Morgera, E. (2023). Children's Human Right to Be Heard at the Ocean-climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10140 Morgera, E. & Lennan M. (2024). "Ensuring Mutual Supportiveness of the Paris Agreement with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements: A Focus on Ocean-Based Climate Action, Forthcoming in Zahar (ed.) Research Handbook on the Law of the Paris Agreement (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4482946. Morgera, E., Hamley, G., and Lennan, M. (2023). "Chapter 16: Climate Change and Biodiversity" in Fred Perron-Welch, Jorge Cabrera Medaglia and Alex Goodman (eds), Legal Aspects of Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CUP). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4480824. Blogposts Lancaster, AM. (2024). "Contributing to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights in Clarifying State Obligations at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-inter-american-court-on-human-rights-in-clarifying-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Morgera E, Lennan M, Lancaster AMSN, Longo A, Ntona M and Webster E. (2024). "Legal Note: The request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea's opinion on State obligations at the ocean-climate nexus. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through a human rights," 7 September 2023. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=2s. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Influencing international courts on the ocean-climate nexus |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | After 30 years of science on the ocean-climate nexus, 2023 is to be remembered as the year when the international community has scaled up climate change action to the level of international courts and tribunals. Three requests for an Advisory Opinion have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In addition, three climate-focused applications are now jointly pending before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. The Hub made written submissions to the ITLOS, ICJ and Inter-America Court to ensure that State obligations relevant for the ocean-climate nexus would be addressed, building on inter-disciplinary Hub research on the importance of marine biodiversity science for the ocean-climate nexus, and the need to interpret coherently international law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has been requested to clarify what States need to do (and do better) to effectively mitigate climate change and prevent further negative impacts on the ocean. ITLOS is an independent judicial body with jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and over all matters specifically provided for in any other agreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal. The ITLOS has agreed to respond to a request from the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law for an advisory opinion related to States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. ITLOS was asked to address two questions: what are the specific obligations of UNCLOS State Parties: (a) to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment in relation to the deleterious effects resulting from climate change and (b) to protect and preserve the marine environment in relation to climate change impacts, including ocean warming and sea level rise, and ocean acidification. To support ITLOS deliberations and the work of the many experts involved in the process, the One Ocean Hub, Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green organized a webinar to discuss the key points raised in their respective written submissions to ITLOS, in particular the relevance of international human rights law and international biodiversity law (and biodiversity science) to interpret States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. The purpose of the webinar was to engage with the legal and scientific experts that have prepared other written submissions to ITLOS, or that will otherwise be involved in the subsequent phases of these proceedings. It served to exchange ideas with climate, ocean and human rights experts that work at the national level on the ocean-climate nexus. The different presentations summarised the central arguments made by each organisation, as well as reflect on the legal arguments made by States and other organisations in their written submissions, and engage with questions from the audience about further developing or potential challenges to the arguments based on international human rights law and international biodiversity law. The webinar was organised on 5 September 2023 and was attended by 131 participants (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=1201s). The Hub also made a submission to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (the latter was led by the University of West Indies; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b7l05h0n9egppnhdndk9eikct8) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. The main legal arguments are summarized in this blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ and they build upon work and partnerships related to children's human rights (see separate entry titled "Raising awareness about children's right to a healthy ocean). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; • partner organisations based in the Global North: the International Law Association Caribbean Branch, UK. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: RENEW TT, Trinidad and Tobago; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (Caribbean region), Barbados. • Research organisations based in the Global North University of Aberdeen, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Center for International Environmental Law, US; Opportunity Green, UK; ClientEarth, UK; the School of Law at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, US; UN Special Rapporteur on climate change, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The One Ocean Hub and partners have provided submissions in relation to the requests for an Advisory Opinion that have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2023 and 2024. The One Ocean Hub's submission to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which has been requested to clarify States' obligations to protect the marine environment from climate change, including as part of the general obligations to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution was made in July 2023. We shared our latest research on mutually supportive interpretations of the law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law as part of this submission. Summary of key messages highlighted in the written submission is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Several Hub partners and have also made submissions to ITLOS, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green. In the run up to the first Tribunal hearing on 11 September 2023, the Hub together with Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green co-organised a webinar to raise awareness regarding key points made by each organisation in the written submission. The webinar brought together representatives from each co-organising institutions together with Prof John Knox, International Law at Wake Forest University - former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and Dr Ian Fry, UN Special Rapporteur on climate change. The Hub's legal note submitted in December 2023 was aimed to contribute to the International Court of Justice's request for an Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of climate change, expands on the arguments on the relevance of marine biodiversity science and international biodiversity law shared with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Among other things, the note expands on the Hub and partners' arguments on the legality of marine geo-engineering and carbon removal technologies. The legal note was prepared by Hub researchers from three research partner organisations including Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Andrea Longo, Dr Maria Ntona and Dr Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde); Dr Mitchell Lennan, (University of Aberdeen) and Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (The University of West Indies, Barbados). Summary of the key messages from the Legal Note could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In December 2023, One Ocean Hub researchers including Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (Head of the recently inaugurated Environmental Law, Ocean Governance & Climate Justice Unit of the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Law, Cave Hill Campus) led a joint submission together with Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Andrea Longo (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen) to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Dr Alana Lancaster also garnered support by legal scholars from organisations active in climate justice in the Caribbean and Latin American Region, including Renew TT (Britney G. Nurse), the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment and the International Law Association, Caribbean Branch (Sanya Alleyne). This joint submission was made following Chile and Colombia's joint Request to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to clarify the scope of State obligations in response to the climate emergency in their individual and collective dimensions in January 2023. The Request is a 14-page document which includes an introduction, a description of the effects of the climate emergency on human rights, a justification for having 'Inter-American Standards' to respond to the climate emergency in the Latin America and Caribbean Region (https://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/opiniones/soc_1_2023_en.pdf). Within this context, the Request comprises twenty-one questions, focusing on the obligations related to due diligence, the right to life, children's human rights, procedural rights, environmental human rights defenders, and common but differentiated responsibilities. All questions explicitly and implicitly seek clarification on how climate mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage relate to human rights obligations and draw on the Court's remit under the American Convention on Human Rights and its Additional Protocol in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The joint submission expanded on the submissions already prepared by Hub Researchers on the relevance of marine biodiversity, science and international biodiversity law to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Legal Note prepared for consideration by the International Court of Justice of the request for an Advisory Opinion on State obligations in respect of climate change. It is still too soon to measure the policy impacts from this collaboration, as the three international tribunals have not issued their decisions yet. Having said this, the submissions made by the Hub to ITLOS, Inter-American Court and the International Court of Justice have already elicited the attention of national decision makers' and climate experts' relation to the role of marine biodiversity science and law related to the ocean-climate -human rights nexus. In terms of societal impacts, the webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through human rights" in September 2023 contributed to enhance the capacity of 131 participants. From a gender perspective, the event spoke to a predominantly female audience (71.76%). This is common to other Hub events where we tend to speak to a predominately female audience, which is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. |
| Impact | Publications Morgera, E., Lennan, M., Kulovesi, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H. J., Harrould-Kolieb, E., Recio Piva, E., Hills, J., Ntona, M., Lancaster, A. M. S., Strand, M., Snow, B., Erwin, K., Shannon, L., Rees, S., Hyder, K., Engelhard, G., & Howell, K. (2023). Ocean-based Climate Action and Human Rights Implications under the International Climate Change Regime. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10142 Morgera, E., McQuaid, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H., Shannon, L., Strand, M., Rees, S., Howell, K., Snow, B., Lancaster, A. M. S., & Sauer, W. (2023). Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139 Morgera, E., & Lennan, M. (2023). Introduction: Applying a Human Rights Lens to the Ocean-Climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10138 Nakamura, J., Cirne Lima Weston, J., & Lennan, M. (2023). International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141 Shields, S., Longo, A., Strand, M., & Morgera, E. (2023). Children's Human Right to Be Heard at the Ocean-climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10140 Morgera, E. & Lennan M. (2024). "Ensuring Mutual Supportiveness of the Paris Agreement with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements: A Focus on Ocean-Based Climate Action, Forthcoming in Zahar (ed.) Research Handbook on the Law of the Paris Agreement (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4482946. Morgera, E., Hamley, G., and Lennan, M. (2023). "Chapter 16: Climate Change and Biodiversity" in Fred Perron-Welch, Jorge Cabrera Medaglia and Alex Goodman (eds), Legal Aspects of Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CUP). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4480824. Blogposts Lancaster, AM. (2024). "Contributing to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights in Clarifying State Obligations at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-inter-american-court-on-human-rights-in-clarifying-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Morgera E, Lennan M, Lancaster AMSN, Longo A, Ntona M and Webster E. (2024). "Legal Note: The request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea's opinion on State obligations at the ocean-climate nexus. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through a human rights," 7 September 2023. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=2s. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Influencing international courts on the ocean-climate nexus |
| Organisation | University of the West Indies |
| Country | Barbados |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | After 30 years of science on the ocean-climate nexus, 2023 is to be remembered as the year when the international community has scaled up climate change action to the level of international courts and tribunals. Three requests for an Advisory Opinion have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In addition, three climate-focused applications are now jointly pending before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. The Hub made written submissions to the ITLOS, ICJ and Inter-America Court to ensure that State obligations relevant for the ocean-climate nexus would be addressed, building on inter-disciplinary Hub research on the importance of marine biodiversity science for the ocean-climate nexus, and the need to interpret coherently international law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has been requested to clarify what States need to do (and do better) to effectively mitigate climate change and prevent further negative impacts on the ocean. ITLOS is an independent judicial body with jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and over all matters specifically provided for in any other agreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal. The ITLOS has agreed to respond to a request from the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law for an advisory opinion related to States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. ITLOS was asked to address two questions: what are the specific obligations of UNCLOS State Parties: (a) to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment in relation to the deleterious effects resulting from climate change and (b) to protect and preserve the marine environment in relation to climate change impacts, including ocean warming and sea level rise, and ocean acidification. To support ITLOS deliberations and the work of the many experts involved in the process, the One Ocean Hub, Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green organized a webinar to discuss the key points raised in their respective written submissions to ITLOS, in particular the relevance of international human rights law and international biodiversity law (and biodiversity science) to interpret States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. The purpose of the webinar was to engage with the legal and scientific experts that have prepared other written submissions to ITLOS, or that will otherwise be involved in the subsequent phases of these proceedings. It served to exchange ideas with climate, ocean and human rights experts that work at the national level on the ocean-climate nexus. The different presentations summarised the central arguments made by each organisation, as well as reflect on the legal arguments made by States and other organisations in their written submissions, and engage with questions from the audience about further developing or potential challenges to the arguments based on international human rights law and international biodiversity law. The webinar was organised on 5 September 2023 and was attended by 131 participants (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=1201s). The Hub also made a submission to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (the latter was led by the University of West Indies; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b7l05h0n9egppnhdndk9eikct8) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. The main legal arguments are summarized in this blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ and they build upon work and partnerships related to children's human rights (see separate entry titled "Raising awareness about children's right to a healthy ocean). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; • partner organisations based in the Global North: the International Law Association Caribbean Branch, UK. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: RENEW TT, Trinidad and Tobago; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (Caribbean region), Barbados. • Research organisations based in the Global North University of Aberdeen, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Center for International Environmental Law, US; Opportunity Green, UK; ClientEarth, UK; the School of Law at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, US; UN Special Rapporteur on climate change, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The One Ocean Hub and partners have provided submissions in relation to the requests for an Advisory Opinion that have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2023 and 2024. The One Ocean Hub's submission to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which has been requested to clarify States' obligations to protect the marine environment from climate change, including as part of the general obligations to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution was made in July 2023. We shared our latest research on mutually supportive interpretations of the law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law as part of this submission. Summary of key messages highlighted in the written submission is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Several Hub partners and have also made submissions to ITLOS, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green. In the run up to the first Tribunal hearing on 11 September 2023, the Hub together with Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green co-organised a webinar to raise awareness regarding key points made by each organisation in the written submission. The webinar brought together representatives from each co-organising institutions together with Prof John Knox, International Law at Wake Forest University - former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and Dr Ian Fry, UN Special Rapporteur on climate change. The Hub's legal note submitted in December 2023 was aimed to contribute to the International Court of Justice's request for an Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of climate change, expands on the arguments on the relevance of marine biodiversity science and international biodiversity law shared with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Among other things, the note expands on the Hub and partners' arguments on the legality of marine geo-engineering and carbon removal technologies. The legal note was prepared by Hub researchers from three research partner organisations including Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Andrea Longo, Dr Maria Ntona and Dr Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde); Dr Mitchell Lennan, (University of Aberdeen) and Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (The University of West Indies, Barbados). Summary of the key messages from the Legal Note could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In December 2023, One Ocean Hub researchers including Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (Head of the recently inaugurated Environmental Law, Ocean Governance & Climate Justice Unit of the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Law, Cave Hill Campus) led a joint submission together with Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Andrea Longo (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen) to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Dr Alana Lancaster also garnered support by legal scholars from organisations active in climate justice in the Caribbean and Latin American Region, including Renew TT (Britney G. Nurse), the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment and the International Law Association, Caribbean Branch (Sanya Alleyne). This joint submission was made following Chile and Colombia's joint Request to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to clarify the scope of State obligations in response to the climate emergency in their individual and collective dimensions in January 2023. The Request is a 14-page document which includes an introduction, a description of the effects of the climate emergency on human rights, a justification for having 'Inter-American Standards' to respond to the climate emergency in the Latin America and Caribbean Region (https://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/opiniones/soc_1_2023_en.pdf). Within this context, the Request comprises twenty-one questions, focusing on the obligations related to due diligence, the right to life, children's human rights, procedural rights, environmental human rights defenders, and common but differentiated responsibilities. All questions explicitly and implicitly seek clarification on how climate mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage relate to human rights obligations and draw on the Court's remit under the American Convention on Human Rights and its Additional Protocol in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The joint submission expanded on the submissions already prepared by Hub Researchers on the relevance of marine biodiversity, science and international biodiversity law to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Legal Note prepared for consideration by the International Court of Justice of the request for an Advisory Opinion on State obligations in respect of climate change. It is still too soon to measure the policy impacts from this collaboration, as the three international tribunals have not issued their decisions yet. Having said this, the submissions made by the Hub to ITLOS, Inter-American Court and the International Court of Justice have already elicited the attention of national decision makers' and climate experts' relation to the role of marine biodiversity science and law related to the ocean-climate -human rights nexus. In terms of societal impacts, the webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through human rights" in September 2023 contributed to enhance the capacity of 131 participants. From a gender perspective, the event spoke to a predominantly female audience (71.76%). This is common to other Hub events where we tend to speak to a predominately female audience, which is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. |
| Impact | Publications Morgera, E., Lennan, M., Kulovesi, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H. J., Harrould-Kolieb, E., Recio Piva, E., Hills, J., Ntona, M., Lancaster, A. M. S., Strand, M., Snow, B., Erwin, K., Shannon, L., Rees, S., Hyder, K., Engelhard, G., & Howell, K. (2023). Ocean-based Climate Action and Human Rights Implications under the International Climate Change Regime. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10142 Morgera, E., McQuaid, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H., Shannon, L., Strand, M., Rees, S., Howell, K., Snow, B., Lancaster, A. M. S., & Sauer, W. (2023). Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139 Morgera, E., & Lennan, M. (2023). Introduction: Applying a Human Rights Lens to the Ocean-Climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10138 Nakamura, J., Cirne Lima Weston, J., & Lennan, M. (2023). International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141 Shields, S., Longo, A., Strand, M., & Morgera, E. (2023). Children's Human Right to Be Heard at the Ocean-climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10140 Morgera, E. & Lennan M. (2024). "Ensuring Mutual Supportiveness of the Paris Agreement with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements: A Focus on Ocean-Based Climate Action, Forthcoming in Zahar (ed.) Research Handbook on the Law of the Paris Agreement (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4482946. Morgera, E., Hamley, G., and Lennan, M. (2023). "Chapter 16: Climate Change and Biodiversity" in Fred Perron-Welch, Jorge Cabrera Medaglia and Alex Goodman (eds), Legal Aspects of Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CUP). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4480824. Blogposts Lancaster, AM. (2024). "Contributing to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights in Clarifying State Obligations at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-inter-american-court-on-human-rights-in-clarifying-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Morgera E, Lennan M, Lancaster AMSN, Longo A, Ntona M and Webster E. (2024). "Legal Note: The request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea's opinion on State obligations at the ocean-climate nexus. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through a human rights," 7 September 2023. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=2s. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Influencing international courts on the ocean-climate nexus |
| Organisation | Wake Forest University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | After 30 years of science on the ocean-climate nexus, 2023 is to be remembered as the year when the international community has scaled up climate change action to the level of international courts and tribunals. Three requests for an Advisory Opinion have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In addition, three climate-focused applications are now jointly pending before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. The Hub made written submissions to the ITLOS, ICJ and Inter-America Court to ensure that State obligations relevant for the ocean-climate nexus would be addressed, building on inter-disciplinary Hub research on the importance of marine biodiversity science for the ocean-climate nexus, and the need to interpret coherently international law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has been requested to clarify what States need to do (and do better) to effectively mitigate climate change and prevent further negative impacts on the ocean. ITLOS is an independent judicial body with jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and over all matters specifically provided for in any other agreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal. The ITLOS has agreed to respond to a request from the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law for an advisory opinion related to States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. ITLOS was asked to address two questions: what are the specific obligations of UNCLOS State Parties: (a) to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment in relation to the deleterious effects resulting from climate change and (b) to protect and preserve the marine environment in relation to climate change impacts, including ocean warming and sea level rise, and ocean acidification. To support ITLOS deliberations and the work of the many experts involved in the process, the One Ocean Hub, Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green organized a webinar to discuss the key points raised in their respective written submissions to ITLOS, in particular the relevance of international human rights law and international biodiversity law (and biodiversity science) to interpret States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. The purpose of the webinar was to engage with the legal and scientific experts that have prepared other written submissions to ITLOS, or that will otherwise be involved in the subsequent phases of these proceedings. It served to exchange ideas with climate, ocean and human rights experts that work at the national level on the ocean-climate nexus. The different presentations summarised the central arguments made by each organisation, as well as reflect on the legal arguments made by States and other organisations in their written submissions, and engage with questions from the audience about further developing or potential challenges to the arguments based on international human rights law and international biodiversity law. The webinar was organised on 5 September 2023 and was attended by 131 participants (watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=1201s). The Hub also made a submission to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (the latter was led by the University of West Indies; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/b7l05h0n9egppnhdndk9eikct8) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. The main legal arguments are summarized in this blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ and they build upon work and partnerships related to children's human rights (see separate entry titled "Raising awareness about children's right to a healthy ocean). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; • partner organisations based in the Global North: the International Law Association Caribbean Branch, UK. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: RENEW TT, Trinidad and Tobago; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (Caribbean region), Barbados. • Research organisations based in the Global North University of Aberdeen, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Center for International Environmental Law, US; Opportunity Green, UK; ClientEarth, UK; the School of Law at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, US; UN Special Rapporteur on climate change, Switzerland. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The One Ocean Hub and partners have provided submissions in relation to the requests for an Advisory Opinion that have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2023 and 2024. The One Ocean Hub's submission to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which has been requested to clarify States' obligations to protect the marine environment from climate change, including as part of the general obligations to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution was made in July 2023. We shared our latest research on mutually supportive interpretations of the law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law as part of this submission. Summary of key messages highlighted in the written submission is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Several Hub partners and have also made submissions to ITLOS, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green. In the run up to the first Tribunal hearing on 11 September 2023, the Hub together with Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green co-organised a webinar to raise awareness regarding key points made by each organisation in the written submission. The webinar brought together representatives from each co-organising institutions together with Prof John Knox, International Law at Wake Forest University - former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and Dr Ian Fry, UN Special Rapporteur on climate change. The Hub's legal note submitted in December 2023 was aimed to contribute to the International Court of Justice's request for an Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of climate change, expands on the arguments on the relevance of marine biodiversity science and international biodiversity law shared with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Among other things, the note expands on the Hub and partners' arguments on the legality of marine geo-engineering and carbon removal technologies. The legal note was prepared by Hub researchers from three research partner organisations including Prof Elisa Morgera, Dr Andrea Longo, Dr Maria Ntona and Dr Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde); Dr Mitchell Lennan, (University of Aberdeen) and Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (The University of West Indies, Barbados). Summary of the key messages from the Legal Note could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In December 2023, One Ocean Hub researchers including Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (Head of the recently inaugurated Environmental Law, Ocean Governance & Climate Justice Unit of the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Law, Cave Hill Campus) led a joint submission together with Prof Elisa Morgera and Dr Andrea Longo (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen) to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Dr Alana Lancaster also garnered support by legal scholars from organisations active in climate justice in the Caribbean and Latin American Region, including Renew TT (Britney G. Nurse), the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment and the International Law Association, Caribbean Branch (Sanya Alleyne). This joint submission was made following Chile and Colombia's joint Request to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to clarify the scope of State obligations in response to the climate emergency in their individual and collective dimensions in January 2023. The Request is a 14-page document which includes an introduction, a description of the effects of the climate emergency on human rights, a justification for having 'Inter-American Standards' to respond to the climate emergency in the Latin America and Caribbean Region (https://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/opiniones/soc_1_2023_en.pdf). Within this context, the Request comprises twenty-one questions, focusing on the obligations related to due diligence, the right to life, children's human rights, procedural rights, environmental human rights defenders, and common but differentiated responsibilities. All questions explicitly and implicitly seek clarification on how climate mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage relate to human rights obligations and draw on the Court's remit under the American Convention on Human Rights and its Additional Protocol in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The joint submission expanded on the submissions already prepared by Hub Researchers on the relevance of marine biodiversity, science and international biodiversity law to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Legal Note prepared for consideration by the International Court of Justice of the request for an Advisory Opinion on State obligations in respect of climate change. It is still too soon to measure the policy impacts from this collaboration, as the three international tribunals have not issued their decisions yet. Having said this, the submissions made by the Hub to ITLOS, Inter-American Court and the International Court of Justice have already elicited the attention of national decision makers' and climate experts' relation to the role of marine biodiversity science and law related to the ocean-climate -human rights nexus. In terms of societal impacts, the webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through human rights" in September 2023 contributed to enhance the capacity of 131 participants. From a gender perspective, the event spoke to a predominantly female audience (71.76%). This is common to other Hub events where we tend to speak to a predominately female audience, which is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. |
| Impact | Publications Morgera, E., Lennan, M., Kulovesi, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H. J., Harrould-Kolieb, E., Recio Piva, E., Hills, J., Ntona, M., Lancaster, A. M. S., Strand, M., Snow, B., Erwin, K., Shannon, L., Rees, S., Hyder, K., Engelhard, G., & Howell, K. (2023). Ocean-based Climate Action and Human Rights Implications under the International Climate Change Regime. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10142 Morgera, E., McQuaid, K., La Bianca, G., Niner, H., Shannon, L., Strand, M., Rees, S., Howell, K., Snow, B., Lancaster, A. M. S., & Sauer, W. (2023). Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139 Morgera, E., & Lennan, M. (2023). Introduction: Applying a Human Rights Lens to the Ocean-Climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10138 Nakamura, J., Cirne Lima Weston, J., & Lennan, M. (2023). International Legal Responses for Protecting Fishers' Fundamental Rights Impacted by a Changing Ocean. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10141 Shields, S., Longo, A., Strand, M., & Morgera, E. (2023). Children's Human Right to Be Heard at the Ocean-climate Nexus. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10140 Morgera, E. & Lennan M. (2024). "Ensuring Mutual Supportiveness of the Paris Agreement with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements: A Focus on Ocean-Based Climate Action, Forthcoming in Zahar (ed.) Research Handbook on the Law of the Paris Agreement (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4482946. Morgera, E., Hamley, G., and Lennan, M. (2023). "Chapter 16: Climate Change and Biodiversity" in Fred Perron-Welch, Jorge Cabrera Medaglia and Alex Goodman (eds), Legal Aspects of Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CUP). Available from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4480824. Blogposts Lancaster, AM. (2024). "Contributing to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights in Clarifying State Obligations at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-inter-american-court-on-human-rights-in-clarifying-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. Morgera E, Lennan M, Lancaster AMSN, Longo A, Ntona M and Webster E. (2024). "Legal Note: The request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Contributing to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea's opinion on State obligations at the ocean-climate nexus. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Webinar "Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through a human rights," 7 September 2023. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc&t=2s. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | Greenpeace International |
| Department | Greenpeace UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | Grid-Arendal |
| Country | Norway |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature |
| Department | International Union for Conservation of Nature,UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) Potsdam |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | Mercator Océan |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | Ocean Foundation |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | Pew Charitable Trusts |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | United Nations Institute for Training and Research |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | University of Aberdeen |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | University of Ghana |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | University of Waterloo |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | University of Wollongong |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Influencing international negotiations on deep-seabed mining |
| Organisation | University of the West Indies |
| Country | Barbados |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hub has set, as part of its international Theory of Change, the outcome of supporting Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in relevant international negotiations. Linked to the Hub's contributions to the UN negotiations on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ - see separate entry titled Influencing UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Hub has also provided inputs on parallel international negotiations on the regulation of deep-seabed mining under the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These inputs have been based on Hub's ongoing research on the importance of protecting deep-sea ecosystems and their benefits to human wellbeing (which contribute to protect basic human rights), identified inequities in international scientific collaborations and insights on the importance of the ocean genome not only for bio-based discovery but for essential conservation of the ocean. In 2020, the Hub published in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED - a research partner) a policy brief on the legal concerns around deep-seabed mining from an international investment law perspective: https://www.iied.org/17746iied In 2021-2022, the Hub was invited to contribute to virtual events organized by external institutions to make the ISA negotiations more accessible to non-experts and raise their profile from an environmental protection perspective. The Hub was invited to raise awareness about the relevance for the protection of marine biodiversity and human rights of the ISA negotiations, as well as the opportunity to rely on international human rights standards to address some of the widely identified shortcomings in terms of transparency and inclusiveness of the ISA negotiations. On 10 November 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE convened a webinar titled "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making," to hear experts' perspectives on national and international systems for engaging stakeholders in environmental decision-making in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (read summary of the webinar here: https://www.resolve.ngo/docs/engaging_stakeholders_in_dsm_-_webinar_summary_-_final.pdf; the event recording is available here: https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). Professor Elisa Morgera, Director of the One Ocean Hub, provided an international perspective on public participation in the ISA, linking human rights law to inclusive ocean management. This was followed by an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to another webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" on 5th May 2022. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera presented findings also from Hub early-career researchers Dr Kirsty McQuaid and Dr Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde, UK) on the risks for biodiversity and human rights arising from deep-seabed mining. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. Hub researchers were thus invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at a virtual event on Decision Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship in May 2022. In addition, the Hub made two submissions to the ISA in response to an open call for public views: one on communications and stakeholder engagement strategy (see here: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international-seabed-authoritys-stakeholder-engagement-strategy/) and one on environmental impact assessments (https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/). The Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Further, Hub also raised the concerns about the environmental sustainability of deep-seabed mining in its submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on foreign investment/corporate accountability (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) and to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of ocean defenders in the context of the ISA: https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/. In the 2023 report of the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises on "Extractive sector, just transition and human rights" (UN Doc A/78/155), it was underscored that "it is important to consider the human rights and environmental impacts of the blue economy, including offshore energy and seabed mining projects" (para 44), as emphasized in the Hub submitted evidence to the UN Working Group: https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-for-human-rights-and-the-environment/. During Climate COP26 in 2021, Climate COP27 in 2022 and COP28 in 2023 the Hub also co-organised a total of seven side-events that drew attention to the impacts of deep-seabed mining to deep-sea ecosystem and services that it provided, human as well as planetary health, and children and young people's human right to a healthy ocean. These events are listed below: • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. The Hub Director was also interviewed by the specialized media outlet The Ecologist to explain the concerns about limited public participation at the ISA in 2023, including the need to recognize environmental activists as environmental human rights defenders in this context (see also separate entry on "Expanding alliances on ocean defender"): https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened The Hub also shared the breakthroughs in South African Hub research and courts for including Indigenous knowledge of the deep sea and their links to ancestral sites, and their relevance for the ISA in an online opinion piece: https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/. In late 2023, the Hub brokered a new broad partnership between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining, and an informal network of civil society and academics interested in the inclusiveness and sustainability of decisions at the ISA. This results in periodic meetings among the various partners to strategize on respective insights and actions that can be taken to contribute to more transparent and sustainable decisions by the ISA, including a confidential 5-page joint work plan which addresses the following questions: How has human rights informed your work and advocacy in the context of ISA; A focus on substantive human rights at risk from deep-seabed mining; Procedural human rights at the ISA; and pathways for addressing these arguments in and around the ISA. As a result, the UNOHCHR is seeking observer status at the ISA to contribute directly into the ISA negotiations, as well as identifying other UN processes that can influence those negotiations such as the UN Environment Assembly, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, etc. In addition, the UNOHCHR is supporting through this network better coordination across different UN bodies, including different sections of the UN Environment Programme and the UN-wide initiative on Critical Minerals. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Ghana, Ghana • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, US; the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Switzerland; UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Fiji; the University of the West Indies, Barbados. • Research organisations based in Global North: University of Aberdeen, UK; University of Waterloo, Canada; Institute For Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Germany; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France; Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. • Partner organisations based in Global North: United Nations Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights, Switzerland; The Pew Charitable Trusts, US; RESOLVE, US; Greenpeace, UK; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland; Ocean Vision US; Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), US no in-kind or financial contributions; the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), France; the Ocean Foundation, US; University of Wollongong, Australia; Oceans North, Canada; GRID-Arendal, Norway; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Sweden; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Land Body Ecologies, UK; Mercator Ocean International, France |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pew Charitable Trusts has long had a guiding principle linking civic participation to better policy outcomes, and this ambition takes on a new scope when considering the global scale of stakeholders for deep seabed mining in the area beyond national jurisdiction and the challenges associated with incorporating those stakeholders' voices into the decision-making process. The Pew Charitable Trust has been commissioning independent research on the ISA and sought to identify lessons about stakeholder participation in decision making during a series of webinars on the ISA. RESOLVE is a an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that work across sectors, borders, and political lines to engage with business, government, foundation, NGO, and community leaders to forge sustainable solutions to critical social, health, and environmental challenges by creating innovative partnerships where they are least likely and most needed (https://www.resolve.ngo/about.htm). World Economic Forum published a white paper on Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective in 2022 (https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Decision_Making_on_Deep_Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_2022.pdf) and invited complementary perspectives to address the serious gaps in inclusiveness and scientific robustness of the ISA decision-making process. UNOHCHR published a note on the human rights risks of deep-seabed mining in 2023 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/climatechange/information-materials/ohchr-seabed-mining-10-july.pdf and is advising civil society and academics on integrating human rights arguments in their advocacy and research activities at and around the ISA. Two officers of the UNOHCHR are engaged in the informal network brokered by the Hub, and liaise regularly with the One Ocean Hub Director on action and research needs in this connection. This collaboration has achieved notable impacts in influencing policy. The Hub has created a new network comprising over 20 organisations including civil society organisations (e.g. Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense and Ocean Vision), UN bodies (e.g. UNOHCHR and UNEP), universities (e.g. University of Wollongong and the University of Aberdeen) that joint forces to raise concerns over human rights risks of deep-sea bed mining across different international processes including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, particularly in the context of environmental aspects of minerals and metals managements resolution; the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council meeting on 18-29 March 2024 in Kingston Jamaica, and the 16th Convention on the Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP )on 21 October 2024 - 1 November 2024 in Colombia (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/aiv6u98rv0cvt7c4o6lt67npiu). UNOHCHR is planning to develop a brand-new strategy on human rights and the ocean in 2024 and has sought the Hub's advice. Hub Director Elisa Morgera made initial suggestions and provided resources to develop the ocean and human rights strategy (More information about suggestions made by Elisa Morgera could be found here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/f7nv7hkcm1eg1sfjqgjg9f8ri and here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rq480adlf7fs9e9jpma7idka08). Further, on 14 February 2024, the OHCHR notified the One Ocean Hub about the following actions that the UNOHCHR has made following advice provided by Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae): - submitted comments on the Convention on Biological Diversity global action plan for biodiversity and health, including some to bring more attention to the oceans and marine biodiversity-health nexus. - incorporated Elisa Morgera's comments on the oceans draft UNEA resolution in OHCHR advocacy. - connected Greenpeace to UNOHCHR colleagues working with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9adj195kfngqj8laqtt6k3tmae). This collaboration also has demonstrable societal impacts as all nine events that the Hub's has co-organised with other partners on deep-seabed mining has raised awareness and built capacity of 644 government officials, climate change negotiators, civil society representatives, children and youth activists, and regional and international bodies on human rights risks pertaining to this activity. |
| Impact | Academic publications 1. Bridges AEH, Howell K, Amaro T, Atkinson L Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell J, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JAA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B, Wienberg C. (2023). "Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management" Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Available from https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873 2. Morgera and Lily (2022). "Public Participation at the International Seabed Authority - an international human rights analysis." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/reel.12472 3. Hamley G. (2022). "The implications of seabed mining in the Area for the human right to health." Review of European, Comparative, & International Law. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12471 4. Shields et al, 'Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' (2023) 38(3) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 545-580 https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975. 5. Morgera, 'Participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making over deep-seabed mining' American Journal of International Law Unbound (2023). Blog posts 6. Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/. 7. Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress." (2022). Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. 8. Febrica S. (2021). The One Ocean Hub submits inputs into the International Seabed Authority's stakeholder engagement strategy, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-submits-inputs-into-the-international 9. Morgera E. (2022). "Highlighting critical gaps in decision making on deep-seabed mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ 10. Niner H & Kirsty McQuaid. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/. 11. Niner H, Lancaster AMSN, Germani V, Spadone A, Hennige S and Beck K. (2022). "Climate change & ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ 12. One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid receives an award for excellence in deep-sea research." https://oneoceanhub.org/early-career-researcher-kirsty-mcquaid-receives-an-award-for-excellence-in-deep-sea-research/ 13. One Ocean Hub. (2023). "New network of deep-water researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research". https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-deep-water-research/ 14. Sowman M, Sunde J and Lambrecht M. (2023). "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ Policy briefs Cotula L. & Berger T. (2000). 'Blue economy': why we should talk about investment law. Available from https://www.iied.org/17746iied Hoareau K, Pouponneau A, Morgera E, Lavelle J, Wynberg R. (2022). "Mutual learning through capacity building on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/ Strand M, Morgera E , Ntona M, Kenny A, Sauer W, Gaebel C, Lavelle J , Snow B. (2022). "Advancing participation in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-advancing-participation-in-the-conservation-sustainable-use-of-marine-biodiversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction-bbnj/ McQuaid K, Howell K , Rees S , Niner H , La Bianca G, Gjerde K and Morgera E. (2022). "The need for Strategic Environmental Assessments and Regional Environmental Assessment in ABNJ." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Policy-brief_5R2_StrategicEnvironmentalAssessments-_OOH_.pdf Media pieces Early C, "Deep sea mining talks - restrictions threat," 18 July 2023. Available from https://theecologist.org/2023/jul/18/draconian-deep-sea-mining-negotiation-restrictions-threatened. 360, "Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge," 5 July 2023 https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ Events • "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making" on 10 November 2021. The event was co-organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts and RESOLVE (https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm). The event was attended by 68 attendees. • "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective" The event was led by the World Economic Forum on 5 May 2022. This event was attended by 101 attendees. • "Children and Young People's Human Rights to A Healthy Ocean," online event on 22 November 2021 for the Climate COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden, the University of Plymouth and the University of Edinburgh. This event was attended by 45 attendees. • "Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade" (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) on 12 November 2022, Moroccan Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • "Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet" (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions" (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, Ocean Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change" in-person event that was held on 16 November 2022 at the Climate COP27 Health Pavilion, Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s). This event was co-organised by the Hub in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; the University of Strathclyde, UK; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France; the University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Land Body Ecologies, UK; University of Ghana, Ghana; Mercator Ocean International, France; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy; United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • "Climate change and ecosystem services in areas beyond national jurisdiction" webinar for the Climate COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion that took place on 6 December 2022, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg). This event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the University of Plymouth, UK; the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event was attended by 74 attendees. • COP28 side-event "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean" webinar that the Hub co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on 13 December 2023 (https://www.uncclearn.org/climate-classroom-cop28-climate-change-and-the-oceans/; event recording is available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. This event recording is only for internal purpose). This event was attended by 266 attendees. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Integrating the ocean and human rights in global capacity-building tools on environmental law |
| Organisation | Durban University of Technology |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In 2021 the University of Strathclyde carried out a consultancy contract for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which has been a Hub Project Partner from the start, to deliver a package of knowledge products to enhance the content of the UNEP-led InforMEA E-learning platform and systemically link it with the Law and Environment Assistance Platform. InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Hub's contribution connected different sectors of international law on SDG 14, as well as connected human rights and the protection of the marine environment, with regard to all the SDG 14 targets, as well as specific issues related to marine litter. Based on the innovative nature of the new content, the Hub was invited to present on marine litter and human rights at two international events: • Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021; and • UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility on 17 February 2022. In 2022, UNEP expanded the consultancy and invited the Hub to develop also a new e-learning course on gender and the environment, which was launched in early 2023. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing partnerships that include various organisations based in the Global South and the Global North that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisation based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya |
| Collaborator Contribution | Over the past 10 years, UN Environment has supported the InforMEA Initiative to improve coherence in the area of information and knowledge sharing in support of effective implementation of multilateral environmental agreements. The current phase of the InforMEA project seeks to support collective intelligence approaches to International Environmental Governance overall, which includes the enhancement of its unique learning platform and the development of services on the connected Law and Environment Assistance Platform. This included legislative toolkits and in particular the legislative toolkit on plastic pollution which covers single use plastic and increasingly marine litter legislation and policy. UNEP is providing finance to support the development of the content enhancement led by Strathclyde, in line with the Hub's mission to connect different norms for integrated and inclusive ocean management (notably human rights and the marine environment, as well as health, trade, freshwaters, climate change). As lead partners in the One Ocean Hub, Strathclyde coordinated with expertise across the Hub research network, to deliver: 1. a Learning Course on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. This course surveys the full range of SDG 14 targets and how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) contribute to their achievement, including marine pollution, marine ecosystem management, ocean acidification, fishing, marine protected areas, fishing subsidies, SIDS and the sustainable use of marine resources, research and technology transfer, small-scale fisheries, and ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law. The Hub connected each target with relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between SDG 14 and other SDGs. In particular, the Hub also integrated specific section on children's human rights to a healthy environment, thereby supporting connections within UNEP on separate streams of work on children's human rights and SDGs. 2. Expansion of the Plastics toolkit to cover key aspects of marine litter. This work built on a draft plastics toolkit on the Law and Environment Assistance platform and complemented it with broader considerations about marine litter such as marine litter-related legislation, policy and case-studies to inform law-makers of best practices and different approaches. To this end, original content was compiled, and integrated in the most intuitive manner to inform legislative work and policymakers when tackling marine litter. Hub researchers from each focus country in Africa and the Caribbean different disciplines and countries are developing in 2022 national case studies to be integrated in the toolkit. 3. a Learning Course on Marine Litter Building on the outcomes of activity 2, this course focused in greater depth, and beyond just MEAs, on one subset of land-based marine pollution: marine litter. The course surveyed the issue, and looks at the international legal and policy framework, as well as regulatory approaches within national legislation. The course has a strong focus on plastic pollution as an especially important global concern within marine litter. The Hub ensured mainstreaming of relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between marine litter and other SDGs. 4. a series of awareness-raising materials on the interlinkages between environmental justice and marine litter to highlight how plastic pollution hinders the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and how the entire lifecycle of plastics -from source extraction to waste- disproportionately affects marginalized communities around the world. This output has been expanded in 2022 to include two new fact-sheets on women's human rights and ocean plastics, and on informal waste-pickers' human rights and ocean plastics (which will be published online in 2024). 5. An e-learning course on gender and the environment, which analyzed legal and policy developments across international agreements in the areas of terrestrial biodiversity, freshwater, climate change, chemicals, and the ocean on gender equality. The Hub is supporting engagement with global scholarship on environmental justice, notably from the Global South, and providing case studies from its focus countries, as well as analysis of the current international law developments at the intersection of human rights and the safe management of plastics, including business responsibility to respect human rights and children's human right to a healthy environment. The partnership with UNEP has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales of relevance to ocean plastics. University of Strathclyde, Nelson Mandela University, University of Namibia, University of Cape Coast and University of the West Indies are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while DUT and Rhodes are providing expertise in environmental justice scholarship and sociology. NMU and Cape Coast University are also providing expertise in cultural heritage and gender, from a sociological and anthropological perspective. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. This collaboration is providing new insights into the alignment of findings and recommendations across human rights, natural and social sciences to ensure equity in the prevention and management of ocean plastics. In 2022, the University of Cape Coast supported indirectly communities in Ghana in expressing their concerns about the impacts of ocean plastics by developing a video that was shared during the UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility. This has been particularly timely as the UN Environment Assembly has launched the negotiations of a new treaty on the life cycle of plastics. The collaboration brought notable policy and societal impacts as Hub's research, experience and practices are integrated into UNEP's InforMEA courses on array of topics including SDG 14, Marine Litter Outcomes, and gender and the environment, and six info-sheets on ocean plastics. Material for these InforMEA courses primarily drawn from existing UN sources (in particular the 2006 UNEP Training Manual, as updated, and GEO 6), compiled and edited by UNEP and the One Ocean Hub at Strathclyde University, and with inputs from a number of Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (see: https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance). Courses and info-sheets are used on the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions, used by law makers, policy professionals, and academics, particularly in DAC countries. Courses and info-sheets produced through this collaboration have served as negotiators' toolkit that provide comprehensive knowledge base to help them to understand and navigate multilateral environmental negotiations and meetings. These include negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, that will be completed by the end of 2024 (https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution). |
| Impact | The outputs include: 1. InforMEA course on SDG 14 - completed and launched in 2022, https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance 2. Toolkit on marine litter (as an expansion of an existing toolkit on ocean plastics) - completed and launched in 2022, https://leap.unep.org/en/knowledge/toolkits/plastic 3. InforMEA course on Marine Litter Outcomes - completed and launched in 2022 https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/marine-litter-and-plastic-pollution-course; 4. Six info-sheets on ocean plastics have been published on the Hub website in 2022, 2 were published in 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-7-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ and https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ ); and 2 additional ones will be published in 2024; and 5. InforMEA course on gender and the environment - completed in 2022 and published in 2023. https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-gender-and-environment; Overall, UNEP provided further funding for the collaboration with the One Ocean Hub (174,000 USD). Blog posts: • New UN E-learning Course on Gender and the Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-un-e-learning-course-on-gender-and-the-environment/. • Partnering with UNEP with UNEP on SDG 14, marine litter, and environmental justice, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-unep-on-sdg-14-marine-litter-and-environmental-justice/ • Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics, 30 August 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Engaging with UNEP on ocean plastics, environmental justice, and human rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/engaging-on-ocean-plastics-environmental-justice-and-human-rights/ • Providing considerations for the next phase of the Plastic Treaty negotiations, https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Integrating the ocean and human rights in global capacity-building tools on environmental law |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Department | Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC) |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In 2021 the University of Strathclyde carried out a consultancy contract for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which has been a Hub Project Partner from the start, to deliver a package of knowledge products to enhance the content of the UNEP-led InforMEA E-learning platform and systemically link it with the Law and Environment Assistance Platform. InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Hub's contribution connected different sectors of international law on SDG 14, as well as connected human rights and the protection of the marine environment, with regard to all the SDG 14 targets, as well as specific issues related to marine litter. Based on the innovative nature of the new content, the Hub was invited to present on marine litter and human rights at two international events: • Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021; and • UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility on 17 February 2022. In 2022, UNEP expanded the consultancy and invited the Hub to develop also a new e-learning course on gender and the environment, which was launched in early 2023. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing partnerships that include various organisations based in the Global South and the Global North that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisation based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya |
| Collaborator Contribution | Over the past 10 years, UN Environment has supported the InforMEA Initiative to improve coherence in the area of information and knowledge sharing in support of effective implementation of multilateral environmental agreements. The current phase of the InforMEA project seeks to support collective intelligence approaches to International Environmental Governance overall, which includes the enhancement of its unique learning platform and the development of services on the connected Law and Environment Assistance Platform. This included legislative toolkits and in particular the legislative toolkit on plastic pollution which covers single use plastic and increasingly marine litter legislation and policy. UNEP is providing finance to support the development of the content enhancement led by Strathclyde, in line with the Hub's mission to connect different norms for integrated and inclusive ocean management (notably human rights and the marine environment, as well as health, trade, freshwaters, climate change). As lead partners in the One Ocean Hub, Strathclyde coordinated with expertise across the Hub research network, to deliver: 1. a Learning Course on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. This course surveys the full range of SDG 14 targets and how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) contribute to their achievement, including marine pollution, marine ecosystem management, ocean acidification, fishing, marine protected areas, fishing subsidies, SIDS and the sustainable use of marine resources, research and technology transfer, small-scale fisheries, and ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law. The Hub connected each target with relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between SDG 14 and other SDGs. In particular, the Hub also integrated specific section on children's human rights to a healthy environment, thereby supporting connections within UNEP on separate streams of work on children's human rights and SDGs. 2. Expansion of the Plastics toolkit to cover key aspects of marine litter. This work built on a draft plastics toolkit on the Law and Environment Assistance platform and complemented it with broader considerations about marine litter such as marine litter-related legislation, policy and case-studies to inform law-makers of best practices and different approaches. To this end, original content was compiled, and integrated in the most intuitive manner to inform legislative work and policymakers when tackling marine litter. Hub researchers from each focus country in Africa and the Caribbean different disciplines and countries are developing in 2022 national case studies to be integrated in the toolkit. 3. a Learning Course on Marine Litter Building on the outcomes of activity 2, this course focused in greater depth, and beyond just MEAs, on one subset of land-based marine pollution: marine litter. The course surveyed the issue, and looks at the international legal and policy framework, as well as regulatory approaches within national legislation. The course has a strong focus on plastic pollution as an especially important global concern within marine litter. The Hub ensured mainstreaming of relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between marine litter and other SDGs. 4. a series of awareness-raising materials on the interlinkages between environmental justice and marine litter to highlight how plastic pollution hinders the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and how the entire lifecycle of plastics -from source extraction to waste- disproportionately affects marginalized communities around the world. This output has been expanded in 2022 to include two new fact-sheets on women's human rights and ocean plastics, and on informal waste-pickers' human rights and ocean plastics (which will be published online in 2024). 5. An e-learning course on gender and the environment, which analyzed legal and policy developments across international agreements in the areas of terrestrial biodiversity, freshwater, climate change, chemicals, and the ocean on gender equality. The Hub is supporting engagement with global scholarship on environmental justice, notably from the Global South, and providing case studies from its focus countries, as well as analysis of the current international law developments at the intersection of human rights and the safe management of plastics, including business responsibility to respect human rights and children's human right to a healthy environment. The partnership with UNEP has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales of relevance to ocean plastics. University of Strathclyde, Nelson Mandela University, University of Namibia, University of Cape Coast and University of the West Indies are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while DUT and Rhodes are providing expertise in environmental justice scholarship and sociology. NMU and Cape Coast University are also providing expertise in cultural heritage and gender, from a sociological and anthropological perspective. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. This collaboration is providing new insights into the alignment of findings and recommendations across human rights, natural and social sciences to ensure equity in the prevention and management of ocean plastics. In 2022, the University of Cape Coast supported indirectly communities in Ghana in expressing their concerns about the impacts of ocean plastics by developing a video that was shared during the UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility. This has been particularly timely as the UN Environment Assembly has launched the negotiations of a new treaty on the life cycle of plastics. The collaboration brought notable policy and societal impacts as Hub's research, experience and practices are integrated into UNEP's InforMEA courses on array of topics including SDG 14, Marine Litter Outcomes, and gender and the environment, and six info-sheets on ocean plastics. Material for these InforMEA courses primarily drawn from existing UN sources (in particular the 2006 UNEP Training Manual, as updated, and GEO 6), compiled and edited by UNEP and the One Ocean Hub at Strathclyde University, and with inputs from a number of Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (see: https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance). Courses and info-sheets are used on the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions, used by law makers, policy professionals, and academics, particularly in DAC countries. Courses and info-sheets produced through this collaboration have served as negotiators' toolkit that provide comprehensive knowledge base to help them to understand and navigate multilateral environmental negotiations and meetings. These include negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, that will be completed by the end of 2024 (https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution). |
| Impact | The outputs include: 1. InforMEA course on SDG 14 - completed and launched in 2022, https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance 2. Toolkit on marine litter (as an expansion of an existing toolkit on ocean plastics) - completed and launched in 2022, https://leap.unep.org/en/knowledge/toolkits/plastic 3. InforMEA course on Marine Litter Outcomes - completed and launched in 2022 https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/marine-litter-and-plastic-pollution-course; 4. Six info-sheets on ocean plastics have been published on the Hub website in 2022, 2 were published in 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-7-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ and https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ ); and 2 additional ones will be published in 2024; and 5. InforMEA course on gender and the environment - completed in 2022 and published in 2023. https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-gender-and-environment; Overall, UNEP provided further funding for the collaboration with the One Ocean Hub (174,000 USD). Blog posts: • New UN E-learning Course on Gender and the Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-un-e-learning-course-on-gender-and-the-environment/. • Partnering with UNEP with UNEP on SDG 14, marine litter, and environmental justice, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-unep-on-sdg-14-marine-litter-and-environmental-justice/ • Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics, 30 August 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Engaging with UNEP on ocean plastics, environmental justice, and human rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/engaging-on-ocean-plastics-environmental-justice-and-human-rights/ • Providing considerations for the next phase of the Plastic Treaty negotiations, https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Integrating the ocean and human rights in global capacity-building tools on environmental law |
| Organisation | Scottish Association For Marine Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In 2021 the University of Strathclyde carried out a consultancy contract for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which has been a Hub Project Partner from the start, to deliver a package of knowledge products to enhance the content of the UNEP-led InforMEA E-learning platform and systemically link it with the Law and Environment Assistance Platform. InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Hub's contribution connected different sectors of international law on SDG 14, as well as connected human rights and the protection of the marine environment, with regard to all the SDG 14 targets, as well as specific issues related to marine litter. Based on the innovative nature of the new content, the Hub was invited to present on marine litter and human rights at two international events: • Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021; and • UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility on 17 February 2022. In 2022, UNEP expanded the consultancy and invited the Hub to develop also a new e-learning course on gender and the environment, which was launched in early 2023. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing partnerships that include various organisations based in the Global South and the Global North that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisation based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya |
| Collaborator Contribution | Over the past 10 years, UN Environment has supported the InforMEA Initiative to improve coherence in the area of information and knowledge sharing in support of effective implementation of multilateral environmental agreements. The current phase of the InforMEA project seeks to support collective intelligence approaches to International Environmental Governance overall, which includes the enhancement of its unique learning platform and the development of services on the connected Law and Environment Assistance Platform. This included legislative toolkits and in particular the legislative toolkit on plastic pollution which covers single use plastic and increasingly marine litter legislation and policy. UNEP is providing finance to support the development of the content enhancement led by Strathclyde, in line with the Hub's mission to connect different norms for integrated and inclusive ocean management (notably human rights and the marine environment, as well as health, trade, freshwaters, climate change). As lead partners in the One Ocean Hub, Strathclyde coordinated with expertise across the Hub research network, to deliver: 1. a Learning Course on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. This course surveys the full range of SDG 14 targets and how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) contribute to their achievement, including marine pollution, marine ecosystem management, ocean acidification, fishing, marine protected areas, fishing subsidies, SIDS and the sustainable use of marine resources, research and technology transfer, small-scale fisheries, and ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law. The Hub connected each target with relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between SDG 14 and other SDGs. In particular, the Hub also integrated specific section on children's human rights to a healthy environment, thereby supporting connections within UNEP on separate streams of work on children's human rights and SDGs. 2. Expansion of the Plastics toolkit to cover key aspects of marine litter. This work built on a draft plastics toolkit on the Law and Environment Assistance platform and complemented it with broader considerations about marine litter such as marine litter-related legislation, policy and case-studies to inform law-makers of best practices and different approaches. To this end, original content was compiled, and integrated in the most intuitive manner to inform legislative work and policymakers when tackling marine litter. Hub researchers from each focus country in Africa and the Caribbean different disciplines and countries are developing in 2022 national case studies to be integrated in the toolkit. 3. a Learning Course on Marine Litter Building on the outcomes of activity 2, this course focused in greater depth, and beyond just MEAs, on one subset of land-based marine pollution: marine litter. The course surveyed the issue, and looks at the international legal and policy framework, as well as regulatory approaches within national legislation. The course has a strong focus on plastic pollution as an especially important global concern within marine litter. The Hub ensured mainstreaming of relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between marine litter and other SDGs. 4. a series of awareness-raising materials on the interlinkages between environmental justice and marine litter to highlight how plastic pollution hinders the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and how the entire lifecycle of plastics -from source extraction to waste- disproportionately affects marginalized communities around the world. This output has been expanded in 2022 to include two new fact-sheets on women's human rights and ocean plastics, and on informal waste-pickers' human rights and ocean plastics (which will be published online in 2024). 5. An e-learning course on gender and the environment, which analyzed legal and policy developments across international agreements in the areas of terrestrial biodiversity, freshwater, climate change, chemicals, and the ocean on gender equality. The Hub is supporting engagement with global scholarship on environmental justice, notably from the Global South, and providing case studies from its focus countries, as well as analysis of the current international law developments at the intersection of human rights and the safe management of plastics, including business responsibility to respect human rights and children's human right to a healthy environment. The partnership with UNEP has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales of relevance to ocean plastics. University of Strathclyde, Nelson Mandela University, University of Namibia, University of Cape Coast and University of the West Indies are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while DUT and Rhodes are providing expertise in environmental justice scholarship and sociology. NMU and Cape Coast University are also providing expertise in cultural heritage and gender, from a sociological and anthropological perspective. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. This collaboration is providing new insights into the alignment of findings and recommendations across human rights, natural and social sciences to ensure equity in the prevention and management of ocean plastics. In 2022, the University of Cape Coast supported indirectly communities in Ghana in expressing their concerns about the impacts of ocean plastics by developing a video that was shared during the UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility. This has been particularly timely as the UN Environment Assembly has launched the negotiations of a new treaty on the life cycle of plastics. The collaboration brought notable policy and societal impacts as Hub's research, experience and practices are integrated into UNEP's InforMEA courses on array of topics including SDG 14, Marine Litter Outcomes, and gender and the environment, and six info-sheets on ocean plastics. Material for these InforMEA courses primarily drawn from existing UN sources (in particular the 2006 UNEP Training Manual, as updated, and GEO 6), compiled and edited by UNEP and the One Ocean Hub at Strathclyde University, and with inputs from a number of Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (see: https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance). Courses and info-sheets are used on the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions, used by law makers, policy professionals, and academics, particularly in DAC countries. Courses and info-sheets produced through this collaboration have served as negotiators' toolkit that provide comprehensive knowledge base to help them to understand and navigate multilateral environmental negotiations and meetings. These include negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, that will be completed by the end of 2024 (https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution). |
| Impact | The outputs include: 1. InforMEA course on SDG 14 - completed and launched in 2022, https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance 2. Toolkit on marine litter (as an expansion of an existing toolkit on ocean plastics) - completed and launched in 2022, https://leap.unep.org/en/knowledge/toolkits/plastic 3. InforMEA course on Marine Litter Outcomes - completed and launched in 2022 https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/marine-litter-and-plastic-pollution-course; 4. Six info-sheets on ocean plastics have been published on the Hub website in 2022, 2 were published in 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-7-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ and https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ ); and 2 additional ones will be published in 2024; and 5. InforMEA course on gender and the environment - completed in 2022 and published in 2023. https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-gender-and-environment; Overall, UNEP provided further funding for the collaboration with the One Ocean Hub (174,000 USD). Blog posts: • New UN E-learning Course on Gender and the Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-un-e-learning-course-on-gender-and-the-environment/. • Partnering with UNEP with UNEP on SDG 14, marine litter, and environmental justice, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-unep-on-sdg-14-marine-litter-and-environmental-justice/ • Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics, 30 August 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Engaging with UNEP on ocean plastics, environmental justice, and human rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/engaging-on-ocean-plastics-environmental-justice-and-human-rights/ • Providing considerations for the next phase of the Plastic Treaty negotiations, https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Integrating the ocean and human rights in global capacity-building tools on environmental law |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | In 2021 the University of Strathclyde carried out a consultancy contract for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which has been a Hub Project Partner from the start, to deliver a package of knowledge products to enhance the content of the UNEP-led InforMEA E-learning platform and systemically link it with the Law and Environment Assistance Platform. InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Hub's contribution connected different sectors of international law on SDG 14, as well as connected human rights and the protection of the marine environment, with regard to all the SDG 14 targets, as well as specific issues related to marine litter. Based on the innovative nature of the new content, the Hub was invited to present on marine litter and human rights at two international events: • Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021; and • UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility on 17 February 2022. In 2022, UNEP expanded the consultancy and invited the Hub to develop also a new e-learning course on gender and the environment, which was launched in early 2023. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing partnerships that include various organisations based in the Global South and the Global North that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisation based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya |
| Collaborator Contribution | Over the past 10 years, UN Environment has supported the InforMEA Initiative to improve coherence in the area of information and knowledge sharing in support of effective implementation of multilateral environmental agreements. The current phase of the InforMEA project seeks to support collective intelligence approaches to International Environmental Governance overall, which includes the enhancement of its unique learning platform and the development of services on the connected Law and Environment Assistance Platform. This included legislative toolkits and in particular the legislative toolkit on plastic pollution which covers single use plastic and increasingly marine litter legislation and policy. UNEP is providing finance to support the development of the content enhancement led by Strathclyde, in line with the Hub's mission to connect different norms for integrated and inclusive ocean management (notably human rights and the marine environment, as well as health, trade, freshwaters, climate change). As lead partners in the One Ocean Hub, Strathclyde coordinated with expertise across the Hub research network, to deliver: 1. a Learning Course on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. This course surveys the full range of SDG 14 targets and how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) contribute to their achievement, including marine pollution, marine ecosystem management, ocean acidification, fishing, marine protected areas, fishing subsidies, SIDS and the sustainable use of marine resources, research and technology transfer, small-scale fisheries, and ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law. The Hub connected each target with relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between SDG 14 and other SDGs. In particular, the Hub also integrated specific section on children's human rights to a healthy environment, thereby supporting connections within UNEP on separate streams of work on children's human rights and SDGs. 2. Expansion of the Plastics toolkit to cover key aspects of marine litter. This work built on a draft plastics toolkit on the Law and Environment Assistance platform and complemented it with broader considerations about marine litter such as marine litter-related legislation, policy and case-studies to inform law-makers of best practices and different approaches. To this end, original content was compiled, and integrated in the most intuitive manner to inform legislative work and policymakers when tackling marine litter. Hub researchers from each focus country in Africa and the Caribbean different disciplines and countries are developing in 2022 national case studies to be integrated in the toolkit. 3. a Learning Course on Marine Litter Building on the outcomes of activity 2, this course focused in greater depth, and beyond just MEAs, on one subset of land-based marine pollution: marine litter. The course surveyed the issue, and looks at the international legal and policy framework, as well as regulatory approaches within national legislation. The course has a strong focus on plastic pollution as an especially important global concern within marine litter. The Hub ensured mainstreaming of relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between marine litter and other SDGs. 4. a series of awareness-raising materials on the interlinkages between environmental justice and marine litter to highlight how plastic pollution hinders the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and how the entire lifecycle of plastics -from source extraction to waste- disproportionately affects marginalized communities around the world. This output has been expanded in 2022 to include two new fact-sheets on women's human rights and ocean plastics, and on informal waste-pickers' human rights and ocean plastics (which will be published online in 2024). 5. An e-learning course on gender and the environment, which analyzed legal and policy developments across international agreements in the areas of terrestrial biodiversity, freshwater, climate change, chemicals, and the ocean on gender equality. The Hub is supporting engagement with global scholarship on environmental justice, notably from the Global South, and providing case studies from its focus countries, as well as analysis of the current international law developments at the intersection of human rights and the safe management of plastics, including business responsibility to respect human rights and children's human right to a healthy environment. The partnership with UNEP has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales of relevance to ocean plastics. University of Strathclyde, Nelson Mandela University, University of Namibia, University of Cape Coast and University of the West Indies are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while DUT and Rhodes are providing expertise in environmental justice scholarship and sociology. NMU and Cape Coast University are also providing expertise in cultural heritage and gender, from a sociological and anthropological perspective. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. This collaboration is providing new insights into the alignment of findings and recommendations across human rights, natural and social sciences to ensure equity in the prevention and management of ocean plastics. In 2022, the University of Cape Coast supported indirectly communities in Ghana in expressing their concerns about the impacts of ocean plastics by developing a video that was shared during the UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility. This has been particularly timely as the UN Environment Assembly has launched the negotiations of a new treaty on the life cycle of plastics. The collaboration brought notable policy and societal impacts as Hub's research, experience and practices are integrated into UNEP's InforMEA courses on array of topics including SDG 14, Marine Litter Outcomes, and gender and the environment, and six info-sheets on ocean plastics. Material for these InforMEA courses primarily drawn from existing UN sources (in particular the 2006 UNEP Training Manual, as updated, and GEO 6), compiled and edited by UNEP and the One Ocean Hub at Strathclyde University, and with inputs from a number of Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (see: https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance). Courses and info-sheets are used on the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions, used by law makers, policy professionals, and academics, particularly in DAC countries. Courses and info-sheets produced through this collaboration have served as negotiators' toolkit that provide comprehensive knowledge base to help them to understand and navigate multilateral environmental negotiations and meetings. These include negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, that will be completed by the end of 2024 (https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution). |
| Impact | The outputs include: 1. InforMEA course on SDG 14 - completed and launched in 2022, https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance 2. Toolkit on marine litter (as an expansion of an existing toolkit on ocean plastics) - completed and launched in 2022, https://leap.unep.org/en/knowledge/toolkits/plastic 3. InforMEA course on Marine Litter Outcomes - completed and launched in 2022 https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/marine-litter-and-plastic-pollution-course; 4. Six info-sheets on ocean plastics have been published on the Hub website in 2022, 2 were published in 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-7-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ and https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ ); and 2 additional ones will be published in 2024; and 5. InforMEA course on gender and the environment - completed in 2022 and published in 2023. https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-gender-and-environment; Overall, UNEP provided further funding for the collaboration with the One Ocean Hub (174,000 USD). Blog posts: • New UN E-learning Course on Gender and the Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-un-e-learning-course-on-gender-and-the-environment/. • Partnering with UNEP with UNEP on SDG 14, marine litter, and environmental justice, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-unep-on-sdg-14-marine-litter-and-environmental-justice/ • Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics, 30 August 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Engaging with UNEP on ocean plastics, environmental justice, and human rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/engaging-on-ocean-plastics-environmental-justice-and-human-rights/ • Providing considerations for the next phase of the Plastic Treaty negotiations, https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Integrating the ocean and human rights in global capacity-building tools on environmental law |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In 2021 the University of Strathclyde carried out a consultancy contract for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which has been a Hub Project Partner from the start, to deliver a package of knowledge products to enhance the content of the UNEP-led InforMEA E-learning platform and systemically link it with the Law and Environment Assistance Platform. InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Hub's contribution connected different sectors of international law on SDG 14, as well as connected human rights and the protection of the marine environment, with regard to all the SDG 14 targets, as well as specific issues related to marine litter. Based on the innovative nature of the new content, the Hub was invited to present on marine litter and human rights at two international events: • Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021; and • UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility on 17 February 2022. In 2022, UNEP expanded the consultancy and invited the Hub to develop also a new e-learning course on gender and the environment, which was launched in early 2023. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing partnerships that include various organisations based in the Global South and the Global North that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisation based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya |
| Collaborator Contribution | Over the past 10 years, UN Environment has supported the InforMEA Initiative to improve coherence in the area of information and knowledge sharing in support of effective implementation of multilateral environmental agreements. The current phase of the InforMEA project seeks to support collective intelligence approaches to International Environmental Governance overall, which includes the enhancement of its unique learning platform and the development of services on the connected Law and Environment Assistance Platform. This included legislative toolkits and in particular the legislative toolkit on plastic pollution which covers single use plastic and increasingly marine litter legislation and policy. UNEP is providing finance to support the development of the content enhancement led by Strathclyde, in line with the Hub's mission to connect different norms for integrated and inclusive ocean management (notably human rights and the marine environment, as well as health, trade, freshwaters, climate change). As lead partners in the One Ocean Hub, Strathclyde coordinated with expertise across the Hub research network, to deliver: 1. a Learning Course on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. This course surveys the full range of SDG 14 targets and how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) contribute to their achievement, including marine pollution, marine ecosystem management, ocean acidification, fishing, marine protected areas, fishing subsidies, SIDS and the sustainable use of marine resources, research and technology transfer, small-scale fisheries, and ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law. The Hub connected each target with relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between SDG 14 and other SDGs. In particular, the Hub also integrated specific section on children's human rights to a healthy environment, thereby supporting connections within UNEP on separate streams of work on children's human rights and SDGs. 2. Expansion of the Plastics toolkit to cover key aspects of marine litter. This work built on a draft plastics toolkit on the Law and Environment Assistance platform and complemented it with broader considerations about marine litter such as marine litter-related legislation, policy and case-studies to inform law-makers of best practices and different approaches. To this end, original content was compiled, and integrated in the most intuitive manner to inform legislative work and policymakers when tackling marine litter. Hub researchers from each focus country in Africa and the Caribbean different disciplines and countries are developing in 2022 national case studies to be integrated in the toolkit. 3. a Learning Course on Marine Litter Building on the outcomes of activity 2, this course focused in greater depth, and beyond just MEAs, on one subset of land-based marine pollution: marine litter. The course surveyed the issue, and looks at the international legal and policy framework, as well as regulatory approaches within national legislation. The course has a strong focus on plastic pollution as an especially important global concern within marine litter. The Hub ensured mainstreaming of relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between marine litter and other SDGs. 4. a series of awareness-raising materials on the interlinkages between environmental justice and marine litter to highlight how plastic pollution hinders the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and how the entire lifecycle of plastics -from source extraction to waste- disproportionately affects marginalized communities around the world. This output has been expanded in 2022 to include two new fact-sheets on women's human rights and ocean plastics, and on informal waste-pickers' human rights and ocean plastics (which will be published online in 2024). 5. An e-learning course on gender and the environment, which analyzed legal and policy developments across international agreements in the areas of terrestrial biodiversity, freshwater, climate change, chemicals, and the ocean on gender equality. The Hub is supporting engagement with global scholarship on environmental justice, notably from the Global South, and providing case studies from its focus countries, as well as analysis of the current international law developments at the intersection of human rights and the safe management of plastics, including business responsibility to respect human rights and children's human right to a healthy environment. The partnership with UNEP has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales of relevance to ocean plastics. University of Strathclyde, Nelson Mandela University, University of Namibia, University of Cape Coast and University of the West Indies are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while DUT and Rhodes are providing expertise in environmental justice scholarship and sociology. NMU and Cape Coast University are also providing expertise in cultural heritage and gender, from a sociological and anthropological perspective. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. This collaboration is providing new insights into the alignment of findings and recommendations across human rights, natural and social sciences to ensure equity in the prevention and management of ocean plastics. In 2022, the University of Cape Coast supported indirectly communities in Ghana in expressing their concerns about the impacts of ocean plastics by developing a video that was shared during the UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility. This has been particularly timely as the UN Environment Assembly has launched the negotiations of a new treaty on the life cycle of plastics. The collaboration brought notable policy and societal impacts as Hub's research, experience and practices are integrated into UNEP's InforMEA courses on array of topics including SDG 14, Marine Litter Outcomes, and gender and the environment, and six info-sheets on ocean plastics. Material for these InforMEA courses primarily drawn from existing UN sources (in particular the 2006 UNEP Training Manual, as updated, and GEO 6), compiled and edited by UNEP and the One Ocean Hub at Strathclyde University, and with inputs from a number of Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (see: https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance). Courses and info-sheets are used on the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions, used by law makers, policy professionals, and academics, particularly in DAC countries. Courses and info-sheets produced through this collaboration have served as negotiators' toolkit that provide comprehensive knowledge base to help them to understand and navigate multilateral environmental negotiations and meetings. These include negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, that will be completed by the end of 2024 (https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution). |
| Impact | The outputs include: 1. InforMEA course on SDG 14 - completed and launched in 2022, https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance 2. Toolkit on marine litter (as an expansion of an existing toolkit on ocean plastics) - completed and launched in 2022, https://leap.unep.org/en/knowledge/toolkits/plastic 3. InforMEA course on Marine Litter Outcomes - completed and launched in 2022 https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/marine-litter-and-plastic-pollution-course; 4. Six info-sheets on ocean plastics have been published on the Hub website in 2022, 2 were published in 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-7-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ and https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ ); and 2 additional ones will be published in 2024; and 5. InforMEA course on gender and the environment - completed in 2022 and published in 2023. https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-gender-and-environment; Overall, UNEP provided further funding for the collaboration with the One Ocean Hub (174,000 USD). Blog posts: • New UN E-learning Course on Gender and the Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-un-e-learning-course-on-gender-and-the-environment/. • Partnering with UNEP with UNEP on SDG 14, marine litter, and environmental justice, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-unep-on-sdg-14-marine-litter-and-environmental-justice/ • Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics, 30 August 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Engaging with UNEP on ocean plastics, environmental justice, and human rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/engaging-on-ocean-plastics-environmental-justice-and-human-rights/ • Providing considerations for the next phase of the Plastic Treaty negotiations, https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Integrating the ocean and human rights in global capacity-building tools on environmental law |
| Organisation | University of Namibia |
| Country | Namibia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In 2021 the University of Strathclyde carried out a consultancy contract for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which has been a Hub Project Partner from the start, to deliver a package of knowledge products to enhance the content of the UNEP-led InforMEA E-learning platform and systemically link it with the Law and Environment Assistance Platform. InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Hub's contribution connected different sectors of international law on SDG 14, as well as connected human rights and the protection of the marine environment, with regard to all the SDG 14 targets, as well as specific issues related to marine litter. Based on the innovative nature of the new content, the Hub was invited to present on marine litter and human rights at two international events: • Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021; and • UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility on 17 February 2022. In 2022, UNEP expanded the consultancy and invited the Hub to develop also a new e-learning course on gender and the environment, which was launched in early 2023. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing partnerships that include various organisations based in the Global South and the Global North that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisation based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya |
| Collaborator Contribution | Over the past 10 years, UN Environment has supported the InforMEA Initiative to improve coherence in the area of information and knowledge sharing in support of effective implementation of multilateral environmental agreements. The current phase of the InforMEA project seeks to support collective intelligence approaches to International Environmental Governance overall, which includes the enhancement of its unique learning platform and the development of services on the connected Law and Environment Assistance Platform. This included legislative toolkits and in particular the legislative toolkit on plastic pollution which covers single use plastic and increasingly marine litter legislation and policy. UNEP is providing finance to support the development of the content enhancement led by Strathclyde, in line with the Hub's mission to connect different norms for integrated and inclusive ocean management (notably human rights and the marine environment, as well as health, trade, freshwaters, climate change). As lead partners in the One Ocean Hub, Strathclyde coordinated with expertise across the Hub research network, to deliver: 1. a Learning Course on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. This course surveys the full range of SDG 14 targets and how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) contribute to their achievement, including marine pollution, marine ecosystem management, ocean acidification, fishing, marine protected areas, fishing subsidies, SIDS and the sustainable use of marine resources, research and technology transfer, small-scale fisheries, and ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law. The Hub connected each target with relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between SDG 14 and other SDGs. In particular, the Hub also integrated specific section on children's human rights to a healthy environment, thereby supporting connections within UNEP on separate streams of work on children's human rights and SDGs. 2. Expansion of the Plastics toolkit to cover key aspects of marine litter. This work built on a draft plastics toolkit on the Law and Environment Assistance platform and complemented it with broader considerations about marine litter such as marine litter-related legislation, policy and case-studies to inform law-makers of best practices and different approaches. To this end, original content was compiled, and integrated in the most intuitive manner to inform legislative work and policymakers when tackling marine litter. Hub researchers from each focus country in Africa and the Caribbean different disciplines and countries are developing in 2022 national case studies to be integrated in the toolkit. 3. a Learning Course on Marine Litter Building on the outcomes of activity 2, this course focused in greater depth, and beyond just MEAs, on one subset of land-based marine pollution: marine litter. The course surveyed the issue, and looks at the international legal and policy framework, as well as regulatory approaches within national legislation. The course has a strong focus on plastic pollution as an especially important global concern within marine litter. The Hub ensured mainstreaming of relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between marine litter and other SDGs. 4. a series of awareness-raising materials on the interlinkages between environmental justice and marine litter to highlight how plastic pollution hinders the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and how the entire lifecycle of plastics -from source extraction to waste- disproportionately affects marginalized communities around the world. This output has been expanded in 2022 to include two new fact-sheets on women's human rights and ocean plastics, and on informal waste-pickers' human rights and ocean plastics (which will be published online in 2024). 5. An e-learning course on gender and the environment, which analyzed legal and policy developments across international agreements in the areas of terrestrial biodiversity, freshwater, climate change, chemicals, and the ocean on gender equality. The Hub is supporting engagement with global scholarship on environmental justice, notably from the Global South, and providing case studies from its focus countries, as well as analysis of the current international law developments at the intersection of human rights and the safe management of plastics, including business responsibility to respect human rights and children's human right to a healthy environment. The partnership with UNEP has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales of relevance to ocean plastics. University of Strathclyde, Nelson Mandela University, University of Namibia, University of Cape Coast and University of the West Indies are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while DUT and Rhodes are providing expertise in environmental justice scholarship and sociology. NMU and Cape Coast University are also providing expertise in cultural heritage and gender, from a sociological and anthropological perspective. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. This collaboration is providing new insights into the alignment of findings and recommendations across human rights, natural and social sciences to ensure equity in the prevention and management of ocean plastics. In 2022, the University of Cape Coast supported indirectly communities in Ghana in expressing their concerns about the impacts of ocean plastics by developing a video that was shared during the UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility. This has been particularly timely as the UN Environment Assembly has launched the negotiations of a new treaty on the life cycle of plastics. The collaboration brought notable policy and societal impacts as Hub's research, experience and practices are integrated into UNEP's InforMEA courses on array of topics including SDG 14, Marine Litter Outcomes, and gender and the environment, and six info-sheets on ocean plastics. Material for these InforMEA courses primarily drawn from existing UN sources (in particular the 2006 UNEP Training Manual, as updated, and GEO 6), compiled and edited by UNEP and the One Ocean Hub at Strathclyde University, and with inputs from a number of Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (see: https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance). Courses and info-sheets are used on the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions, used by law makers, policy professionals, and academics, particularly in DAC countries. Courses and info-sheets produced through this collaboration have served as negotiators' toolkit that provide comprehensive knowledge base to help them to understand and navigate multilateral environmental negotiations and meetings. These include negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, that will be completed by the end of 2024 (https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution). |
| Impact | The outputs include: 1. InforMEA course on SDG 14 - completed and launched in 2022, https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance 2. Toolkit on marine litter (as an expansion of an existing toolkit on ocean plastics) - completed and launched in 2022, https://leap.unep.org/en/knowledge/toolkits/plastic 3. InforMEA course on Marine Litter Outcomes - completed and launched in 2022 https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/marine-litter-and-plastic-pollution-course; 4. Six info-sheets on ocean plastics have been published on the Hub website in 2022, 2 were published in 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-7-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ and https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ ); and 2 additional ones will be published in 2024; and 5. InforMEA course on gender and the environment - completed in 2022 and published in 2023. https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-gender-and-environment; Overall, UNEP provided further funding for the collaboration with the One Ocean Hub (174,000 USD). Blog posts: • New UN E-learning Course on Gender and the Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-un-e-learning-course-on-gender-and-the-environment/. • Partnering with UNEP with UNEP on SDG 14, marine litter, and environmental justice, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-unep-on-sdg-14-marine-litter-and-environmental-justice/ • Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics, 30 August 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Engaging with UNEP on ocean plastics, environmental justice, and human rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/engaging-on-ocean-plastics-environmental-justice-and-human-rights/ • Providing considerations for the next phase of the Plastic Treaty negotiations, https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Integrating the ocean and human rights in global capacity-building tools on environmental law |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In 2021 the University of Strathclyde carried out a consultancy contract for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which has been a Hub Project Partner from the start, to deliver a package of knowledge products to enhance the content of the UNEP-led InforMEA E-learning platform and systemically link it with the Law and Environment Assistance Platform. InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Hub's contribution connected different sectors of international law on SDG 14, as well as connected human rights and the protection of the marine environment, with regard to all the SDG 14 targets, as well as specific issues related to marine litter. Based on the innovative nature of the new content, the Hub was invited to present on marine litter and human rights at two international events: • Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021; and • UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility on 17 February 2022. In 2022, UNEP expanded the consultancy and invited the Hub to develop also a new e-learning course on gender and the environment, which was launched in early 2023. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing partnerships that include various organisations based in the Global South and the Global North that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisation based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya |
| Collaborator Contribution | Over the past 10 years, UN Environment has supported the InforMEA Initiative to improve coherence in the area of information and knowledge sharing in support of effective implementation of multilateral environmental agreements. The current phase of the InforMEA project seeks to support collective intelligence approaches to International Environmental Governance overall, which includes the enhancement of its unique learning platform and the development of services on the connected Law and Environment Assistance Platform. This included legislative toolkits and in particular the legislative toolkit on plastic pollution which covers single use plastic and increasingly marine litter legislation and policy. UNEP is providing finance to support the development of the content enhancement led by Strathclyde, in line with the Hub's mission to connect different norms for integrated and inclusive ocean management (notably human rights and the marine environment, as well as health, trade, freshwaters, climate change). As lead partners in the One Ocean Hub, Strathclyde coordinated with expertise across the Hub research network, to deliver: 1. a Learning Course on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. This course surveys the full range of SDG 14 targets and how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) contribute to their achievement, including marine pollution, marine ecosystem management, ocean acidification, fishing, marine protected areas, fishing subsidies, SIDS and the sustainable use of marine resources, research and technology transfer, small-scale fisheries, and ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law. The Hub connected each target with relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between SDG 14 and other SDGs. In particular, the Hub also integrated specific section on children's human rights to a healthy environment, thereby supporting connections within UNEP on separate streams of work on children's human rights and SDGs. 2. Expansion of the Plastics toolkit to cover key aspects of marine litter. This work built on a draft plastics toolkit on the Law and Environment Assistance platform and complemented it with broader considerations about marine litter such as marine litter-related legislation, policy and case-studies to inform law-makers of best practices and different approaches. To this end, original content was compiled, and integrated in the most intuitive manner to inform legislative work and policymakers when tackling marine litter. Hub researchers from each focus country in Africa and the Caribbean different disciplines and countries are developing in 2022 national case studies to be integrated in the toolkit. 3. a Learning Course on Marine Litter Building on the outcomes of activity 2, this course focused in greater depth, and beyond just MEAs, on one subset of land-based marine pollution: marine litter. The course surveyed the issue, and looks at the international legal and policy framework, as well as regulatory approaches within national legislation. The course has a strong focus on plastic pollution as an especially important global concern within marine litter. The Hub ensured mainstreaming of relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between marine litter and other SDGs. 4. a series of awareness-raising materials on the interlinkages between environmental justice and marine litter to highlight how plastic pollution hinders the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and how the entire lifecycle of plastics -from source extraction to waste- disproportionately affects marginalized communities around the world. This output has been expanded in 2022 to include two new fact-sheets on women's human rights and ocean plastics, and on informal waste-pickers' human rights and ocean plastics (which will be published online in 2024). 5. An e-learning course on gender and the environment, which analyzed legal and policy developments across international agreements in the areas of terrestrial biodiversity, freshwater, climate change, chemicals, and the ocean on gender equality. The Hub is supporting engagement with global scholarship on environmental justice, notably from the Global South, and providing case studies from its focus countries, as well as analysis of the current international law developments at the intersection of human rights and the safe management of plastics, including business responsibility to respect human rights and children's human right to a healthy environment. The partnership with UNEP has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales of relevance to ocean plastics. University of Strathclyde, Nelson Mandela University, University of Namibia, University of Cape Coast and University of the West Indies are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while DUT and Rhodes are providing expertise in environmental justice scholarship and sociology. NMU and Cape Coast University are also providing expertise in cultural heritage and gender, from a sociological and anthropological perspective. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. This collaboration is providing new insights into the alignment of findings and recommendations across human rights, natural and social sciences to ensure equity in the prevention and management of ocean plastics. In 2022, the University of Cape Coast supported indirectly communities in Ghana in expressing their concerns about the impacts of ocean plastics by developing a video that was shared during the UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility. This has been particularly timely as the UN Environment Assembly has launched the negotiations of a new treaty on the life cycle of plastics. The collaboration brought notable policy and societal impacts as Hub's research, experience and practices are integrated into UNEP's InforMEA courses on array of topics including SDG 14, Marine Litter Outcomes, and gender and the environment, and six info-sheets on ocean plastics. Material for these InforMEA courses primarily drawn from existing UN sources (in particular the 2006 UNEP Training Manual, as updated, and GEO 6), compiled and edited by UNEP and the One Ocean Hub at Strathclyde University, and with inputs from a number of Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (see: https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance). Courses and info-sheets are used on the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions, used by law makers, policy professionals, and academics, particularly in DAC countries. Courses and info-sheets produced through this collaboration have served as negotiators' toolkit that provide comprehensive knowledge base to help them to understand and navigate multilateral environmental negotiations and meetings. These include negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, that will be completed by the end of 2024 (https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution). |
| Impact | The outputs include: 1. InforMEA course on SDG 14 - completed and launched in 2022, https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance 2. Toolkit on marine litter (as an expansion of an existing toolkit on ocean plastics) - completed and launched in 2022, https://leap.unep.org/en/knowledge/toolkits/plastic 3. InforMEA course on Marine Litter Outcomes - completed and launched in 2022 https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/marine-litter-and-plastic-pollution-course; 4. Six info-sheets on ocean plastics have been published on the Hub website in 2022, 2 were published in 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-7-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ and https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ ); and 2 additional ones will be published in 2024; and 5. InforMEA course on gender and the environment - completed in 2022 and published in 2023. https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-gender-and-environment; Overall, UNEP provided further funding for the collaboration with the One Ocean Hub (174,000 USD). Blog posts: • New UN E-learning Course on Gender and the Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-un-e-learning-course-on-gender-and-the-environment/. • Partnering with UNEP with UNEP on SDG 14, marine litter, and environmental justice, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-unep-on-sdg-14-marine-litter-and-environmental-justice/ • Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics, 30 August 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Engaging with UNEP on ocean plastics, environmental justice, and human rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/engaging-on-ocean-plastics-environmental-justice-and-human-rights/ • Providing considerations for the next phase of the Plastic Treaty negotiations, https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Integrating the ocean and human rights in global capacity-building tools on environmental law |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In 2021 the University of Strathclyde carried out a consultancy contract for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which has been a Hub Project Partner from the start, to deliver a package of knowledge products to enhance the content of the UNEP-led InforMEA E-learning platform and systemically link it with the Law and Environment Assistance Platform. InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Hub's contribution connected different sectors of international law on SDG 14, as well as connected human rights and the protection of the marine environment, with regard to all the SDG 14 targets, as well as specific issues related to marine litter. Based on the innovative nature of the new content, the Hub was invited to present on marine litter and human rights at two international events: • Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021; and • UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility on 17 February 2022. In 2022, UNEP expanded the consultancy and invited the Hub to develop also a new e-learning course on gender and the environment, which was launched in early 2023. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing partnerships that include various organisations based in the Global South and the Global North that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisation based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya |
| Collaborator Contribution | Over the past 10 years, UN Environment has supported the InforMEA Initiative to improve coherence in the area of information and knowledge sharing in support of effective implementation of multilateral environmental agreements. The current phase of the InforMEA project seeks to support collective intelligence approaches to International Environmental Governance overall, which includes the enhancement of its unique learning platform and the development of services on the connected Law and Environment Assistance Platform. This included legislative toolkits and in particular the legislative toolkit on plastic pollution which covers single use plastic and increasingly marine litter legislation and policy. UNEP is providing finance to support the development of the content enhancement led by Strathclyde, in line with the Hub's mission to connect different norms for integrated and inclusive ocean management (notably human rights and the marine environment, as well as health, trade, freshwaters, climate change). As lead partners in the One Ocean Hub, Strathclyde coordinated with expertise across the Hub research network, to deliver: 1. a Learning Course on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. This course surveys the full range of SDG 14 targets and how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) contribute to their achievement, including marine pollution, marine ecosystem management, ocean acidification, fishing, marine protected areas, fishing subsidies, SIDS and the sustainable use of marine resources, research and technology transfer, small-scale fisheries, and ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law. The Hub connected each target with relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between SDG 14 and other SDGs. In particular, the Hub also integrated specific section on children's human rights to a healthy environment, thereby supporting connections within UNEP on separate streams of work on children's human rights and SDGs. 2. Expansion of the Plastics toolkit to cover key aspects of marine litter. This work built on a draft plastics toolkit on the Law and Environment Assistance platform and complemented it with broader considerations about marine litter such as marine litter-related legislation, policy and case-studies to inform law-makers of best practices and different approaches. To this end, original content was compiled, and integrated in the most intuitive manner to inform legislative work and policymakers when tackling marine litter. Hub researchers from each focus country in Africa and the Caribbean different disciplines and countries are developing in 2022 national case studies to be integrated in the toolkit. 3. a Learning Course on Marine Litter Building on the outcomes of activity 2, this course focused in greater depth, and beyond just MEAs, on one subset of land-based marine pollution: marine litter. The course surveyed the issue, and looks at the international legal and policy framework, as well as regulatory approaches within national legislation. The course has a strong focus on plastic pollution as an especially important global concern within marine litter. The Hub ensured mainstreaming of relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between marine litter and other SDGs. 4. a series of awareness-raising materials on the interlinkages between environmental justice and marine litter to highlight how plastic pollution hinders the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and how the entire lifecycle of plastics -from source extraction to waste- disproportionately affects marginalized communities around the world. This output has been expanded in 2022 to include two new fact-sheets on women's human rights and ocean plastics, and on informal waste-pickers' human rights and ocean plastics (which will be published online in 2024). 5. An e-learning course on gender and the environment, which analyzed legal and policy developments across international agreements in the areas of terrestrial biodiversity, freshwater, climate change, chemicals, and the ocean on gender equality. The Hub is supporting engagement with global scholarship on environmental justice, notably from the Global South, and providing case studies from its focus countries, as well as analysis of the current international law developments at the intersection of human rights and the safe management of plastics, including business responsibility to respect human rights and children's human right to a healthy environment. The partnership with UNEP has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales of relevance to ocean plastics. University of Strathclyde, Nelson Mandela University, University of Namibia, University of Cape Coast and University of the West Indies are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while DUT and Rhodes are providing expertise in environmental justice scholarship and sociology. NMU and Cape Coast University are also providing expertise in cultural heritage and gender, from a sociological and anthropological perspective. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. This collaboration is providing new insights into the alignment of findings and recommendations across human rights, natural and social sciences to ensure equity in the prevention and management of ocean plastics. In 2022, the University of Cape Coast supported indirectly communities in Ghana in expressing their concerns about the impacts of ocean plastics by developing a video that was shared during the UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility. This has been particularly timely as the UN Environment Assembly has launched the negotiations of a new treaty on the life cycle of plastics. The collaboration brought notable policy and societal impacts as Hub's research, experience and practices are integrated into UNEP's InforMEA courses on array of topics including SDG 14, Marine Litter Outcomes, and gender and the environment, and six info-sheets on ocean plastics. Material for these InforMEA courses primarily drawn from existing UN sources (in particular the 2006 UNEP Training Manual, as updated, and GEO 6), compiled and edited by UNEP and the One Ocean Hub at Strathclyde University, and with inputs from a number of Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (see: https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance). Courses and info-sheets are used on the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions, used by law makers, policy professionals, and academics, particularly in DAC countries. Courses and info-sheets produced through this collaboration have served as negotiators' toolkit that provide comprehensive knowledge base to help them to understand and navigate multilateral environmental negotiations and meetings. These include negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, that will be completed by the end of 2024 (https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution). |
| Impact | The outputs include: 1. InforMEA course on SDG 14 - completed and launched in 2022, https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance 2. Toolkit on marine litter (as an expansion of an existing toolkit on ocean plastics) - completed and launched in 2022, https://leap.unep.org/en/knowledge/toolkits/plastic 3. InforMEA course on Marine Litter Outcomes - completed and launched in 2022 https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/marine-litter-and-plastic-pollution-course; 4. Six info-sheets on ocean plastics have been published on the Hub website in 2022, 2 were published in 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-7-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ and https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ ); and 2 additional ones will be published in 2024; and 5. InforMEA course on gender and the environment - completed in 2022 and published in 2023. https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-gender-and-environment; Overall, UNEP provided further funding for the collaboration with the One Ocean Hub (174,000 USD). Blog posts: • New UN E-learning Course on Gender and the Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-un-e-learning-course-on-gender-and-the-environment/. • Partnering with UNEP with UNEP on SDG 14, marine litter, and environmental justice, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-unep-on-sdg-14-marine-litter-and-environmental-justice/ • Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics, 30 August 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Engaging with UNEP on ocean plastics, environmental justice, and human rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/engaging-on-ocean-plastics-environmental-justice-and-human-rights/ • Providing considerations for the next phase of the Plastic Treaty negotiations, https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Integrating the ocean and human rights in global capacity-building tools on environmental law |
| Organisation | University of the West Indies |
| Country | Barbados |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In 2021 the University of Strathclyde carried out a consultancy contract for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which has been a Hub Project Partner from the start, to deliver a package of knowledge products to enhance the content of the UNEP-led InforMEA E-learning platform and systemically link it with the Law and Environment Assistance Platform. InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Hub's contribution connected different sectors of international law on SDG 14, as well as connected human rights and the protection of the marine environment, with regard to all the SDG 14 targets, as well as specific issues related to marine litter. Based on the innovative nature of the new content, the Hub was invited to present on marine litter and human rights at two international events: • Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021; and • UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility on 17 February 2022. In 2022, UNEP expanded the consultancy and invited the Hub to develop also a new e-learning course on gender and the environment, which was launched in early 2023. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing partnerships that include various organisations based in the Global South and the Global North that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Namibia, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK; University of Plymouth, UK • partner organisation based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya |
| Collaborator Contribution | Over the past 10 years, UN Environment has supported the InforMEA Initiative to improve coherence in the area of information and knowledge sharing in support of effective implementation of multilateral environmental agreements. The current phase of the InforMEA project seeks to support collective intelligence approaches to International Environmental Governance overall, which includes the enhancement of its unique learning platform and the development of services on the connected Law and Environment Assistance Platform. This included legislative toolkits and in particular the legislative toolkit on plastic pollution which covers single use plastic and increasingly marine litter legislation and policy. UNEP is providing finance to support the development of the content enhancement led by Strathclyde, in line with the Hub's mission to connect different norms for integrated and inclusive ocean management (notably human rights and the marine environment, as well as health, trade, freshwaters, climate change). As lead partners in the One Ocean Hub, Strathclyde coordinated with expertise across the Hub research network, to deliver: 1. a Learning Course on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. This course surveys the full range of SDG 14 targets and how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) contribute to their achievement, including marine pollution, marine ecosystem management, ocean acidification, fishing, marine protected areas, fishing subsidies, SIDS and the sustainable use of marine resources, research and technology transfer, small-scale fisheries, and ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law. The Hub connected each target with relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between SDG 14 and other SDGs. In particular, the Hub also integrated specific section on children's human rights to a healthy environment, thereby supporting connections within UNEP on separate streams of work on children's human rights and SDGs. 2. Expansion of the Plastics toolkit to cover key aspects of marine litter. This work built on a draft plastics toolkit on the Law and Environment Assistance platform and complemented it with broader considerations about marine litter such as marine litter-related legislation, policy and case-studies to inform law-makers of best practices and different approaches. To this end, original content was compiled, and integrated in the most intuitive manner to inform legislative work and policymakers when tackling marine litter. Hub researchers from each focus country in Africa and the Caribbean different disciplines and countries are developing in 2022 national case studies to be integrated in the toolkit. 3. a Learning Course on Marine Litter Building on the outcomes of activity 2, this course focused in greater depth, and beyond just MEAs, on one subset of land-based marine pollution: marine litter. The course surveyed the issue, and looks at the international legal and policy framework, as well as regulatory approaches within national legislation. The course has a strong focus on plastic pollution as an especially important global concern within marine litter. The Hub ensured mainstreaming of relevant human rights issues, as well as governance issues related to human health, trade, freshwaters, and expand understanding of the connections between marine litter and other SDGs. 4. a series of awareness-raising materials on the interlinkages between environmental justice and marine litter to highlight how plastic pollution hinders the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and how the entire lifecycle of plastics -from source extraction to waste- disproportionately affects marginalized communities around the world. This output has been expanded in 2022 to include two new fact-sheets on women's human rights and ocean plastics, and on informal waste-pickers' human rights and ocean plastics (which will be published online in 2024). 5. An e-learning course on gender and the environment, which analyzed legal and policy developments across international agreements in the areas of terrestrial biodiversity, freshwater, climate change, chemicals, and the ocean on gender equality. The Hub is supporting engagement with global scholarship on environmental justice, notably from the Global South, and providing case studies from its focus countries, as well as analysis of the current international law developments at the intersection of human rights and the safe management of plastics, including business responsibility to respect human rights and children's human right to a healthy environment. The partnership with UNEP has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales of relevance to ocean plastics. University of Strathclyde, Nelson Mandela University, University of Namibia, University of Cape Coast and University of the West Indies are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while DUT and Rhodes are providing expertise in environmental justice scholarship and sociology. NMU and Cape Coast University are also providing expertise in cultural heritage and gender, from a sociological and anthropological perspective. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. This collaboration is providing new insights into the alignment of findings and recommendations across human rights, natural and social sciences to ensure equity in the prevention and management of ocean plastics. In 2022, the University of Cape Coast supported indirectly communities in Ghana in expressing their concerns about the impacts of ocean plastics by developing a video that was shared during the UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter's event on Environmental Justice, Digital Transformation and Accessibility. This has been particularly timely as the UN Environment Assembly has launched the negotiations of a new treaty on the life cycle of plastics. The collaboration brought notable policy and societal impacts as Hub's research, experience and practices are integrated into UNEP's InforMEA courses on array of topics including SDG 14, Marine Litter Outcomes, and gender and the environment, and six info-sheets on ocean plastics. Material for these InforMEA courses primarily drawn from existing UN sources (in particular the 2006 UNEP Training Manual, as updated, and GEO 6), compiled and edited by UNEP and the One Ocean Hub at Strathclyde University, and with inputs from a number of Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (see: https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance). Courses and info-sheets are used on the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions, used by law makers, policy professionals, and academics, particularly in DAC countries. Courses and info-sheets produced through this collaboration have served as negotiators' toolkit that provide comprehensive knowledge base to help them to understand and navigate multilateral environmental negotiations and meetings. These include negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, that will be completed by the end of 2024 (https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution). |
| Impact | The outputs include: 1. InforMEA course on SDG 14 - completed and launched in 2022, https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-sdg-14-and-ocean-governance 2. Toolkit on marine litter (as an expansion of an existing toolkit on ocean plastics) - completed and launched in 2022, https://leap.unep.org/en/knowledge/toolkits/plastic 3. InforMEA course on Marine Litter Outcomes - completed and launched in 2022 https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/marine-litter-and-plastic-pollution-course; 4. Six info-sheets on ocean plastics have been published on the Hub website in 2022, 2 were published in 2023 (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-7-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ and https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/infosheet-what-is-environmental-justice-understandings-from-the-global-south/ ); and 2 additional ones will be published in 2024; and 5. InforMEA course on gender and the environment - completed in 2022 and published in 2023. https://www.informea.org/en/content/learning-course/introductory-course-gender-and-environment; Overall, UNEP provided further funding for the collaboration with the One Ocean Hub (174,000 USD). Blog posts: • New UN E-learning Course on Gender and the Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/new-un-e-learning-course-on-gender-and-the-environment/. • Partnering with UNEP with UNEP on SDG 14, marine litter, and environmental justice, https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-unep-on-sdg-14-marine-litter-and-environmental-justice/ • Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics, 30 August 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Engaging with UNEP on ocean plastics, environmental justice, and human rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/engaging-on-ocean-plastics-environmental-justice-and-human-rights/ • Providing considerations for the next phase of the Plastic Treaty negotiations, https://oneoceanhub.org/providing-considerations-for-the-next-phase-of-the-plastics-treaty-negotiators/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | Lancaster University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | Queen's University |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | South African National Biodiversity Institute |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | The Nature Conservancy |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of Education, Winneba |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of Gothenburg |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of Johannesburg |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of Namibia |
| Country | Namibia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of Seychelles |
| Country | Seychelles |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of St Andrews |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of Washington |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of the South Pacific, Laucala |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Law, Local Needs, Heritage and the Blue Economy |
| Organisation | University of the West Indies |
| Country | Barbados |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research of One Ocean Hub has highlighted from the start the existing disconnect between international and national law on ocean protection, on the one hand, and local customs, needs and knowledge, on the other, in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana. Novel questions about insufficient attention to livelihoods, human rights and intangible cultural heritage in the context of various blue economy activities (offshore oil and gas developments, fisheries, bio-prospecting and seabed mining) have emerged, as well as questions about the degree of evidence of intangible cultural heritage that would stand in courts or in planning processes have been identified among the preliminary findings of social science researchers in Ghana and the Empatheatre methodology in South Africa. Modern laws on fisheries and other marine resources have been established without recourse to indigenous peoples' and small-scale fishers' customary practices, and often privilege large blue economy investments over small-scale livelihood practices, creating challenges in terms of poverty, employment, and environmental sustainability. Our research in 2020 confirmed the importance of linking research in international investment law with socio-legal research at the national level and local stakeholder engagement about the blue economy. Our research in 2021 integrated law, policy, economics, social and marine sciences to understand the causes of growing evidence of unsustainable and non-inclusive blue economy initiatives and how to ensure that these initiatives can instead respect the rights and knowledge and respond to the needs of indigenous peoples, poor coastal communities and small-scale fishers (SDG 14b). In late 2022, our evidence was explicitly cited in the report on sustainable development of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, in stating that "sustainable development cannot be separated from the recognition of individual and collective cultural rights, including spiritual and heritage rights" (UN Doc A/77/290, para 20), and noting the threats arising from blue economy projects in this connection (para 68). |
| Collaborator Contribution | IIED contributed initial research on international investment law, which underscored that "blue economy narratives" (blue economy policies and promotional activities) may restrict the opportunities for governments and judiciary to protect local communities' interests that may be negatively impacts by large-scale blue economy initiatives, because of international obligations to protect foreign investors. In 2020-2021, early-career researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth) brought together a an interdisciplinarity team involving 15 researchers, internal and external to the Hub. The collaboration includes the University of Plymouth, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Philippines, University of Johannesburg, Heriot Watt University, University College London, University of St Andrews, University of the South Pacific, University of Namibia, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Defence College of Nigeria, University of Strathclyde, University of Seychelles, University of the West Indies, University of St Andrews, University of Cape Town. They represented different disciplines (law, policy, ecology, sociology, economics, business, anthropology, fisheries sciences) and varying professional and personal experience from across the world. Through a collaborative, in-depth analysis of blue economy policies through 20 workshops, Niner facilitated discussion that allowed participants to reach consensus as to the nature of synergies and conflicts between blue economy policies and the SDGs (based on classification scale). This collaboration resulted in the first piece of research internationally on the blue economy that has included such a diverse set of disciplines and global representation. This paper (published in early 2022) is now facilitating new collaborations with Ocean Nexus (see 'Connecting Efforts on Equity in Ocean Science and Governance Internationally' under Collaborations) and on human rights (see 'Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights across Scales' under Collaborations). We are now connecting these findings with empirical assessments of the negative impacts of blue economy activities on cultural heritage at the national level. For instance, Nelson Mandela University demonstrated the history of continued marginalisation of the Khoi and San peoples, despite their deep connection with the ocean in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, by integrating primary/ethnographic sociological and anthropological research, historical archival research, critical analyses of visual representation in public exhibitions, and political analysis. We are also advancing understanding from a comparative basis across countries and regions through a separate collaboration among Nelson Mandela University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South African Environmental Observation Network, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and legal consultants, on Global Oceans Accounting Frameworks. Hub researchers from across sociology, history, literature, law, policy, anthropology and security studies in on a book project, Blue Heritages, Ocean Cultures and Histories accepted by Palgrave Macmillan (see 'Customary Law for the Ocean' under Collaborations). We are further exploring how these issues in blue economies can be prevented or addressed through marine spatial planning. To identify common research questions, the Algoa Bay team at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, organized an inter-disciplinarity "Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance" conference (January 2020), which included panel sessions hosted by community groups that had participated in the Hub's Empatheatre research (see 'Participatory Governance in South Africa' under Collaborations). On that basis, the Algoa Bay team brough together an inter-disciplinary team across Hub research institutions and external institutions to develop inter-disciplinary principles on transformative ocean governance that can help address the shortcomings identified in our research on blue economy, with a view to influencing decision-makers and practitioners in marine spatial planning and more general ocean policy and management. The collaboration includes: Nelson Mandela University; International Ocean Institute; The Nature Conservancy; Lancaster University; University of Washington; University of Education, Winneba; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity; Rhodes University, University of the Cape Coast; University of Strathclyde; University of Gothenburg; Vida Silvestre Uruguay; University College London; and Queen's University. This group has been using a series of questionnaires and scoring systems, desk-based analysis on areas of tensions and synergies across disciplines, and virtual workshops to discuss different wording and to build consensus across disciplines on the principles. This research is underpinned by social-ecological system theory and frameworks, particularly considering ecosystem services and people-in nature-approaches that had been started by the Algoa Bay team before joining the Hub, and has been expanded thanks to the Hub into anthropological and arts-based research (fine arts and photojournalism), and collaborations with UK researchers on international human rights, deep-sea ecology and ecological economics. In addition, the Algoa Bay team expanded interdisciplinary exchanges with South African, Ghanaian and UK scholars in sociology and law. The paper has been reviewed by Nature Sustainability and has been resubmitted to that journal in February 2023. |
| Impact | Publications • Niner, H., Barut, N.C., Baum, T. Diz, D., Lainez del Pozo, D., Laing, S., Lancaster, A.M.S.N, McQuaid, K., Mendo, T., Morgera, E., Nandini Maharaj, P., Okafor-Yarwood, I., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Warikandwa, T., Rees.S. Environmental Science & Policy Volume 130, April 2022, Pages 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.001. • Boswell, R. and Thornton, J. (2020). Including the Khoi-San for a more Inclusive Blue Economy in South Africa. Journal of Indian Ocean Region. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2021.1935523. • L Cotula and T Berger, "Blue Economy: Why We Should Talk about Investment Law" (IIED/One Ocean Hub 2020), https://pubs.iied.org/17746iied. Workshop and conference: • Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference, https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/News-and-Events/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governance-Co • Successful Flexible Fund Application by Early Career Researchers to plan and host a Culture and Intangible Heritage Workshop in Ghana in 2020, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ksa16jm6cq459v2e335u7p4a7u. • One Ocean Hub's MARE Conference panel: Exploring (and subverting) the appropriation of blue economy aspirations in June 2021. https://marecentre.nl/2021-conference/ Blogposts • Strategic research gaps for addressing complex trade offs in the blue economy, https://oneoceanhub.org/strategic-research-gaps-for-addressing-complex-trade-offs-in-the-blue-economy/. • The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review', https://oneoceanhub.org/the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review/ • Hub evidence relied upon by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-evidence-relied-upon-by-the-un-special-rapporteur-on-cultural-rights/. Written submission • Written Submission (integrating economics, ecology and governance) on International Seabed Authority's draft Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (January 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fo4ja9s0qn5bi685coh23fl09d. • Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5. • Submission (integrating economics, ecology, governance) to European Union's consultation on Horizon Europe candidate partnership 'A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda' (December 2020), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/rbj9jf7osjseel8edkca9qe65a. • The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights: Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development, 6-18 November 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf Disciplines: Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Economics, Marine Sciences. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | Ascension Island Government |
| Country | Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | Government of St Helena |
| Country | Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | Joint Nature Conservation Committee |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | South African National Biodiversity Institute |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The transdisciplinary framework of the One Ocean Hub to advance understanding of offshore marine biodiversity in the South-East Atlantic, one of the world's most poorly known ecosystems, has brought together scientists from different disciplines including biology, ecology, fluid dynamics, physics, and representatives of civil society organisations, and government officials from eight different countries including Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island since September 2019. Focusing on the human right to science through capacity building for deep-sea science in the South-East Atlantic, the Hub is strengthening the existing partnership and building new partnerships with research, civil society, and government organisations to advance knowledge of environmental changes on deep-sea biodiversity and develop new methods to assess impacts of multiple stressors on deep-water vulnerable habitat-forming species found in Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas. Under the Hub coordination, since 2019 the partnership has conducted efforts to ensure uptake of science by co-producing novel modelling methods to visualise and predict the distribution of species and habitats and of multiple threats to stimulate various management scenarios. Tools, knowledge and other outputs generated will build capacity and promote equitable data sharing. The Hub's contributions encompass the advancement of inter- and trans-disciplinarity through the integration of social sciences, law and arts, with a view to including cultural significance of deep-water ecosystems in our assessment of culturally significant areas (CSAs), ecosystem service determinations and elevating the voices of coastal communities and small-scale fishers on their connections to the open ocean and marine spaces beyond national jurisdiction. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK, University of Southampton, UK • partner organization in the Global North: Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), UK; Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK • partner organisations based in the Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Tristan da Cunha Government; Government of St Helena; Ascension Island Government The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include Hub's collaboration with the organisations listed below. • Partner organisations based in the Global South: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia; Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana; International Ocean Institute South Africa (South Africa); National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Uruguay); Administracion de Parques Nacionales (Argentina) • Partner organisations based in the Global North: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK; Global Ocean Forum, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The high-level objective of this partnership is to improve capacity development on deep-sea research and ecosystem mapping contributing to SDG14 Target 14.A 'Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health' and SDG13 Target 13.3 'Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change'. This partnership subverts current inequities in deep-sea science, by supporting partnerships and capacity building for deep-sea science in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), specifically Namibia and South Africa, to advance understanding of South-East Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to human well-being. The partnership fosters transdisciplinary approaches that will integrate different knowledge systems in ocean science, ensuring that the human right to science is available and beneficial to all. Working across scales and sectors for stakeholder involvement towards co-development of management will ensure solutions that are fit for purpose for use in LMIC countries. This collaboration involves a number of Hub research partners, including the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Expertise and relations that these organizations have established in countries bordering the South-East Atlantic contribute greatly in the co-development of research for mapping marine habitats in this area. The University of Plymouth led the development of an online, open access, taxonomic atlas for the South-East Atlantic region; a metadatabase of biological, environmental and human-use data for the region; regional habitat classification methods to support spatial management and a framework for understanding ecosystem services provided by the deep sea. They will continue their research moving to mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and considering provision of tools to support decision-making and implementation of area based management tools in ABNJ in light of the new BBNJ agreement. Edinburgh contributes to ecosystem services mapping and knowledge of offshore biodiversity by conducting research on cold-water coral reef growth and loss in a changing ocean, by developing reports of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) and generating data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss. NMU also: develops database and guidelines documents on integration of the evidence for marine spatial management; creates vector and raster layers of different inshore area uses; and in collaboration with SANBI, leads on research in vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in South African waters a. NMU is also leading in the development of data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use, and database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. Professor Lombard (NMU) has brought on collaborations with Argentina and Uruguay for cross-learning purposes. SANBI provides in kind support to the One Ocean Hub, through staff time to support information building for decision making (increasing taxonomic knowledge and capacity, improvements and regional alignment in ecosystem classification, bio regionalisation, the mapping of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, impact assessment, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area design and implementation ). Under this partnership, in collaboration with NMU, SANBI is producing standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and reports/papers and maps on regional spatial management for the deep-sea of South-East Atlantic. SANBI has worked across multiple projects to synergise findings across projects and develop joint recommendations. The Deep Connections video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I) was produced and shared at the Marine Spatial Planning working group to elevate the recognition of intangible heritage in spatial planning including for the deepsea. SANBI and NMU collaborated on the OOH Indlela Yokupila animation (led by Dylan McGarry at Rhodes) and have shared the animation and other information about ecosystems and their vulnerability to deep-sea mining at the Marine Regions Forum in Tanzania in a special session on deep-sea mining. The Hub has been endorsed as an official programme under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme. This is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. The University of Southampton is also supporting the partnership by providing knowledge exchange and partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, identifying "end-user arenas" for the Hub research programme on offshore biodiversity to be showcased at various Climate COP events. Under the Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers. They have also supported knowledge exchange by co-leading the Central and South Atlantic Regional Scientific Research Working Group under Challenger 150, which brings together researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to better coordinate research efforts. This group has produced a review of current scientific understanding, human impact, and relevant policy matters relating to the South Atlantic Ocean Basin. Because of the relevance of this research for climate change, the Hub partnered with the Global Ocean Forum to organize a series of events at the UN Climate Conference COP26 (November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland), to increase knowledge, commitment and action on the ocean-climate nexus. The Global Ocean Forum coordinated a COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion together with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative. Partner organisations also include the European Commission and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), and World Economic Forum, among others. The Hub organised two live events for the Pavilion on 1) strengthening the policy-science interface and collaboration among UN bodies; and 2) children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean and their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation. The Hub also organised two on-demand events for the Pavilion on 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' and on 'UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus' and an interview with negotiators. These and other content produced by the Hub for the Pavilion have remained available as online capacity-building tools well into the first quarter of 2022. The Global Ocean Forum then invited the Hub to contribute to the second phase of a project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility, on governance and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which aims to support the ongoing UN negotiations of a new legally binding instrument for marine biodiversity in ABNJ. The Hub committed co-financing in terms of in-kind (existing and ongoing) research and capacity-building activities on: • Human rights dimensions of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) • Valuation of ecosystem services of ABNJ • Needs for harmonized and inter-disciplinary approach to scientific and technical assessments in ABNJ, linked to a potential new scientific and technical body on BBNJ • Scope and approaches to strategic environmental assessments in ABNJ, including consideration of ecological connectivity and socio-cultural issues • Need for a harmonization approach to environmental impact assessments in ABNJ (comparability of data, quality control, inclusion of cultural and socio-economic data) • Fair and integrated approaches to capacity-building and technology transfer in ABNJ • Standards for responsible research and innovation in ABNJ, including in relation to marine genetic resources • Links between ABNJ and blue economy • Open access and bio-based research in ABNJ • Criteria and process for establishing and managing MPAs in an integrated and inclusive manner (ecological connectivity, global ecosystems, cultural and socio-economic considerations This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts. The success of this collaboration has been recognised through the Hub's deep-sea research ("One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4") endorsement as an official Decade Action under the UN Ocean Science Decade's Challenger 150 programme by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO. "One Ocean Hub Research Programme 4" is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, the Plymouth University of Plymouth, the University of Namibia, SANBI and NMU. It has strengthened capacity building in deep-sea research in Africa. Under the UN Decade of Ocean Science's Challenger 150 Programme, Hub researchers have supported deep-sea capacity development efforts through the establishment of an African Network of Deep-water Researchers that was established in 2023 (for detailed information read also collaboration titled "MARINE HABITAT MAPPING IN THE SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC"). Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid (SANBI, South Africa and the University of Plymouth, UK) led this development of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. Open to African nationals globally and individuals in African institutions, the Network encompasses all disciplines related to deep-water (beyond 30m depth, excluding scuba diving) and is open to all sectors. To date, the Network comprises over 250 members from 27 African nations, representing over 140 institutions. 76% of members are self-identified Early Career Researchers (<10 years professional experience, following the global UN ECOP Programme). This collaboration has also achieved societal impacts particularly in advancing human rights to science and gender equality through various capacity building sessions on deep-sea science that reached a total of 605 persons. On average, over 67 per cent of the participants of these events and capacity building sessions were women. This is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of women in this space and the need to work towards greater representation across the sector. The co-directors of the Hub's deep-sea research that lead this collaboration including, Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Dr Kerry Sink (SANBI, South Africa) are female scientists. Around 50 per cent of Hub researchers involved in deep-sea research are female from different career stages, senior academics, and early career researchers. The leadership of Dr Kirsty McQuaid in establishing the African Network of Deep-water Researchers is a testament to the collaboration's contribution in strengthening gender equality. |
| Impact | Publications Botha J.A, Cawthra, H.C; Lombard, A.T. Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Characterisation of seafloor substrate using advanced processing of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, and sidescan sonar in Table Bay, South Africa. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106332 Botha J.A, Kirkman, S.P., Arnould, J P., Lombard, A.T., Hofmeyr, G.J.G., Meyer, M.A., Kotze, P.G.H and Pistorius, P.A. (2020). Geographic variation in at-sea movements, habitat use and diving behaviour of female Cape fur seals. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13446 Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Amaro T, Atkinson L, Barnes DKA, Bax N, Bell JB, Bernardino AF, Beuck L, Braga-Henriques A, Brandt A, Bravo ME, Brix S, Butt S, Carranza A, Doti BL, Elegbede IO, Esquete P, Freiwald A, Gaudron SM, Guilhon M, Hebbeln D, Horton T, Kainge P, Kaiser S, Lauretta D, Limongi P, McQuaid KA, Milligan RJ, Miloslavich P, Narayanaswamy BE, Orejas C, Paulus S, Pearman TRR, Perez JA, Ross RE, Saeedi H, Shimabukuro M, Sink K, Stevenson A, Taylor M, Titschack J, Vieira RP, Vinha B & Wienberg C. 2023. Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy and Management. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 4. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003363873-5. La Bianca G, Rees S, Attrill MJ, Lombard AT, McQuaid KA, Niner HJ, van Rein H, Sink KJ & Howell, KL. 2023. A standardised ecosystem services framework for the deep sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1176230 McQuaid KA, Bridges AEH, Howell KL, Gandra TBR, de Souza V, Currie JC, Hogg OT, Pearman TRR, Bell JB, Atkinson LJ, Baum D, Bonetti J, Carranza A, Defeo O, Furey T, Gasalla MA, Golding N, Hampton SL, Horta S, Jones DOB, Lombard AT, Manca E, Marin Y, Martin S, Mortensen P, Passadore C, Piechaud N, Sink KJ & Yool A. 2023. Broad-scale benthic habitat classification of the South Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2023.103016. Morgera E, McQuaid K, La Bianca G, Niner H, Shannon L, Strand M, Rees S, Howell K, Snow B, Lancaster AMSN & Sauer W. 2023. Addressing the Ocean-Climate Nexus in the BBNJ Agreement: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Human Rights and Equity in Ocean Science. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10139. Niner HJ, Rees SE, La Bianca G, McQuaid KA & Howell KL. A risk assessment for the remote ocean: The case of the South East Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168686. Sink, K. J., Lombard, A. T., Attwood, C. G., Livingstone, T.-C., Grantham, H., & Holness, S. D. (2023). Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10-fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate. Conservation Letters, 16, e12954.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 Smit, K.P., Bernard, A.T.F., Lombard, A.T. and Sink, K.J. (2020). Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107148 Research findings and experience from this partnership were showcased at the following events or capacity building sessions: ? "Inclusive Ocean Conservation: Innovations in Marine Spatial Planning," organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP4LU8_4KK8&t=2s. This event was attended by 29 persons. ? "Wonders of the Deep", organized for the UN World Oceans Day 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is. This event was attended by 131 attendees. ? 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27th September 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s. This event was attended by 113 participants. ? COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event on SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening cooperation and collaboration among relevant UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change, 1st November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kEMOrIYswA. This event was attended by 158 attendees. ? A roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI. This event was attended by 34 attendees. ? Experts Panel: Exploring Law & Policy Strategies & Frameworks to Address Climate Related Ocean Change. Organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on the 5th November 2021 (hybrid event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBWauXPUb0. This event was attended by a total of 100 attendees. ? Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet (led by the Nippon Foundation), 16th November 2022, an in-person event at the Ocean Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. ? Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions (led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean), 17 November 2022, an in-person event at Ocean Pavilion, COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt. This event was attended by 20 attendees. Written evidence Submission on draft Standards and Guidelines for the implementation of the exploitation of the deep seabed (June 2021), https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dkl3s4rvbuc5foanvocrc37pb5?6 Submission on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 2024, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j6k23lhvtihd611a3847u8pbbs Blogposts and media pieces Niner H and McQuaid K. (2021). "Defining the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/defining-the-environmental-impact-assessment-process-for-deep-sea-mining/ Baker M, Ramirez-Llodra E and Tyler P. (2020). "Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/natural-capital-and-exploitation-of-the-deep-ocean/ One Ocean Hub. (2021). "Focus on: Deep Sea." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/focus-on-deep-sea/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/ Sink K, Pereira T, Sunde J and Morgera E. (2023). "Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ SANBI. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2 One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ Mbulaheni T. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA" published as part of the University of Cape Town news. Available from https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-sa Cape Times. (2023). "Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa."Available from https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 Forgus JJ, Sedick S and Lara Atkinson, Egagasini Node. (2023). "Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers." Available from https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-experience-for-south-africas-emerging-researchers/ SABC News "SA marine scientists to equip youngsters during offshore expedition" https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-marine-scientists-to-equip-youngsters-during-offshore-expedition/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (2023). "From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections." Available from https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-deep-ocean-connections/ One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Relaunching OOH podcast series: Ocean climate nexus and human." Available from rights: https://oneoceanhub.org/relaunching-our-podcast-series/ Hoareau et.al. (2021). "Reflections on the blue economy Massive Open Online Course series." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-blue-economy-massive-open-online-course-series/ Febrica S. (2021). "Showcasing the role of ocean research for climate adaptation." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/showcasing-the-role-of-ocean-research-for-climate-adaptation/ Morgera E and Lennan M. (2021). "COP26: What news for the ocean?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/cop26-what-news-for-the-ocean/ Febrica S (2021). "Strengthening cooperation among UN bodies in tackling ocean and climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-cooperation-among-un-bodies-in-tackling-ocean-and-climate-change/ Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing children and young people' rights to a healthy ocean in the context of climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/. Snow B. (2021). "Exploring Law, conflict, and mediation at the Ocean-Climate Nexus" https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-conflict-and-mediation-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "Promoting sustainable and just adaptation to climate change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/promoting-sustainable-and-just-adaptation-to-climate-change/ Lajaunie C and Mazzega P. (2021). "Connecting the one health approach to the ocean-climate nexus." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-the-one-health-approach-to-the-ocean-climate-nexus/ McKenzie K. (2021). "Climate change litigation at COP26: Why it may matter also for the climate-ocean nexus?" Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-litigation-at-cop26-why-may-it-matter-also-for-the-climate-ocean-nexus/ Febrica S. (2021). "One Ocean Hub supporting 'because the ocean' third declaration 2021." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-supporting-because-the-ocean-third-declaration-2021/ Febrica S and Merilainen L. (2021). "Poster exhibition on inclusive ocean governance for decisive climate action." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action/ Outputs in progress: • Standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) for the deep-sea Southeast Atlantic. Available from https://smartar-id.app/ • Map of marine habitats and decision support tools related to ecosystem services of marine habitats in Namibia. • Report of future integrity of key deep-sea habitats (cold-water corals) • Data on cold-water coral reef growth and loss to inform the taxonomic atlas and ecosystem mapping • Data and metadata: Algoa Bay inshore area uses and sensitivity to both climate change and human use. • Database to support integrated evidence base marine spatial planning. • Standardised images for taxonomy (for the database) from existing footage and report/paper and map on regional spatial management for the deep-sea SE Atlantic. • Report of the Challenger 150 Programme African Network of Deep-water Researchers on Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Deep-water Research in Africa. • Paper: Predicting spatial distribution of deep-sea biotopes in the South Atlantic UKOTs • Paper: Linking deep-sea habitats and ecosystem services to support management of the ocean • Paper: Mapping deep-sea ecosystem services Policy briefs • One Ocean Hub Policy brief: Integrated and inclusive ocean governance is essential to tackling climate change by Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde) here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrated-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-is-essential-to-tackling-climate-change/ • COP26 Universities Network Policy brief: Why the ocean matters in climate negotiations by Carol Turley Marie-Fanny Racault (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh) , Beth E. Scott (University of Aberdeen), Jonathan Sharples (University of Liverpool), Torsten Thiele (London School of Economics), Richard G. Williams (University of Liverpool), Phil Williamson, (University of East Anglia) here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf McQuaid K, Howell K, Rees S, Niner H, La Bianca G, Gjerde K & Morgera E. 2022. The need for strategic environmental assessments and regional environmental assessment in ABNJ for ecologically meaningful management. One Ocean Hub Policy Brief. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-the-need-for-strategic-environmental-assestements-and-regional-environmental-assessment-in-abnj-for-ecologically-meaningful-management/. Reports Adams L, Sink K, Dunga L, Shibe S. (2023). "Cruise report: One Ocean Hub capacity development cruise." Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/. Sink KJ, McQuaid K, Atkinson LJ, Palmer RM, Van der Heever G, Majiedt PA, Dunga LV, Currie JC, Adams R, Wahome M, Howell K & AW Patterson. 2021. Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa. South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa, 35pp. Available: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/challenges-and-solutions-to-develop-capacity-for-deep-sea-research-and-management-in-south-africa/. The Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021. https://rocainitiative.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/roca-progress-report-2020-2021.final_.pdf 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ijhn7mia9f1lsl5c5igu9lmp6i COY 16 side-event: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ghj8itericncmh6nkeco6tt3mq COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kpjt3pmmhae21m07f72c3pu1j6 COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/q92i3ou44bp1qbd6qmesc039k3 COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/4hf3nhaq3a69c8385juu2umvkn COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/repvsg46iu7o15q5h3832f0fq5 COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2b8mdqhe4ccs2clbvkchincr27 COP26: Combined Report https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kn6jl0okvrom9qsj5nr2nsqr1b Artistic output? "Deep Connections," available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fgANwAFm9I e-Learning: ? University of Seychelles Blue economy Massive Open Online Course series (https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3): Deep-sea Mining, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFnDpK02-Y Deep-sea Mining, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwvQXWAY-Gg; Marine Biotechnology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMu3kLIKUoI; Marine Biotechnology case study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0uw8Hm_eI; Natural capital and the blue economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YD3RUBlwFCE&feature ? Offshore renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgsRmEbng ? International Seabed Authority DeepDive Module 4 - Protection of the marine environment from activities carried out in the Area: https://www.isa.org.jm/deep-dive/ |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | MODELLING CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN MARINE SYSTEM AND FISHERIES |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Department | Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | As part of this collaboration, Hub researchers are developing ecosystem models and climate scenarios for fisheries in South Africa. Despite focussing the scope of the research on South Africa and the Southern Benguela marine ecosystem in particular, the collaborative goal of developping ecosystem models and climate scenarios for fisheries is a goal that can be replicated in other localities. The challenge posed by climate change to fisheries is a world-wide problem, not a problem exclusive to South Africa alone. The method used to develop the ecosystem models reported here, namely Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE), is replicable elsewhere. EwE is a modelling framework for analysing exploited marine ecosystems and is arguably the most used modelling framework to date, permitting exploration of past and present impacts of fishing and environmental changes on the trophic flows of a given food-web (Christensen and Walters, 2004). The community engagement and partnership design for this project is a model for transformative ocean-climate change research. The project adopted an inter-and trans-disciplinary research approach, working with experts from varied and relevant disciplines (marine science, social sciences, and law) and different stakeholders. One Ocean Hub played a central role in providing the transdiciplinary network that enabled and supported this research, coordinating researchers based in the UK and South Africa. The Hub also played an important role in facilitating engagement with international processes including UNFCCC Climate Change COP the UN Ocean Decade of Science, the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, and the UN World Ocean Day, to mention a few. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Town, Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, South Africa; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), South Africa; Cape Nature, South Africa; BirdLife South Africa, South African Squid Management Industrial Association, South Africa; South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association, South Africa. • Partner organisations based in Global North: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK). |
| Collaborator Contribution | There are three Hub partner organisations involved in the project. These include the University of Cape Town, Nelson Mandela, and Rhodes Universities. The University of Cape Town is leading in collecting and analysing data related to fisheries and the marine environment, developing ecosystem models (Ecopath with Ecosim, and Ecospace, as well as Atlantis) for the South Benguela system, in order to contribute to an understanding of climate change impacts on fisheries (this also contributes to the Algoa Bay marine spatial planning work with Nelson Mandela University). The University of Cape Town and Rhodes University are also involved directly in co-developing ecosystem models with stakeholders at local and national levels in South Africa focusing primarily on the main commercial fisheries sub-sectors, fisheries and environmental managers, and developing partnerships with regional organisations (e.g. the Benguela Current Commission). Nelson Mandela University (NMU) leads on the Algoa Bay Project which seeks to develop a pilot integrated marine spatial plan for the Algoa Bay area of South Africa. The One Ocean Hub & the University of Cape Town's work on understanding the impacts of climate change on fisheries contributes to this project. As part of this project, researchers are working closely with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), particularly the DFFE scientific Working groups on small pelagics and climate change and the DFFE managers. These stakeholders will use information and model predictions from the research project to implement the adaptation options and have been involved in model calibration and validation, co-identification of adaptation options and plans to implement adaptation options.. Researchers are working with various organisations across different fisheries sub-sectors. Fisheries organisations such as SAPFIA (South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association) that is working in small-scale pelagic fisheries (https://sapfia.org.za/small-pelagic-species/) are involved in the co-production of adaptation options. Fisheries organisations have participated in consultations/workshops to discuss the observed and predicted impacts of climate change on the fishery and to determine its vulnerability to climate change. During these meetings, previous modelling work on the impacts of climate change was also discussed. When the modelling work is finalised, a brief report with the modelling results of the predicted impacts of climate change on fisheries resources and the test of adaptation options will be developed. Researchers are also working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as BirdLife South Africa and WWF around penguin-small pelagic fish interactions and management of small pelagic fish and conservation of the endangered African penguin. In collaboration with the Triatlas project (https://triatlas.w.uib.no/), extensive model simulations have been undertaken using the Atlantis and EwE models of the Southern Benguela to contribute to the FishMIP international model Inter-comparison Programme's efforts to explore fisheries under historic and future climate projections (see Tittensor et al. 2018 available from here: https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-11-1421-2018, with regional analyses currently underway). This collaboration has brought positive significant policy impacts. As part of this collaboration Hub researchers are working closely with national and local stakeholders including the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), particularly the DFFE scientific working groups on small pelagics and climate change; the DFFE managers and community organisations across different fisheries sub-sectors such as the South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association (SAPFIA) working in small-scale pelagic fisheries (https://sapfia.org.za/small-pelagic-species/). Stakeholders are involved in model calibration and validation, co-identify adaptation options and plan to implement adaptation options since they are the ones who will use information and model predictions from the research to implement the adaptation options. Our study shows promise in improving the understanding of cumulative pressures in Algoa Bay including climate change, as well as the predicted impacts of climate change in the southern Benguela system using two different ecosystem models. This is important in reconciling knowledge needed to manage fisheries and to protect marine biodiversity by means of ecosystem-based management in South Africa, and to advance management advice under future scenarios of climate change (Shannon et.al 2020). The challenge posed by climate change to fisheries is a world-wide problem, not a problem exclusive to South Africa alone. The method used to develop ecosystem model, Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) is replicable elsewhere since it is a modeling framework for analysing exploited marine ecosystems as it allows the user to explore past and present impacts of fishing and environmental changes on the trophic flows of a given food-web (Christensen and Walters, 2004). EwE is the most used modelling framework to date. The community engagement and partnership design for this project is a model for a transformative ocean-climate change research that can be replicable elsewhere. The project adopts an inter-and trans-disciplinary research approach, we work with experts from varied and relevant disciplines (marine science, social sciences, and law) and different stakeholders. Significance of this research to policy and public services was recognised at the regional and international levels, through invited policy brief and presentations to the Nairobi Convention for the Western Indian Ocean (February 2021) and the Ocean Decade Predictable Ocean (September 2021). This collaboration has notable societal impacts. Ecosystems models and climate scenarios co-developed as part of this collaboration help government and fishing industry in South Africa to prepare for climate change and ultimately assist to prioritise resources to ensure the industry remains resilient or to find alternatives to diversify and remain viable. Several adaptation options have been proposed for the small-scale pelagics fishery by the right holders and the findings of this study hope to help with prioritising those adaptation options by identifying which elements are more at risk and need the highest attention. By doing so this project contributes to sustaining livelihoods for different local communities depending on small-scale pelagic fishery. It is also estimated that all the events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by over 500 attendees from diverse professions including representatives of governments, fishing industry, local communities, regional and international organisations. The collaboration also contributed to mainstreaming gender equality. This collaboration has been led by female researchers: Dr Lynne Shannon and Dr Kelly Ortega (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Across Hub's led awareness raising and capacity building events that were co-organised as part of this collaboration over 50 per cent of the panellists and attendees were women. |
| Impact | Significance has been recognised at the regional and international levels, through invited policy brief and presentations to the Nairobi Convention for the Western Indian Ocean (February 2021) and the Ocean Decade Predictable Ocean (September 2021). Reported under engagement. Peer-reviewed articles: Shannon, L.J., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Lamont, T., Winker, H., Crawford, R., Jarre, A. and Coll, M., 2020. Exploring temporal variability in the Southern Benguela ecosystem over the past four decades using a time-dynamic ecosystem model. Available from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00540/full. Ortega-Cisneros, K., Cochrane, K.L., Rivers, N. and Sauer, W.H., 2021. Assessing South Africa's potential to address climate change impacts and adaptation in the fisheries sector. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, p.648. Available from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.652955/full. Webinars: Morgera E, Snow B, Oduro G, Ansah J, Acheampong E, Roberts M, Shannon L, and Ortega-Cisneros K, Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience webinar, 27 September 2021, organised by One Ocean Hub for the UKRI Climate Adaptation and Resilience online series, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4. This event was attended by 113 persons. UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus organised by the One Ocean Hub for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (on demand event), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkprTGz425U&t=12s. This on demand event reached 87 viewers. Presentation at the Nairobi Convention for the Western Indian Ocean (February 2021). It is estimated that the event was attended by 100 persons. Presentation at the Ocean Decade Predictable Ocean (September 2021). It was estimated that the event was attended by 100 persons. Conference presentations: Kelly Ortega-Cisneros, Samantha Grusd, Lynne Shannon, Marta Coll, Jeroen Steenbeek. "Exploring potential impacts of climate change in the Southern Benguela using a model ensemble." Oral presentation in Session 8: Advances in coupling regional climate and social-ecological models to improve climate-ready ecosystem management of the Effects of Climate Change on the Worlds Oceans (ECCWO) conference held in Bergen, Norway in April 2023. Paper in final stages of preparation for publication. It was estimated that the event was attended by 100 persons. Paper in preparation: Lynne Shannon, Samantha Grusd, Kelly Ortega-Cisneros, Marta Coll, Jeroen Steenbeek. "Exploring past spatial ecosystem dynamics in the Southern Benguela." This research partnership has further contributed to ecosystem expertise and understanding to fisheries management deliberations that are ongoing in the government department around how to manage small pelagic fish in a changing and stressed environment and how to ensure other predators in the ecosystem have sufficient food. The ecosystem modelling work lead by Dr Lynne Shannon and Dr Kelly Ortega-Cisneros under the One Ocean Hub has been contributing to global initiatives looking at biodiversity, via expert working groups that have provided science-based assessments and inputs to e.g. the draft Global Biodiversity Framework (Convention on Biodiversity), IPBES (Natures Futures scenarios, for example), and spin-offs such as the specialised group looking at functional diversity and at high seas future scenarios (https://phys.org/news/2022-01-scientists-urge-quick-deep-halt.html; https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00110-w). By connecting to and inputs to the global biodiversity arena, ecosystem modelling for climate change work conducted under the Hub is helping to ensure marine aspects are not overlooked in the science-policy arena. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | MODELLING CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN MARINE SYSTEM AND FISHERIES |
| Organisation | World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | As part of this collaboration, Hub researchers are developing ecosystem models and climate scenarios for fisheries in South Africa. Despite focussing the scope of the research on South Africa and the Southern Benguela marine ecosystem in particular, the collaborative goal of developping ecosystem models and climate scenarios for fisheries is a goal that can be replicated in other localities. The challenge posed by climate change to fisheries is a world-wide problem, not a problem exclusive to South Africa alone. The method used to develop the ecosystem models reported here, namely Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE), is replicable elsewhere. EwE is a modelling framework for analysing exploited marine ecosystems and is arguably the most used modelling framework to date, permitting exploration of past and present impacts of fishing and environmental changes on the trophic flows of a given food-web (Christensen and Walters, 2004). The community engagement and partnership design for this project is a model for transformative ocean-climate change research. The project adopted an inter-and trans-disciplinary research approach, working with experts from varied and relevant disciplines (marine science, social sciences, and law) and different stakeholders. One Ocean Hub played a central role in providing the transdiciplinary network that enabled and supported this research, coordinating researchers based in the UK and South Africa. The Hub also played an important role in facilitating engagement with international processes including UNFCCC Climate Change COP the UN Ocean Decade of Science, the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, and the UN World Ocean Day, to mention a few. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Cape Town, Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, South Africa; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), South Africa; Cape Nature, South Africa; BirdLife South Africa, South African Squid Management Industrial Association, South Africa; South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association, South Africa. • Partner organisations based in Global North: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK). |
| Collaborator Contribution | There are three Hub partner organisations involved in the project. These include the University of Cape Town, Nelson Mandela, and Rhodes Universities. The University of Cape Town is leading in collecting and analysing data related to fisheries and the marine environment, developing ecosystem models (Ecopath with Ecosim, and Ecospace, as well as Atlantis) for the South Benguela system, in order to contribute to an understanding of climate change impacts on fisheries (this also contributes to the Algoa Bay marine spatial planning work with Nelson Mandela University). The University of Cape Town and Rhodes University are also involved directly in co-developing ecosystem models with stakeholders at local and national levels in South Africa focusing primarily on the main commercial fisheries sub-sectors, fisheries and environmental managers, and developing partnerships with regional organisations (e.g. the Benguela Current Commission). Nelson Mandela University (NMU) leads on the Algoa Bay Project which seeks to develop a pilot integrated marine spatial plan for the Algoa Bay area of South Africa. The One Ocean Hub & the University of Cape Town's work on understanding the impacts of climate change on fisheries contributes to this project. As part of this project, researchers are working closely with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), particularly the DFFE scientific Working groups on small pelagics and climate change and the DFFE managers. These stakeholders will use information and model predictions from the research project to implement the adaptation options and have been involved in model calibration and validation, co-identification of adaptation options and plans to implement adaptation options.. Researchers are working with various organisations across different fisheries sub-sectors. Fisheries organisations such as SAPFIA (South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association) that is working in small-scale pelagic fisheries (https://sapfia.org.za/small-pelagic-species/) are involved in the co-production of adaptation options. Fisheries organisations have participated in consultations/workshops to discuss the observed and predicted impacts of climate change on the fishery and to determine its vulnerability to climate change. During these meetings, previous modelling work on the impacts of climate change was also discussed. When the modelling work is finalised, a brief report with the modelling results of the predicted impacts of climate change on fisheries resources and the test of adaptation options will be developed. Researchers are also working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as BirdLife South Africa and WWF around penguin-small pelagic fish interactions and management of small pelagic fish and conservation of the endangered African penguin. In collaboration with the Triatlas project (https://triatlas.w.uib.no/), extensive model simulations have been undertaken using the Atlantis and EwE models of the Southern Benguela to contribute to the FishMIP international model Inter-comparison Programme's efforts to explore fisheries under historic and future climate projections (see Tittensor et al. 2018 available from here: https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-11-1421-2018, with regional analyses currently underway). This collaboration has brought positive significant policy impacts. As part of this collaboration Hub researchers are working closely with national and local stakeholders including the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), particularly the DFFE scientific working groups on small pelagics and climate change; the DFFE managers and community organisations across different fisheries sub-sectors such as the South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association (SAPFIA) working in small-scale pelagic fisheries (https://sapfia.org.za/small-pelagic-species/). Stakeholders are involved in model calibration and validation, co-identify adaptation options and plan to implement adaptation options since they are the ones who will use information and model predictions from the research to implement the adaptation options. Our study shows promise in improving the understanding of cumulative pressures in Algoa Bay including climate change, as well as the predicted impacts of climate change in the southern Benguela system using two different ecosystem models. This is important in reconciling knowledge needed to manage fisheries and to protect marine biodiversity by means of ecosystem-based management in South Africa, and to advance management advice under future scenarios of climate change (Shannon et.al 2020). The challenge posed by climate change to fisheries is a world-wide problem, not a problem exclusive to South Africa alone. The method used to develop ecosystem model, Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) is replicable elsewhere since it is a modeling framework for analysing exploited marine ecosystems as it allows the user to explore past and present impacts of fishing and environmental changes on the trophic flows of a given food-web (Christensen and Walters, 2004). EwE is the most used modelling framework to date. The community engagement and partnership design for this project is a model for a transformative ocean-climate change research that can be replicable elsewhere. The project adopts an inter-and trans-disciplinary research approach, we work with experts from varied and relevant disciplines (marine science, social sciences, and law) and different stakeholders. Significance of this research to policy and public services was recognised at the regional and international levels, through invited policy brief and presentations to the Nairobi Convention for the Western Indian Ocean (February 2021) and the Ocean Decade Predictable Ocean (September 2021). This collaboration has notable societal impacts. Ecosystems models and climate scenarios co-developed as part of this collaboration help government and fishing industry in South Africa to prepare for climate change and ultimately assist to prioritise resources to ensure the industry remains resilient or to find alternatives to diversify and remain viable. Several adaptation options have been proposed for the small-scale pelagics fishery by the right holders and the findings of this study hope to help with prioritising those adaptation options by identifying which elements are more at risk and need the highest attention. By doing so this project contributes to sustaining livelihoods for different local communities depending on small-scale pelagic fishery. It is also estimated that all the events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by over 500 attendees from diverse professions including representatives of governments, fishing industry, local communities, regional and international organisations. The collaboration also contributed to mainstreaming gender equality. This collaboration has been led by female researchers: Dr Lynne Shannon and Dr Kelly Ortega (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Across Hub's led awareness raising and capacity building events that were co-organised as part of this collaboration over 50 per cent of the panellists and attendees were women. |
| Impact | Significance has been recognised at the regional and international levels, through invited policy brief and presentations to the Nairobi Convention for the Western Indian Ocean (February 2021) and the Ocean Decade Predictable Ocean (September 2021). Reported under engagement. Peer-reviewed articles: Shannon, L.J., Ortega-Cisneros, K., Lamont, T., Winker, H., Crawford, R., Jarre, A. and Coll, M., 2020. Exploring temporal variability in the Southern Benguela ecosystem over the past four decades using a time-dynamic ecosystem model. Available from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00540/full. Ortega-Cisneros, K., Cochrane, K.L., Rivers, N. and Sauer, W.H., 2021. Assessing South Africa's potential to address climate change impacts and adaptation in the fisheries sector. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, p.648. Available from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.652955/full. Webinars: Morgera E, Snow B, Oduro G, Ansah J, Acheampong E, Roberts M, Shannon L, and Ortega-Cisneros K, Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience webinar, 27 September 2021, organised by One Ocean Hub for the UKRI Climate Adaptation and Resilience online series, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4. This event was attended by 113 persons. UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus organised by the One Ocean Hub for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (on demand event), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkprTGz425U&t=12s. This on demand event reached 87 viewers. Presentation at the Nairobi Convention for the Western Indian Ocean (February 2021). It is estimated that the event was attended by 100 persons. Presentation at the Ocean Decade Predictable Ocean (September 2021). It was estimated that the event was attended by 100 persons. Conference presentations: Kelly Ortega-Cisneros, Samantha Grusd, Lynne Shannon, Marta Coll, Jeroen Steenbeek. "Exploring potential impacts of climate change in the Southern Benguela using a model ensemble." Oral presentation in Session 8: Advances in coupling regional climate and social-ecological models to improve climate-ready ecosystem management of the Effects of Climate Change on the Worlds Oceans (ECCWO) conference held in Bergen, Norway in April 2023. Paper in final stages of preparation for publication. It was estimated that the event was attended by 100 persons. Paper in preparation: Lynne Shannon, Samantha Grusd, Kelly Ortega-Cisneros, Marta Coll, Jeroen Steenbeek. "Exploring past spatial ecosystem dynamics in the Southern Benguela." This research partnership has further contributed to ecosystem expertise and understanding to fisheries management deliberations that are ongoing in the government department around how to manage small pelagic fish in a changing and stressed environment and how to ensure other predators in the ecosystem have sufficient food. The ecosystem modelling work lead by Dr Lynne Shannon and Dr Kelly Ortega-Cisneros under the One Ocean Hub has been contributing to global initiatives looking at biodiversity, via expert working groups that have provided science-based assessments and inputs to e.g. the draft Global Biodiversity Framework (Convention on Biodiversity), IPBES (Natures Futures scenarios, for example), and spin-offs such as the specialised group looking at functional diversity and at high seas future scenarios (https://phys.org/news/2022-01-scientists-urge-quick-deep-halt.html; https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00110-w). By connecting to and inputs to the global biodiversity arena, ecosystem modelling for climate change work conducted under the Hub is helping to ensure marine aspects are not overlooked in the science-policy arena. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Marine Spatial Planning Methodological Tool Madagascar and Tanzania |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Hub researchers and WWF (Madagascar and Tanzania) have undertaken the development of a methodological tool, to support Madagascar and Tanzania in developing marine spatial plans, legal requirements, participatory approaches and understand capacities for successful implementation of MSP. The methodological tool was co-produced in each country with national government departments, civil society and NGOs. Tools were completed and endorsed by governments in Madagascar in December 2021 and for Tanzania in February 2022. |
| Collaborator Contribution | World Wide Fund (WWF) is an international civil society organisation that is leading in campaigning for governments around the world to pass specific and holistic legislation to address the many issues associated with the management of human activities affecting the marine environment that should include the designation of a nationally representative network of marine protected areas set within the context of MSP. WWF uses a participatory approach to develop comprehensive and visually appealing spatial data that will fill critical information gaps, and facilitate informed decision-making regarding marine management and protection. This participatory approach to marine decision-making is expected to increase the knowledge of the marine environment and related human uses of the marine environment amongst all participating stakeholders by allowing information to be available to everyone. Increased marine protection and strengthened governance through participatory spatial planning, targeted capacity building, and compelling data, will demonstrate that MSP can produce "win-win" outcomes that conserve biodiversity and enhance food security, protect livelihoods, and support socio-economic development compatible with ocean health. This approach aligns well with the Hub's approach in taking a system approach and using social-ecological lens to spatial planning. Since 2021, the University of Strathclyde and WWF have collaborated to develop a methodological tool to support marine spatial plans in Madagascar and Tanzania. The Hub's unique contribution is the inclusion of human rights, inter-disciplinarity and inclusive participation in the methodological tool. Drawing from the Hub research findings and experience, researchers from University of Strathclyde and WWF were working together in co-producing methodological tool together with government officials and representatives of civil society in Madagascar and Tanzania. The networks of WWF in Madagascar and Tanzania have helped to facilitate the partnership with national and local stakeholders that made the development of tool for marine spatial planning possible. The consultancy ended with the tool handed over to WWF, which has not yet been made public as it will go out for tender to complete further work. |
| Impact | Methodological Tool - not for public yet as will go out to tender for further work. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Marine Spatial Planning Methodological Tool Madagascar and Tanzania |
| Organisation | World Wide Fund for Nature |
| Department | Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean |
| Country | Madagascar |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Hub researchers and WWF (Madagascar and Tanzania) have undertaken the development of a methodological tool, to support Madagascar and Tanzania in developing marine spatial plans, legal requirements, participatory approaches and understand capacities for successful implementation of MSP. The methodological tool was co-produced in each country with national government departments, civil society and NGOs. Tools were completed and endorsed by governments in Madagascar in December 2021 and for Tanzania in February 2022. |
| Collaborator Contribution | World Wide Fund (WWF) is an international civil society organisation that is leading in campaigning for governments around the world to pass specific and holistic legislation to address the many issues associated with the management of human activities affecting the marine environment that should include the designation of a nationally representative network of marine protected areas set within the context of MSP. WWF uses a participatory approach to develop comprehensive and visually appealing spatial data that will fill critical information gaps, and facilitate informed decision-making regarding marine management and protection. This participatory approach to marine decision-making is expected to increase the knowledge of the marine environment and related human uses of the marine environment amongst all participating stakeholders by allowing information to be available to everyone. Increased marine protection and strengthened governance through participatory spatial planning, targeted capacity building, and compelling data, will demonstrate that MSP can produce "win-win" outcomes that conserve biodiversity and enhance food security, protect livelihoods, and support socio-economic development compatible with ocean health. This approach aligns well with the Hub's approach in taking a system approach and using social-ecological lens to spatial planning. Since 2021, the University of Strathclyde and WWF have collaborated to develop a methodological tool to support marine spatial plans in Madagascar and Tanzania. The Hub's unique contribution is the inclusion of human rights, inter-disciplinarity and inclusive participation in the methodological tool. Drawing from the Hub research findings and experience, researchers from University of Strathclyde and WWF were working together in co-producing methodological tool together with government officials and representatives of civil society in Madagascar and Tanzania. The networks of WWF in Madagascar and Tanzania have helped to facilitate the partnership with national and local stakeholders that made the development of tool for marine spatial planning possible. The consultancy ended with the tool handed over to WWF, which has not yet been made public as it will go out for tender to complete further work. |
| Impact | Methodological Tool - not for public yet as will go out to tender for further work. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Participatory Governance SOUTH AFRICA |
| Organisation | Durban University of Technology |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration explores alternative approaches to public participation in decision-making in environmental protection. Lack of meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making processes not only creates citizen apathy with respect to environmental responsibility but it also leads to low understanding of how these decisions impact livelihood activities. This collaboration develops methodologies for inclusive and participatory decision-making and also aims to include overlooked knowledge areas. Our preliminary research in South Africa has identified specific questions among coastal communities about how their needs can be included in the creation of marine protected areas, as well as how overall public participation can be ensured in Marine Protected Area management, as well as other policy processes in coastal and marine enviroments. These questions have informed further inter- and trans-disciplinary marine and social science research on the need and process for the designation of new marine protected areas in South Africa. The pilot Emphatheatre research sought to demonstrate what meaningful, robust participatory decision- making forums could and should look like, as a counter-process to the superficial 'tick-box' approach to public consultation that characterises many ocean governance processes in South Africa. Researchers are careful not to take a particular stand on whether developments/exploration/protection measures should go ahead or not - instead, we provide the forum for unheard interests to come to the fore. In 2020, a test case emerged from the pilot that led to a petition for review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) that approved exploratory deep-sea drilling offshore oil and gas licenses in South Africa. Through this activity we have been able to identify specific research questions about how local-level needs can be included in decision-making over extractives and the creation of marine protected areas. Namely, the integration of intangible cultural heritage, protection of livelihoods. In 2020, this partnership expanded to address: women's rights and livelihoods; community participation in the management of marine protected areas; strategic participation in the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan process, as well as supporting coastal communities' participation in challenging exclusive decision-making processes relating to UNESCO World Heritage Site governance. From 2020to 2023, Hub early career researcher, Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) worked with a group of women artisanal fishers, drawing on three years of collaboration through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) - a knowledge-action network of small-scale fishers, environmental justice organisations and Hub researchers. The women have long histories and local ecological knowledge of the ocean, linked to their seaweed harvesting practices that are currently being exploited, with little benefit coming back to them. This is particularly distressing, as South Africa is experiencing massive and unprecedented climate emergencies (flooding and droughts) and in this context women, who for generations have relied on the ocean as a rural safety net, and food security source (not to mention a site of spiritual and cultural sustenance), are now deeply threatened. All this makes their climate adaptation particularly difficult, and requires a sophisticated and strategic response and intervention. This co-designed study aims to build capacity, legal empowerment and meaningful climate adaptation strategies moving forward. The project entails a collaborative analysis to better protect the human rights of small-scale fisher women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa by: • identifying how to share fairly and equitably the benefits from seaweed harvesting; • clarifying the conditions for the protection also of their human right to a healthy ocean, livelihoods and culture; • advancing legal empowerment and supporting transformative dialogue with national and local ocean decision-makers through novel arts-based research approaches and decolonial historical analyses within local cooperative cultures; and • co-developing climate change adaptation strategies based on secure marine livelihoods. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-brings-hub-researcher-buhle-francis-to-the-uk-to-deepen-research-on-justice-gender-and-ocean-livelihoods/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/. Through this collaboration women in coastal communities were able to share their livelihoods concerns, related to not being able to carry out fisheries work (in fishing processing factories/industries, and buying and selling fish) and have access to the ocean because of the lockdown restrictions during COVID 19 pandemic, but also because traditionally their roles in the fishing value chain are often limited to post-harvest fishing work. Buhle facilitated a conversation among the two communities of women about a menu of possible complementary livelihood projects, with sewing emerging as a priority. They then collaborated on a project proposal submitted to the Hub's Flexible Fund, which allowed to mobilise two pilot projects in Gqeberha ("Women in the Sewing Project": 20 women that are part of the fishing cooperative and 6 women who are married to fishermen that are not part of the cooperatives) and Hamburg (Sophakama - "Let's raise" - sewing project; 22 women from an aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives). Eight sewing machines and an overlock were provided to each group, as well as capacity building. Keiskamma at Art Centre (which also created Our Sacred Ocean, a magnificent tapestry under the Hub's DEEP Fund project) partnered with both groups and provided the initial training (one training session was hosted at the Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training at Nelson Mandela University). To support the launch of these enterprises, the Environmental Learning and Research Centre of Rhodes University made a large order for cushions and cushion covers, as well as reusable sanitary pads, from both groups and hosted a training of trainers for four selected women in October 2022. Women in both groups have trained other women in their communities, and the two groups are also sharing skills with one another. Each group created a 7-member committee (with chairperson and deputy, treasurer and secretariat) and obtained registration as a legal entity (in the form of a cooperative), with a view to continuing the enterprise after the project and gaining access to government support moving forward. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education & Training, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK), UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa; Masifundise, South Africa; Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives, South Africa; The Beach Coop, South Africa; Save the West Coast, South Africa; The Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; WOMIN - Woman in Mining, South Africa; The Collective, South Africa; Green Connection, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa; Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa; Zingiza Educational Trust, South Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A series of meetings with local NGOs, community representatives and international NGOs provided an opportunity for One Ocean Hub Co-Is to learn about the law-related needs of the NGOs appealing the decision, as well as about the variety of legal arguments that could be explored in the appeal (NGO appellants focused on international climate change law and constitutional human rights law, for instance). One Ocean Hub researchers from a range of disciplines were requested to share their expertise with regards to the EIA's technical reports on fisheries impact marine ecology impact/heritage impact. International investment law experts from the OOH (IIED) discussed international investment law perspectives, which have implications at the national and local level. All Hub Co-Is who wished to do so, were invited to contribute to the appeal in their personal capacity. Through the work of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), Hub researchers have held a womxn's coastal justice workshop on 15 April 2021 with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). This has led the womxn to gain self-confidence, practice self-care, and support each other as they diversify and extend to other supplementary livelihood, a sewing project. The workshop created an environment where fisher womxn were able to make decisions independently for their benefit and society. This has contributed in strengthening their sense of identity as demonstrated by their decision to name themselves "Women In Sea Sewing Project (WISSP)". Womxn fishers have come up with their own bylaws (a mini-constitution) which guides them and have opened a bank account. The CJN also ran a series of regional workshops with small-scale fishers in different coastal provinces in South Africa. These regional workshops culminated into a national workshop that took place in October 2023. The CJN also supported SSF participation in the management of: a) Amathole MPA: In March-May 2021, Hub reseaerchers co-designed with South Africa's Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency a follow-up consultation with 6 SSF cooperative leaders (Siyaphambili, Benton on sea, Kiwane, Mlibo, KeiMout, and Siyazama Aquaculture cooperatives) from the Eastern Cape on a draft MPA management plan that had not included their views. This was an unprecedented move by a managing agency in South Africa, exceeding current legal requirements. The Network organised a planning workshop with SSF leaders (Hamburg, May 2021), using participatory mapping to make the draft MPA management plan available in the local language (isiXhosa). SSF leaders paced out draft MPA maps and zones across the hall, using their bodies and other items as reference points for landmarks and noticeable boundaries. This documented their questions and concerns about relevant sections of the official MPA management plan. At the follow-up meeting, authorities received the participatory mapping and detailed comments from community members, resulting in a public commitment to include SSF leaders and other community structures in the Amathole MPA co-management forum. b) Aliwal Shoal MPA: The Network supported the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in preparing responses to the Aliwal Shoal MPA Draft Management Plan and obtaining a dedicated meeting to address these concerns with DFFE and the MPA management authority (Ezimvelo). The Network supported the Forum with crafting an agenda in which SSF representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base (particularly around fish stock and species management - see Research Case 2). The meeting (June 2021) was facilitated by Hub researcher Erwin at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, DFFE and Ezimvelo committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. In addition, the partnership supported SSF access to squid markets. Implementation of squid catch allocations in South Africa have left SSF being unable to fish for squid for years, although their fishing practices are sustainable, ethical and socially responsible. Joining a long-standing campaign, the CJN supported fishers in responding to the latest appeal process. On 6th July 2021, the Government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. Acknowledging the CJN's support, a member of the Khoi San Fishing Cooperative remarked: "I can't thank One Ocean Hub and CJN enough for the part their played in our success and victory. They were very instrumental in our plea and argument with the department of fisheries and the counterarguments against Sasmia [South African Squid Management Industrial Association]." This collaboration is now seeking to influence the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan, notably to include environmental/climate change considerations in this process, and the representation of indigenous knowledge holders. In February 2022, a national workshop hosted by SDCEA aimed to develop a united strategy of improving participation in ocean governance, particularly around the Oil and Gas exploration in the OEMP. Hub researchers involved in the CJN were invited to contribute to develop the strategy with communities, CBOs and legal-aid NGOs, in how they are engaging national decision making processes. Community representatives specifically asked the Hub to contribute to the implementation of the strategy with: ocean literacy and legal empowerment support tools, and on-demand expert advice on marine ecology and fishery sciences around the impacts of oil and gas exploration and cumulative activities impact on fisheries - specifically Hake, snoek, squid, (and any other species used for food or livelihoods and the social dimensions of an ecosystems approach to marine governance. They also asked the Hub to continue to develop new research on ocean culture to support efforts for inclusion of SSFs' customary practices, rights and knowledge in national decision making; and to prepare accessible, short information pieces for fishers to draw out the links between fishers' own experiences of not being consulted and international law (which will be replied as part of the Hub's cooperation with FAO). In addition, a new transdisciplinary team (that includes legal-aid NGOs and other CBOs, Fisher leaders) emerged to work on various participatory efforts in four MPAs (IsiMangaliso, Aliwal Shoal, Amatola, Tsitsikamma, and St Helena Baai), along with other community-led conservation opportunities. From 2021 to 2023, Hub researchers in South Africa have been actively creating a range of innovative tools such as a database of mining applications (Sowman et al, 2023), counter-hegemonic mapping of marine protected area (Pereira et al 2021), theatre (UN World Oceans Day, 2023) and public storytelling (McGarry et al 2022), and guidelines on the protection of customary fishing rights (Sunde, forthcoming), to facilitate inclusion of small-scale fishers in ocean governance and provide accessible and transparent databases for small-scale fishers and their communities. These tools are reported separately under the "Methods and tools" section. , On 25-26 October 2023, the Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. The organisation of the workshop was led by Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman from University of Cape Town, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (UCT EGS), in collaboration with Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dylan McGarry from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Irna Senekal from Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training - (CIPSET), and Kira Erwin from Durban University of Technology (DUT). It built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023. This workshop was intended as a space to enable leaders to articulate a national position and speak with one voice on relevant aspects of these policy processes. There were 35 fisher participants present, from four coastal provinces of South Africa. There were also 20 civil society and researcher participants, from a range of organisations that work in support of small-scale fishers, including Legal Resources Centre and Natural Justice who are formal Hub partners, as well as Masifundise Development Trust, Green Connection, and the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic. Key messages from this workshop could be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tOj49x1bc. A full report of the workshop can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf. Among other things, the report is quite innovative in including visual art-work co-developed by researchers and fishers during the workshop to capture salient points in the discussions. In December 2023, Hub researchers worked in collaboration with Indigenous and local community representatives, local co-operatives and NGOs in co-developing community maps of Culturally Significant Areas along coast of Algoa Bay and uThukela to add socio-cultural layer and integrate Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge to Marine Spatial Planning. A set of Guidelines on the recognition of Customary Fishing Rights in South Africa is in progress (Sunde, forthcoming). This will draw on the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - see separate entry "Better protecting SSFs' human rights" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-scale Fishers") amongst other international instruments. Notable policy and law-making impacts have been achieved from this collaboration. As noted above, as a result of research, engagement and advocacy efforts, on 6 July 2021, the Government of South Africa announced a change to the squid catch allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. From 2022 to 2023, one of the innovative tools to facilitate small-scale fishers' and local communities' participation in ocean governance -namely the Empatheatre's Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) play - has been performed at various international processes including the UN Climate COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at FAO HQs in Rome, and the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day (2023). At national level, Lalela uLwandle was cited as evidence of the increasing recognition of the cultural and spiritual significance of the ocean intangible cultural heritage in a court case in South Africa, contributing to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/). This is also reported under a separate entry "Sustaining South Africa's small-scale fishing communities." Key messages derived from CJN national workshop in October 2023 will be developed as resources that can be used by small-scale fishers in their policy engagements and in their own decision-making processes. It is anticipated that these resources will be a lasting legacy for small-scale fishers and coastal communities with whom One Ocean Hub has worked over the past five years. A summary of key messages and findings emerged from the workshop will also be shared by the Hub at the international Small-Scale Fishers Summit organized by FAO in Italy in July 2024. This collaboration promotes gender equality and directly contributes to the local economy as it directly engages and proactively responds to ocean livelihood diversification and a range of injustices along communities living in the coastline provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The sewing machine project, in particular, provided a rapid response, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, to the self-identified and prioritised livelihood needs of women in two small-scale fishing communities, allowing them to secure livelihoods as a safety-net that remains crucial after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, to fill gaps between fishing seasons. Such additional livelihoods are particularly important for single mothers in fishing communities. Even during fishing season, small-scale fishing cooperatives are still facing several challenges to ensure their economic viability. The Chairperson of the Sophakama sewing project, Thembakazi Paliso, said: "We received 8 sewing machines among 20 women, so we divided ourselves in two training groups. Within two weeks, we learnt to make handbags, cushions, cushion covers, aprons and reusable sanitary pads." One of the trainers, also from the Sophakama sewing project, Ntombizanele Ntshokoma, added: "Most women in our group never had an opportunity to sew in their life and in two weeks they were able to produce items for sale. We can see that this project is sustainable." The Chairperson of the "Women in the Sewing Project", Dolly Mkatha: "I have no words to thank One Ocean Hub for this project, because it has made a difference for our livelihoods and those of our children." The initial income generated under the project for each group is expected to be around 15.000 Rands (£1.400). This collaboration is changing the lives of coastal communities by providing innovative and flexible funding to establish these ocean economy diversification projects for women, (https://www.iucn.org/story/202303/supporting-small-scale-fisher-womens-livelihoods-eastern-cape-south-africa; https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/). |
| Impact | This collaboration has produced: The Lalela Ulwandle Empatheatre production (https://www.empatheatre.com/). The disciplines involved are: Law and Sociology. Blogposts summarising events and interventions developed from the collaboration: • Taryn Pereira, 'Creative solutions: how we quickly moved UN World Oceans day presentations online', https://oneoceanhub.org/creative-solutions-how-we-quickly-moved-un-world-oceans-day-presentations-online/ • Taryn Pereira, Buhle Francis and Dylan McGarry, 'The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Jackie Sunde, 'Participating in seismic shifts in ocean research and advocacy collaboration in South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Webinars: • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AAy0RDSido0 • Two panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Video links for the three panels could be found below. o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. • Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The relevant links could be found below. o The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). o Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). o Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). • Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. o Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). o Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). o Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Artistic outputs: • Lalela uLwandle short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGc0LeYPQHw • The Blue blanket short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=6s • Umkhosi Wenala short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Mapping for Justice - customary rights battle within South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs&t=10s • List of images created by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) that are included in the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop report "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf). All these artworks are untitled. In order to give a brief description about what the artwork entails when text is available in the artworks we used the first sentence. o 'What makes us unique', p.6 of the report. o 'What Special Rights do we have/require?', p.7 of the report. o 'Our vision for the next 10 years', p.8 of the report. o 'We are an afterthought of the government', p.15 of the report. o 'We demand our customary right to sea is recognised and prioritised', p.16 of the report. o 'Untitled', p.17 of the report. o 'I want to continue to live with the ocean, with my ancestors', p.18 of the report. o 'I hope you become a scientist that acknowledges your own people's knowledge', p.19 of the report. o 'I deserve to learn about the ocean with knowledge that is not just based on marine science', p.20 of the report. o 'We as fishers navigate according to the morning star, but DFFE expects us to fish 8 to 5 like office workers,' p.21 of the report. o 'We the Small-Scale Fishers, ocean stewards and defenders are trying to understand the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, sector plans have been developed, but we don't see SSF in these plans', p.21 of the report. o 'When times are rough at home, and the government offer us nothing', p.22 of the report. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Participatory Governance SOUTH AFRICA |
| Organisation | International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration explores alternative approaches to public participation in decision-making in environmental protection. Lack of meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making processes not only creates citizen apathy with respect to environmental responsibility but it also leads to low understanding of how these decisions impact livelihood activities. This collaboration develops methodologies for inclusive and participatory decision-making and also aims to include overlooked knowledge areas. Our preliminary research in South Africa has identified specific questions among coastal communities about how their needs can be included in the creation of marine protected areas, as well as how overall public participation can be ensured in Marine Protected Area management, as well as other policy processes in coastal and marine enviroments. These questions have informed further inter- and trans-disciplinary marine and social science research on the need and process for the designation of new marine protected areas in South Africa. The pilot Emphatheatre research sought to demonstrate what meaningful, robust participatory decision- making forums could and should look like, as a counter-process to the superficial 'tick-box' approach to public consultation that characterises many ocean governance processes in South Africa. Researchers are careful not to take a particular stand on whether developments/exploration/protection measures should go ahead or not - instead, we provide the forum for unheard interests to come to the fore. In 2020, a test case emerged from the pilot that led to a petition for review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) that approved exploratory deep-sea drilling offshore oil and gas licenses in South Africa. Through this activity we have been able to identify specific research questions about how local-level needs can be included in decision-making over extractives and the creation of marine protected areas. Namely, the integration of intangible cultural heritage, protection of livelihoods. In 2020, this partnership expanded to address: women's rights and livelihoods; community participation in the management of marine protected areas; strategic participation in the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan process, as well as supporting coastal communities' participation in challenging exclusive decision-making processes relating to UNESCO World Heritage Site governance. From 2020to 2023, Hub early career researcher, Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) worked with a group of women artisanal fishers, drawing on three years of collaboration through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) - a knowledge-action network of small-scale fishers, environmental justice organisations and Hub researchers. The women have long histories and local ecological knowledge of the ocean, linked to their seaweed harvesting practices that are currently being exploited, with little benefit coming back to them. This is particularly distressing, as South Africa is experiencing massive and unprecedented climate emergencies (flooding and droughts) and in this context women, who for generations have relied on the ocean as a rural safety net, and food security source (not to mention a site of spiritual and cultural sustenance), are now deeply threatened. All this makes their climate adaptation particularly difficult, and requires a sophisticated and strategic response and intervention. This co-designed study aims to build capacity, legal empowerment and meaningful climate adaptation strategies moving forward. The project entails a collaborative analysis to better protect the human rights of small-scale fisher women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa by: • identifying how to share fairly and equitably the benefits from seaweed harvesting; • clarifying the conditions for the protection also of their human right to a healthy ocean, livelihoods and culture; • advancing legal empowerment and supporting transformative dialogue with national and local ocean decision-makers through novel arts-based research approaches and decolonial historical analyses within local cooperative cultures; and • co-developing climate change adaptation strategies based on secure marine livelihoods. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-brings-hub-researcher-buhle-francis-to-the-uk-to-deepen-research-on-justice-gender-and-ocean-livelihoods/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/. Through this collaboration women in coastal communities were able to share their livelihoods concerns, related to not being able to carry out fisheries work (in fishing processing factories/industries, and buying and selling fish) and have access to the ocean because of the lockdown restrictions during COVID 19 pandemic, but also because traditionally their roles in the fishing value chain are often limited to post-harvest fishing work. Buhle facilitated a conversation among the two communities of women about a menu of possible complementary livelihood projects, with sewing emerging as a priority. They then collaborated on a project proposal submitted to the Hub's Flexible Fund, which allowed to mobilise two pilot projects in Gqeberha ("Women in the Sewing Project": 20 women that are part of the fishing cooperative and 6 women who are married to fishermen that are not part of the cooperatives) and Hamburg (Sophakama - "Let's raise" - sewing project; 22 women from an aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives). Eight sewing machines and an overlock were provided to each group, as well as capacity building. Keiskamma at Art Centre (which also created Our Sacred Ocean, a magnificent tapestry under the Hub's DEEP Fund project) partnered with both groups and provided the initial training (one training session was hosted at the Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training at Nelson Mandela University). To support the launch of these enterprises, the Environmental Learning and Research Centre of Rhodes University made a large order for cushions and cushion covers, as well as reusable sanitary pads, from both groups and hosted a training of trainers for four selected women in October 2022. Women in both groups have trained other women in their communities, and the two groups are also sharing skills with one another. Each group created a 7-member committee (with chairperson and deputy, treasurer and secretariat) and obtained registration as a legal entity (in the form of a cooperative), with a view to continuing the enterprise after the project and gaining access to government support moving forward. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education & Training, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK), UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa; Masifundise, South Africa; Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives, South Africa; The Beach Coop, South Africa; Save the West Coast, South Africa; The Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; WOMIN - Woman in Mining, South Africa; The Collective, South Africa; Green Connection, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa; Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa; Zingiza Educational Trust, South Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A series of meetings with local NGOs, community representatives and international NGOs provided an opportunity for One Ocean Hub Co-Is to learn about the law-related needs of the NGOs appealing the decision, as well as about the variety of legal arguments that could be explored in the appeal (NGO appellants focused on international climate change law and constitutional human rights law, for instance). One Ocean Hub researchers from a range of disciplines were requested to share their expertise with regards to the EIA's technical reports on fisheries impact marine ecology impact/heritage impact. International investment law experts from the OOH (IIED) discussed international investment law perspectives, which have implications at the national and local level. All Hub Co-Is who wished to do so, were invited to contribute to the appeal in their personal capacity. Through the work of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), Hub researchers have held a womxn's coastal justice workshop on 15 April 2021 with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). This has led the womxn to gain self-confidence, practice self-care, and support each other as they diversify and extend to other supplementary livelihood, a sewing project. The workshop created an environment where fisher womxn were able to make decisions independently for their benefit and society. This has contributed in strengthening their sense of identity as demonstrated by their decision to name themselves "Women In Sea Sewing Project (WISSP)". Womxn fishers have come up with their own bylaws (a mini-constitution) which guides them and have opened a bank account. The CJN also ran a series of regional workshops with small-scale fishers in different coastal provinces in South Africa. These regional workshops culminated into a national workshop that took place in October 2023. The CJN also supported SSF participation in the management of: a) Amathole MPA: In March-May 2021, Hub reseaerchers co-designed with South Africa's Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency a follow-up consultation with 6 SSF cooperative leaders (Siyaphambili, Benton on sea, Kiwane, Mlibo, KeiMout, and Siyazama Aquaculture cooperatives) from the Eastern Cape on a draft MPA management plan that had not included their views. This was an unprecedented move by a managing agency in South Africa, exceeding current legal requirements. The Network organised a planning workshop with SSF leaders (Hamburg, May 2021), using participatory mapping to make the draft MPA management plan available in the local language (isiXhosa). SSF leaders paced out draft MPA maps and zones across the hall, using their bodies and other items as reference points for landmarks and noticeable boundaries. This documented their questions and concerns about relevant sections of the official MPA management plan. At the follow-up meeting, authorities received the participatory mapping and detailed comments from community members, resulting in a public commitment to include SSF leaders and other community structures in the Amathole MPA co-management forum. b) Aliwal Shoal MPA: The Network supported the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in preparing responses to the Aliwal Shoal MPA Draft Management Plan and obtaining a dedicated meeting to address these concerns with DFFE and the MPA management authority (Ezimvelo). The Network supported the Forum with crafting an agenda in which SSF representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base (particularly around fish stock and species management - see Research Case 2). The meeting (June 2021) was facilitated by Hub researcher Erwin at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, DFFE and Ezimvelo committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. In addition, the partnership supported SSF access to squid markets. Implementation of squid catch allocations in South Africa have left SSF being unable to fish for squid for years, although their fishing practices are sustainable, ethical and socially responsible. Joining a long-standing campaign, the CJN supported fishers in responding to the latest appeal process. On 6th July 2021, the Government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. Acknowledging the CJN's support, a member of the Khoi San Fishing Cooperative remarked: "I can't thank One Ocean Hub and CJN enough for the part their played in our success and victory. They were very instrumental in our plea and argument with the department of fisheries and the counterarguments against Sasmia [South African Squid Management Industrial Association]." This collaboration is now seeking to influence the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan, notably to include environmental/climate change considerations in this process, and the representation of indigenous knowledge holders. In February 2022, a national workshop hosted by SDCEA aimed to develop a united strategy of improving participation in ocean governance, particularly around the Oil and Gas exploration in the OEMP. Hub researchers involved in the CJN were invited to contribute to develop the strategy with communities, CBOs and legal-aid NGOs, in how they are engaging national decision making processes. Community representatives specifically asked the Hub to contribute to the implementation of the strategy with: ocean literacy and legal empowerment support tools, and on-demand expert advice on marine ecology and fishery sciences around the impacts of oil and gas exploration and cumulative activities impact on fisheries - specifically Hake, snoek, squid, (and any other species used for food or livelihoods and the social dimensions of an ecosystems approach to marine governance. They also asked the Hub to continue to develop new research on ocean culture to support efforts for inclusion of SSFs' customary practices, rights and knowledge in national decision making; and to prepare accessible, short information pieces for fishers to draw out the links between fishers' own experiences of not being consulted and international law (which will be replied as part of the Hub's cooperation with FAO). In addition, a new transdisciplinary team (that includes legal-aid NGOs and other CBOs, Fisher leaders) emerged to work on various participatory efforts in four MPAs (IsiMangaliso, Aliwal Shoal, Amatola, Tsitsikamma, and St Helena Baai), along with other community-led conservation opportunities. From 2021 to 2023, Hub researchers in South Africa have been actively creating a range of innovative tools such as a database of mining applications (Sowman et al, 2023), counter-hegemonic mapping of marine protected area (Pereira et al 2021), theatre (UN World Oceans Day, 2023) and public storytelling (McGarry et al 2022), and guidelines on the protection of customary fishing rights (Sunde, forthcoming), to facilitate inclusion of small-scale fishers in ocean governance and provide accessible and transparent databases for small-scale fishers and their communities. These tools are reported separately under the "Methods and tools" section. , On 25-26 October 2023, the Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. The organisation of the workshop was led by Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman from University of Cape Town, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (UCT EGS), in collaboration with Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dylan McGarry from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Irna Senekal from Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training - (CIPSET), and Kira Erwin from Durban University of Technology (DUT). It built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023. This workshop was intended as a space to enable leaders to articulate a national position and speak with one voice on relevant aspects of these policy processes. There were 35 fisher participants present, from four coastal provinces of South Africa. There were also 20 civil society and researcher participants, from a range of organisations that work in support of small-scale fishers, including Legal Resources Centre and Natural Justice who are formal Hub partners, as well as Masifundise Development Trust, Green Connection, and the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic. Key messages from this workshop could be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tOj49x1bc. A full report of the workshop can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf. Among other things, the report is quite innovative in including visual art-work co-developed by researchers and fishers during the workshop to capture salient points in the discussions. In December 2023, Hub researchers worked in collaboration with Indigenous and local community representatives, local co-operatives and NGOs in co-developing community maps of Culturally Significant Areas along coast of Algoa Bay and uThukela to add socio-cultural layer and integrate Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge to Marine Spatial Planning. A set of Guidelines on the recognition of Customary Fishing Rights in South Africa is in progress (Sunde, forthcoming). This will draw on the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - see separate entry "Better protecting SSFs' human rights" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-scale Fishers") amongst other international instruments. Notable policy and law-making impacts have been achieved from this collaboration. As noted above, as a result of research, engagement and advocacy efforts, on 6 July 2021, the Government of South Africa announced a change to the squid catch allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. From 2022 to 2023, one of the innovative tools to facilitate small-scale fishers' and local communities' participation in ocean governance -namely the Empatheatre's Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) play - has been performed at various international processes including the UN Climate COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at FAO HQs in Rome, and the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day (2023). At national level, Lalela uLwandle was cited as evidence of the increasing recognition of the cultural and spiritual significance of the ocean intangible cultural heritage in a court case in South Africa, contributing to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/). This is also reported under a separate entry "Sustaining South Africa's small-scale fishing communities." Key messages derived from CJN national workshop in October 2023 will be developed as resources that can be used by small-scale fishers in their policy engagements and in their own decision-making processes. It is anticipated that these resources will be a lasting legacy for small-scale fishers and coastal communities with whom One Ocean Hub has worked over the past five years. A summary of key messages and findings emerged from the workshop will also be shared by the Hub at the international Small-Scale Fishers Summit organized by FAO in Italy in July 2024. This collaboration promotes gender equality and directly contributes to the local economy as it directly engages and proactively responds to ocean livelihood diversification and a range of injustices along communities living in the coastline provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The sewing machine project, in particular, provided a rapid response, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, to the self-identified and prioritised livelihood needs of women in two small-scale fishing communities, allowing them to secure livelihoods as a safety-net that remains crucial after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, to fill gaps between fishing seasons. Such additional livelihoods are particularly important for single mothers in fishing communities. Even during fishing season, small-scale fishing cooperatives are still facing several challenges to ensure their economic viability. The Chairperson of the Sophakama sewing project, Thembakazi Paliso, said: "We received 8 sewing machines among 20 women, so we divided ourselves in two training groups. Within two weeks, we learnt to make handbags, cushions, cushion covers, aprons and reusable sanitary pads." One of the trainers, also from the Sophakama sewing project, Ntombizanele Ntshokoma, added: "Most women in our group never had an opportunity to sew in their life and in two weeks they were able to produce items for sale. We can see that this project is sustainable." The Chairperson of the "Women in the Sewing Project", Dolly Mkatha: "I have no words to thank One Ocean Hub for this project, because it has made a difference for our livelihoods and those of our children." The initial income generated under the project for each group is expected to be around 15.000 Rands (£1.400). This collaboration is changing the lives of coastal communities by providing innovative and flexible funding to establish these ocean economy diversification projects for women, (https://www.iucn.org/story/202303/supporting-small-scale-fisher-womens-livelihoods-eastern-cape-south-africa; https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/). |
| Impact | This collaboration has produced: The Lalela Ulwandle Empatheatre production (https://www.empatheatre.com/). The disciplines involved are: Law and Sociology. Blogposts summarising events and interventions developed from the collaboration: • Taryn Pereira, 'Creative solutions: how we quickly moved UN World Oceans day presentations online', https://oneoceanhub.org/creative-solutions-how-we-quickly-moved-un-world-oceans-day-presentations-online/ • Taryn Pereira, Buhle Francis and Dylan McGarry, 'The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Jackie Sunde, 'Participating in seismic shifts in ocean research and advocacy collaboration in South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Webinars: • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AAy0RDSido0 • Two panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Video links for the three panels could be found below. o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. • Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The relevant links could be found below. o The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). o Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). o Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). • Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. o Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). o Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). o Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Artistic outputs: • Lalela uLwandle short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGc0LeYPQHw • The Blue blanket short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=6s • Umkhosi Wenala short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Mapping for Justice - customary rights battle within South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs&t=10s • List of images created by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) that are included in the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop report "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf). All these artworks are untitled. In order to give a brief description about what the artwork entails when text is available in the artworks we used the first sentence. o 'What makes us unique', p.6 of the report. o 'What Special Rights do we have/require?', p.7 of the report. o 'Our vision for the next 10 years', p.8 of the report. o 'We are an afterthought of the government', p.15 of the report. o 'We demand our customary right to sea is recognised and prioritised', p.16 of the report. o 'Untitled', p.17 of the report. o 'I want to continue to live with the ocean, with my ancestors', p.18 of the report. o 'I hope you become a scientist that acknowledges your own people's knowledge', p.19 of the report. o 'I deserve to learn about the ocean with knowledge that is not just based on marine science', p.20 of the report. o 'We as fishers navigate according to the morning star, but DFFE expects us to fish 8 to 5 like office workers,' p.21 of the report. o 'We the Small-Scale Fishers, ocean stewards and defenders are trying to understand the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, sector plans have been developed, but we don't see SSF in these plans', p.21 of the report. o 'When times are rough at home, and the government offer us nothing', p.22 of the report. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Participatory Governance SOUTH AFRICA |
| Organisation | Natural Justice |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration explores alternative approaches to public participation in decision-making in environmental protection. Lack of meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making processes not only creates citizen apathy with respect to environmental responsibility but it also leads to low understanding of how these decisions impact livelihood activities. This collaboration develops methodologies for inclusive and participatory decision-making and also aims to include overlooked knowledge areas. Our preliminary research in South Africa has identified specific questions among coastal communities about how their needs can be included in the creation of marine protected areas, as well as how overall public participation can be ensured in Marine Protected Area management, as well as other policy processes in coastal and marine enviroments. These questions have informed further inter- and trans-disciplinary marine and social science research on the need and process for the designation of new marine protected areas in South Africa. The pilot Emphatheatre research sought to demonstrate what meaningful, robust participatory decision- making forums could and should look like, as a counter-process to the superficial 'tick-box' approach to public consultation that characterises many ocean governance processes in South Africa. Researchers are careful not to take a particular stand on whether developments/exploration/protection measures should go ahead or not - instead, we provide the forum for unheard interests to come to the fore. In 2020, a test case emerged from the pilot that led to a petition for review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) that approved exploratory deep-sea drilling offshore oil and gas licenses in South Africa. Through this activity we have been able to identify specific research questions about how local-level needs can be included in decision-making over extractives and the creation of marine protected areas. Namely, the integration of intangible cultural heritage, protection of livelihoods. In 2020, this partnership expanded to address: women's rights and livelihoods; community participation in the management of marine protected areas; strategic participation in the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan process, as well as supporting coastal communities' participation in challenging exclusive decision-making processes relating to UNESCO World Heritage Site governance. From 2020to 2023, Hub early career researcher, Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) worked with a group of women artisanal fishers, drawing on three years of collaboration through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) - a knowledge-action network of small-scale fishers, environmental justice organisations and Hub researchers. The women have long histories and local ecological knowledge of the ocean, linked to their seaweed harvesting practices that are currently being exploited, with little benefit coming back to them. This is particularly distressing, as South Africa is experiencing massive and unprecedented climate emergencies (flooding and droughts) and in this context women, who for generations have relied on the ocean as a rural safety net, and food security source (not to mention a site of spiritual and cultural sustenance), are now deeply threatened. All this makes their climate adaptation particularly difficult, and requires a sophisticated and strategic response and intervention. This co-designed study aims to build capacity, legal empowerment and meaningful climate adaptation strategies moving forward. The project entails a collaborative analysis to better protect the human rights of small-scale fisher women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa by: • identifying how to share fairly and equitably the benefits from seaweed harvesting; • clarifying the conditions for the protection also of their human right to a healthy ocean, livelihoods and culture; • advancing legal empowerment and supporting transformative dialogue with national and local ocean decision-makers through novel arts-based research approaches and decolonial historical analyses within local cooperative cultures; and • co-developing climate change adaptation strategies based on secure marine livelihoods. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-brings-hub-researcher-buhle-francis-to-the-uk-to-deepen-research-on-justice-gender-and-ocean-livelihoods/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/. Through this collaboration women in coastal communities were able to share their livelihoods concerns, related to not being able to carry out fisheries work (in fishing processing factories/industries, and buying and selling fish) and have access to the ocean because of the lockdown restrictions during COVID 19 pandemic, but also because traditionally their roles in the fishing value chain are often limited to post-harvest fishing work. Buhle facilitated a conversation among the two communities of women about a menu of possible complementary livelihood projects, with sewing emerging as a priority. They then collaborated on a project proposal submitted to the Hub's Flexible Fund, which allowed to mobilise two pilot projects in Gqeberha ("Women in the Sewing Project": 20 women that are part of the fishing cooperative and 6 women who are married to fishermen that are not part of the cooperatives) and Hamburg (Sophakama - "Let's raise" - sewing project; 22 women from an aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives). Eight sewing machines and an overlock were provided to each group, as well as capacity building. Keiskamma at Art Centre (which also created Our Sacred Ocean, a magnificent tapestry under the Hub's DEEP Fund project) partnered with both groups and provided the initial training (one training session was hosted at the Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training at Nelson Mandela University). To support the launch of these enterprises, the Environmental Learning and Research Centre of Rhodes University made a large order for cushions and cushion covers, as well as reusable sanitary pads, from both groups and hosted a training of trainers for four selected women in October 2022. Women in both groups have trained other women in their communities, and the two groups are also sharing skills with one another. Each group created a 7-member committee (with chairperson and deputy, treasurer and secretariat) and obtained registration as a legal entity (in the form of a cooperative), with a view to continuing the enterprise after the project and gaining access to government support moving forward. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education & Training, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK), UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa; Masifundise, South Africa; Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives, South Africa; The Beach Coop, South Africa; Save the West Coast, South Africa; The Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; WOMIN - Woman in Mining, South Africa; The Collective, South Africa; Green Connection, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa; Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa; Zingiza Educational Trust, South Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A series of meetings with local NGOs, community representatives and international NGOs provided an opportunity for One Ocean Hub Co-Is to learn about the law-related needs of the NGOs appealing the decision, as well as about the variety of legal arguments that could be explored in the appeal (NGO appellants focused on international climate change law and constitutional human rights law, for instance). One Ocean Hub researchers from a range of disciplines were requested to share their expertise with regards to the EIA's technical reports on fisheries impact marine ecology impact/heritage impact. International investment law experts from the OOH (IIED) discussed international investment law perspectives, which have implications at the national and local level. All Hub Co-Is who wished to do so, were invited to contribute to the appeal in their personal capacity. Through the work of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), Hub researchers have held a womxn's coastal justice workshop on 15 April 2021 with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). This has led the womxn to gain self-confidence, practice self-care, and support each other as they diversify and extend to other supplementary livelihood, a sewing project. The workshop created an environment where fisher womxn were able to make decisions independently for their benefit and society. This has contributed in strengthening their sense of identity as demonstrated by their decision to name themselves "Women In Sea Sewing Project (WISSP)". Womxn fishers have come up with their own bylaws (a mini-constitution) which guides them and have opened a bank account. The CJN also ran a series of regional workshops with small-scale fishers in different coastal provinces in South Africa. These regional workshops culminated into a national workshop that took place in October 2023. The CJN also supported SSF participation in the management of: a) Amathole MPA: In March-May 2021, Hub reseaerchers co-designed with South Africa's Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency a follow-up consultation with 6 SSF cooperative leaders (Siyaphambili, Benton on sea, Kiwane, Mlibo, KeiMout, and Siyazama Aquaculture cooperatives) from the Eastern Cape on a draft MPA management plan that had not included their views. This was an unprecedented move by a managing agency in South Africa, exceeding current legal requirements. The Network organised a planning workshop with SSF leaders (Hamburg, May 2021), using participatory mapping to make the draft MPA management plan available in the local language (isiXhosa). SSF leaders paced out draft MPA maps and zones across the hall, using their bodies and other items as reference points for landmarks and noticeable boundaries. This documented their questions and concerns about relevant sections of the official MPA management plan. At the follow-up meeting, authorities received the participatory mapping and detailed comments from community members, resulting in a public commitment to include SSF leaders and other community structures in the Amathole MPA co-management forum. b) Aliwal Shoal MPA: The Network supported the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in preparing responses to the Aliwal Shoal MPA Draft Management Plan and obtaining a dedicated meeting to address these concerns with DFFE and the MPA management authority (Ezimvelo). The Network supported the Forum with crafting an agenda in which SSF representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base (particularly around fish stock and species management - see Research Case 2). The meeting (June 2021) was facilitated by Hub researcher Erwin at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, DFFE and Ezimvelo committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. In addition, the partnership supported SSF access to squid markets. Implementation of squid catch allocations in South Africa have left SSF being unable to fish for squid for years, although their fishing practices are sustainable, ethical and socially responsible. Joining a long-standing campaign, the CJN supported fishers in responding to the latest appeal process. On 6th July 2021, the Government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. Acknowledging the CJN's support, a member of the Khoi San Fishing Cooperative remarked: "I can't thank One Ocean Hub and CJN enough for the part their played in our success and victory. They were very instrumental in our plea and argument with the department of fisheries and the counterarguments against Sasmia [South African Squid Management Industrial Association]." This collaboration is now seeking to influence the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan, notably to include environmental/climate change considerations in this process, and the representation of indigenous knowledge holders. In February 2022, a national workshop hosted by SDCEA aimed to develop a united strategy of improving participation in ocean governance, particularly around the Oil and Gas exploration in the OEMP. Hub researchers involved in the CJN were invited to contribute to develop the strategy with communities, CBOs and legal-aid NGOs, in how they are engaging national decision making processes. Community representatives specifically asked the Hub to contribute to the implementation of the strategy with: ocean literacy and legal empowerment support tools, and on-demand expert advice on marine ecology and fishery sciences around the impacts of oil and gas exploration and cumulative activities impact on fisheries - specifically Hake, snoek, squid, (and any other species used for food or livelihoods and the social dimensions of an ecosystems approach to marine governance. They also asked the Hub to continue to develop new research on ocean culture to support efforts for inclusion of SSFs' customary practices, rights and knowledge in national decision making; and to prepare accessible, short information pieces for fishers to draw out the links between fishers' own experiences of not being consulted and international law (which will be replied as part of the Hub's cooperation with FAO). In addition, a new transdisciplinary team (that includes legal-aid NGOs and other CBOs, Fisher leaders) emerged to work on various participatory efforts in four MPAs (IsiMangaliso, Aliwal Shoal, Amatola, Tsitsikamma, and St Helena Baai), along with other community-led conservation opportunities. From 2021 to 2023, Hub researchers in South Africa have been actively creating a range of innovative tools such as a database of mining applications (Sowman et al, 2023), counter-hegemonic mapping of marine protected area (Pereira et al 2021), theatre (UN World Oceans Day, 2023) and public storytelling (McGarry et al 2022), and guidelines on the protection of customary fishing rights (Sunde, forthcoming), to facilitate inclusion of small-scale fishers in ocean governance and provide accessible and transparent databases for small-scale fishers and their communities. These tools are reported separately under the "Methods and tools" section. , On 25-26 October 2023, the Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. The organisation of the workshop was led by Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman from University of Cape Town, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (UCT EGS), in collaboration with Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dylan McGarry from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Irna Senekal from Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training - (CIPSET), and Kira Erwin from Durban University of Technology (DUT). It built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023. This workshop was intended as a space to enable leaders to articulate a national position and speak with one voice on relevant aspects of these policy processes. There were 35 fisher participants present, from four coastal provinces of South Africa. There were also 20 civil society and researcher participants, from a range of organisations that work in support of small-scale fishers, including Legal Resources Centre and Natural Justice who are formal Hub partners, as well as Masifundise Development Trust, Green Connection, and the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic. Key messages from this workshop could be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tOj49x1bc. A full report of the workshop can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf. Among other things, the report is quite innovative in including visual art-work co-developed by researchers and fishers during the workshop to capture salient points in the discussions. In December 2023, Hub researchers worked in collaboration with Indigenous and local community representatives, local co-operatives and NGOs in co-developing community maps of Culturally Significant Areas along coast of Algoa Bay and uThukela to add socio-cultural layer and integrate Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge to Marine Spatial Planning. A set of Guidelines on the recognition of Customary Fishing Rights in South Africa is in progress (Sunde, forthcoming). This will draw on the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - see separate entry "Better protecting SSFs' human rights" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-scale Fishers") amongst other international instruments. Notable policy and law-making impacts have been achieved from this collaboration. As noted above, as a result of research, engagement and advocacy efforts, on 6 July 2021, the Government of South Africa announced a change to the squid catch allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. From 2022 to 2023, one of the innovative tools to facilitate small-scale fishers' and local communities' participation in ocean governance -namely the Empatheatre's Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) play - has been performed at various international processes including the UN Climate COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at FAO HQs in Rome, and the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day (2023). At national level, Lalela uLwandle was cited as evidence of the increasing recognition of the cultural and spiritual significance of the ocean intangible cultural heritage in a court case in South Africa, contributing to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/). This is also reported under a separate entry "Sustaining South Africa's small-scale fishing communities." Key messages derived from CJN national workshop in October 2023 will be developed as resources that can be used by small-scale fishers in their policy engagements and in their own decision-making processes. It is anticipated that these resources will be a lasting legacy for small-scale fishers and coastal communities with whom One Ocean Hub has worked over the past five years. A summary of key messages and findings emerged from the workshop will also be shared by the Hub at the international Small-Scale Fishers Summit organized by FAO in Italy in July 2024. This collaboration promotes gender equality and directly contributes to the local economy as it directly engages and proactively responds to ocean livelihood diversification and a range of injustices along communities living in the coastline provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The sewing machine project, in particular, provided a rapid response, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, to the self-identified and prioritised livelihood needs of women in two small-scale fishing communities, allowing them to secure livelihoods as a safety-net that remains crucial after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, to fill gaps between fishing seasons. Such additional livelihoods are particularly important for single mothers in fishing communities. Even during fishing season, small-scale fishing cooperatives are still facing several challenges to ensure their economic viability. The Chairperson of the Sophakama sewing project, Thembakazi Paliso, said: "We received 8 sewing machines among 20 women, so we divided ourselves in two training groups. Within two weeks, we learnt to make handbags, cushions, cushion covers, aprons and reusable sanitary pads." One of the trainers, also from the Sophakama sewing project, Ntombizanele Ntshokoma, added: "Most women in our group never had an opportunity to sew in their life and in two weeks they were able to produce items for sale. We can see that this project is sustainable." The Chairperson of the "Women in the Sewing Project", Dolly Mkatha: "I have no words to thank One Ocean Hub for this project, because it has made a difference for our livelihoods and those of our children." The initial income generated under the project for each group is expected to be around 15.000 Rands (£1.400). This collaboration is changing the lives of coastal communities by providing innovative and flexible funding to establish these ocean economy diversification projects for women, (https://www.iucn.org/story/202303/supporting-small-scale-fisher-womens-livelihoods-eastern-cape-south-africa; https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/). |
| Impact | This collaboration has produced: The Lalela Ulwandle Empatheatre production (https://www.empatheatre.com/). The disciplines involved are: Law and Sociology. Blogposts summarising events and interventions developed from the collaboration: • Taryn Pereira, 'Creative solutions: how we quickly moved UN World Oceans day presentations online', https://oneoceanhub.org/creative-solutions-how-we-quickly-moved-un-world-oceans-day-presentations-online/ • Taryn Pereira, Buhle Francis and Dylan McGarry, 'The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Jackie Sunde, 'Participating in seismic shifts in ocean research and advocacy collaboration in South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Webinars: • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AAy0RDSido0 • Two panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Video links for the three panels could be found below. o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. • Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The relevant links could be found below. o The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). o Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). o Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). • Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. o Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). o Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). o Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Artistic outputs: • Lalela uLwandle short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGc0LeYPQHw • The Blue blanket short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=6s • Umkhosi Wenala short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Mapping for Justice - customary rights battle within South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs&t=10s • List of images created by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) that are included in the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop report "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf). All these artworks are untitled. In order to give a brief description about what the artwork entails when text is available in the artworks we used the first sentence. o 'What makes us unique', p.6 of the report. o 'What Special Rights do we have/require?', p.7 of the report. o 'Our vision for the next 10 years', p.8 of the report. o 'We are an afterthought of the government', p.15 of the report. o 'We demand our customary right to sea is recognised and prioritised', p.16 of the report. o 'Untitled', p.17 of the report. o 'I want to continue to live with the ocean, with my ancestors', p.18 of the report. o 'I hope you become a scientist that acknowledges your own people's knowledge', p.19 of the report. o 'I deserve to learn about the ocean with knowledge that is not just based on marine science', p.20 of the report. o 'We as fishers navigate according to the morning star, but DFFE expects us to fish 8 to 5 like office workers,' p.21 of the report. o 'We the Small-Scale Fishers, ocean stewards and defenders are trying to understand the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, sector plans have been developed, but we don't see SSF in these plans', p.21 of the report. o 'When times are rough at home, and the government offer us nothing', p.22 of the report. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Participatory Governance SOUTH AFRICA |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration explores alternative approaches to public participation in decision-making in environmental protection. Lack of meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making processes not only creates citizen apathy with respect to environmental responsibility but it also leads to low understanding of how these decisions impact livelihood activities. This collaboration develops methodologies for inclusive and participatory decision-making and also aims to include overlooked knowledge areas. Our preliminary research in South Africa has identified specific questions among coastal communities about how their needs can be included in the creation of marine protected areas, as well as how overall public participation can be ensured in Marine Protected Area management, as well as other policy processes in coastal and marine enviroments. These questions have informed further inter- and trans-disciplinary marine and social science research on the need and process for the designation of new marine protected areas in South Africa. The pilot Emphatheatre research sought to demonstrate what meaningful, robust participatory decision- making forums could and should look like, as a counter-process to the superficial 'tick-box' approach to public consultation that characterises many ocean governance processes in South Africa. Researchers are careful not to take a particular stand on whether developments/exploration/protection measures should go ahead or not - instead, we provide the forum for unheard interests to come to the fore. In 2020, a test case emerged from the pilot that led to a petition for review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) that approved exploratory deep-sea drilling offshore oil and gas licenses in South Africa. Through this activity we have been able to identify specific research questions about how local-level needs can be included in decision-making over extractives and the creation of marine protected areas. Namely, the integration of intangible cultural heritage, protection of livelihoods. In 2020, this partnership expanded to address: women's rights and livelihoods; community participation in the management of marine protected areas; strategic participation in the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan process, as well as supporting coastal communities' participation in challenging exclusive decision-making processes relating to UNESCO World Heritage Site governance. From 2020to 2023, Hub early career researcher, Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) worked with a group of women artisanal fishers, drawing on three years of collaboration through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) - a knowledge-action network of small-scale fishers, environmental justice organisations and Hub researchers. The women have long histories and local ecological knowledge of the ocean, linked to their seaweed harvesting practices that are currently being exploited, with little benefit coming back to them. This is particularly distressing, as South Africa is experiencing massive and unprecedented climate emergencies (flooding and droughts) and in this context women, who for generations have relied on the ocean as a rural safety net, and food security source (not to mention a site of spiritual and cultural sustenance), are now deeply threatened. All this makes their climate adaptation particularly difficult, and requires a sophisticated and strategic response and intervention. This co-designed study aims to build capacity, legal empowerment and meaningful climate adaptation strategies moving forward. The project entails a collaborative analysis to better protect the human rights of small-scale fisher women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa by: • identifying how to share fairly and equitably the benefits from seaweed harvesting; • clarifying the conditions for the protection also of their human right to a healthy ocean, livelihoods and culture; • advancing legal empowerment and supporting transformative dialogue with national and local ocean decision-makers through novel arts-based research approaches and decolonial historical analyses within local cooperative cultures; and • co-developing climate change adaptation strategies based on secure marine livelihoods. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-brings-hub-researcher-buhle-francis-to-the-uk-to-deepen-research-on-justice-gender-and-ocean-livelihoods/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/. Through this collaboration women in coastal communities were able to share their livelihoods concerns, related to not being able to carry out fisheries work (in fishing processing factories/industries, and buying and selling fish) and have access to the ocean because of the lockdown restrictions during COVID 19 pandemic, but also because traditionally their roles in the fishing value chain are often limited to post-harvest fishing work. Buhle facilitated a conversation among the two communities of women about a menu of possible complementary livelihood projects, with sewing emerging as a priority. They then collaborated on a project proposal submitted to the Hub's Flexible Fund, which allowed to mobilise two pilot projects in Gqeberha ("Women in the Sewing Project": 20 women that are part of the fishing cooperative and 6 women who are married to fishermen that are not part of the cooperatives) and Hamburg (Sophakama - "Let's raise" - sewing project; 22 women from an aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives). Eight sewing machines and an overlock were provided to each group, as well as capacity building. Keiskamma at Art Centre (which also created Our Sacred Ocean, a magnificent tapestry under the Hub's DEEP Fund project) partnered with both groups and provided the initial training (one training session was hosted at the Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training at Nelson Mandela University). To support the launch of these enterprises, the Environmental Learning and Research Centre of Rhodes University made a large order for cushions and cushion covers, as well as reusable sanitary pads, from both groups and hosted a training of trainers for four selected women in October 2022. Women in both groups have trained other women in their communities, and the two groups are also sharing skills with one another. Each group created a 7-member committee (with chairperson and deputy, treasurer and secretariat) and obtained registration as a legal entity (in the form of a cooperative), with a view to continuing the enterprise after the project and gaining access to government support moving forward. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education & Training, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK), UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa; Masifundise, South Africa; Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives, South Africa; The Beach Coop, South Africa; Save the West Coast, South Africa; The Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; WOMIN - Woman in Mining, South Africa; The Collective, South Africa; Green Connection, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa; Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa; Zingiza Educational Trust, South Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A series of meetings with local NGOs, community representatives and international NGOs provided an opportunity for One Ocean Hub Co-Is to learn about the law-related needs of the NGOs appealing the decision, as well as about the variety of legal arguments that could be explored in the appeal (NGO appellants focused on international climate change law and constitutional human rights law, for instance). One Ocean Hub researchers from a range of disciplines were requested to share their expertise with regards to the EIA's technical reports on fisheries impact marine ecology impact/heritage impact. International investment law experts from the OOH (IIED) discussed international investment law perspectives, which have implications at the national and local level. All Hub Co-Is who wished to do so, were invited to contribute to the appeal in their personal capacity. Through the work of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), Hub researchers have held a womxn's coastal justice workshop on 15 April 2021 with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). This has led the womxn to gain self-confidence, practice self-care, and support each other as they diversify and extend to other supplementary livelihood, a sewing project. The workshop created an environment where fisher womxn were able to make decisions independently for their benefit and society. This has contributed in strengthening their sense of identity as demonstrated by their decision to name themselves "Women In Sea Sewing Project (WISSP)". Womxn fishers have come up with their own bylaws (a mini-constitution) which guides them and have opened a bank account. The CJN also ran a series of regional workshops with small-scale fishers in different coastal provinces in South Africa. These regional workshops culminated into a national workshop that took place in October 2023. The CJN also supported SSF participation in the management of: a) Amathole MPA: In March-May 2021, Hub reseaerchers co-designed with South Africa's Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency a follow-up consultation with 6 SSF cooperative leaders (Siyaphambili, Benton on sea, Kiwane, Mlibo, KeiMout, and Siyazama Aquaculture cooperatives) from the Eastern Cape on a draft MPA management plan that had not included their views. This was an unprecedented move by a managing agency in South Africa, exceeding current legal requirements. The Network organised a planning workshop with SSF leaders (Hamburg, May 2021), using participatory mapping to make the draft MPA management plan available in the local language (isiXhosa). SSF leaders paced out draft MPA maps and zones across the hall, using their bodies and other items as reference points for landmarks and noticeable boundaries. This documented their questions and concerns about relevant sections of the official MPA management plan. At the follow-up meeting, authorities received the participatory mapping and detailed comments from community members, resulting in a public commitment to include SSF leaders and other community structures in the Amathole MPA co-management forum. b) Aliwal Shoal MPA: The Network supported the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in preparing responses to the Aliwal Shoal MPA Draft Management Plan and obtaining a dedicated meeting to address these concerns with DFFE and the MPA management authority (Ezimvelo). The Network supported the Forum with crafting an agenda in which SSF representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base (particularly around fish stock and species management - see Research Case 2). The meeting (June 2021) was facilitated by Hub researcher Erwin at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, DFFE and Ezimvelo committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. In addition, the partnership supported SSF access to squid markets. Implementation of squid catch allocations in South Africa have left SSF being unable to fish for squid for years, although their fishing practices are sustainable, ethical and socially responsible. Joining a long-standing campaign, the CJN supported fishers in responding to the latest appeal process. On 6th July 2021, the Government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. Acknowledging the CJN's support, a member of the Khoi San Fishing Cooperative remarked: "I can't thank One Ocean Hub and CJN enough for the part their played in our success and victory. They were very instrumental in our plea and argument with the department of fisheries and the counterarguments against Sasmia [South African Squid Management Industrial Association]." This collaboration is now seeking to influence the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan, notably to include environmental/climate change considerations in this process, and the representation of indigenous knowledge holders. In February 2022, a national workshop hosted by SDCEA aimed to develop a united strategy of improving participation in ocean governance, particularly around the Oil and Gas exploration in the OEMP. Hub researchers involved in the CJN were invited to contribute to develop the strategy with communities, CBOs and legal-aid NGOs, in how they are engaging national decision making processes. Community representatives specifically asked the Hub to contribute to the implementation of the strategy with: ocean literacy and legal empowerment support tools, and on-demand expert advice on marine ecology and fishery sciences around the impacts of oil and gas exploration and cumulative activities impact on fisheries - specifically Hake, snoek, squid, (and any other species used for food or livelihoods and the social dimensions of an ecosystems approach to marine governance. They also asked the Hub to continue to develop new research on ocean culture to support efforts for inclusion of SSFs' customary practices, rights and knowledge in national decision making; and to prepare accessible, short information pieces for fishers to draw out the links between fishers' own experiences of not being consulted and international law (which will be replied as part of the Hub's cooperation with FAO). In addition, a new transdisciplinary team (that includes legal-aid NGOs and other CBOs, Fisher leaders) emerged to work on various participatory efforts in four MPAs (IsiMangaliso, Aliwal Shoal, Amatola, Tsitsikamma, and St Helena Baai), along with other community-led conservation opportunities. From 2021 to 2023, Hub researchers in South Africa have been actively creating a range of innovative tools such as a database of mining applications (Sowman et al, 2023), counter-hegemonic mapping of marine protected area (Pereira et al 2021), theatre (UN World Oceans Day, 2023) and public storytelling (McGarry et al 2022), and guidelines on the protection of customary fishing rights (Sunde, forthcoming), to facilitate inclusion of small-scale fishers in ocean governance and provide accessible and transparent databases for small-scale fishers and their communities. These tools are reported separately under the "Methods and tools" section. , On 25-26 October 2023, the Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. The organisation of the workshop was led by Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman from University of Cape Town, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (UCT EGS), in collaboration with Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dylan McGarry from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Irna Senekal from Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training - (CIPSET), and Kira Erwin from Durban University of Technology (DUT). It built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023. This workshop was intended as a space to enable leaders to articulate a national position and speak with one voice on relevant aspects of these policy processes. There were 35 fisher participants present, from four coastal provinces of South Africa. There were also 20 civil society and researcher participants, from a range of organisations that work in support of small-scale fishers, including Legal Resources Centre and Natural Justice who are formal Hub partners, as well as Masifundise Development Trust, Green Connection, and the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic. Key messages from this workshop could be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tOj49x1bc. A full report of the workshop can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf. Among other things, the report is quite innovative in including visual art-work co-developed by researchers and fishers during the workshop to capture salient points in the discussions. In December 2023, Hub researchers worked in collaboration with Indigenous and local community representatives, local co-operatives and NGOs in co-developing community maps of Culturally Significant Areas along coast of Algoa Bay and uThukela to add socio-cultural layer and integrate Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge to Marine Spatial Planning. A set of Guidelines on the recognition of Customary Fishing Rights in South Africa is in progress (Sunde, forthcoming). This will draw on the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - see separate entry "Better protecting SSFs' human rights" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-scale Fishers") amongst other international instruments. Notable policy and law-making impacts have been achieved from this collaboration. As noted above, as a result of research, engagement and advocacy efforts, on 6 July 2021, the Government of South Africa announced a change to the squid catch allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. From 2022 to 2023, one of the innovative tools to facilitate small-scale fishers' and local communities' participation in ocean governance -namely the Empatheatre's Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) play - has been performed at various international processes including the UN Climate COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at FAO HQs in Rome, and the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day (2023). At national level, Lalela uLwandle was cited as evidence of the increasing recognition of the cultural and spiritual significance of the ocean intangible cultural heritage in a court case in South Africa, contributing to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/). This is also reported under a separate entry "Sustaining South Africa's small-scale fishing communities." Key messages derived from CJN national workshop in October 2023 will be developed as resources that can be used by small-scale fishers in their policy engagements and in their own decision-making processes. It is anticipated that these resources will be a lasting legacy for small-scale fishers and coastal communities with whom One Ocean Hub has worked over the past five years. A summary of key messages and findings emerged from the workshop will also be shared by the Hub at the international Small-Scale Fishers Summit organized by FAO in Italy in July 2024. This collaboration promotes gender equality and directly contributes to the local economy as it directly engages and proactively responds to ocean livelihood diversification and a range of injustices along communities living in the coastline provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The sewing machine project, in particular, provided a rapid response, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, to the self-identified and prioritised livelihood needs of women in two small-scale fishing communities, allowing them to secure livelihoods as a safety-net that remains crucial after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, to fill gaps between fishing seasons. Such additional livelihoods are particularly important for single mothers in fishing communities. Even during fishing season, small-scale fishing cooperatives are still facing several challenges to ensure their economic viability. The Chairperson of the Sophakama sewing project, Thembakazi Paliso, said: "We received 8 sewing machines among 20 women, so we divided ourselves in two training groups. Within two weeks, we learnt to make handbags, cushions, cushion covers, aprons and reusable sanitary pads." One of the trainers, also from the Sophakama sewing project, Ntombizanele Ntshokoma, added: "Most women in our group never had an opportunity to sew in their life and in two weeks they were able to produce items for sale. We can see that this project is sustainable." The Chairperson of the "Women in the Sewing Project", Dolly Mkatha: "I have no words to thank One Ocean Hub for this project, because it has made a difference for our livelihoods and those of our children." The initial income generated under the project for each group is expected to be around 15.000 Rands (£1.400). This collaboration is changing the lives of coastal communities by providing innovative and flexible funding to establish these ocean economy diversification projects for women, (https://www.iucn.org/story/202303/supporting-small-scale-fisher-womens-livelihoods-eastern-cape-south-africa; https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/). |
| Impact | This collaboration has produced: The Lalela Ulwandle Empatheatre production (https://www.empatheatre.com/). The disciplines involved are: Law and Sociology. Blogposts summarising events and interventions developed from the collaboration: • Taryn Pereira, 'Creative solutions: how we quickly moved UN World Oceans day presentations online', https://oneoceanhub.org/creative-solutions-how-we-quickly-moved-un-world-oceans-day-presentations-online/ • Taryn Pereira, Buhle Francis and Dylan McGarry, 'The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Jackie Sunde, 'Participating in seismic shifts in ocean research and advocacy collaboration in South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Webinars: • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AAy0RDSido0 • Two panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Video links for the three panels could be found below. o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. • Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The relevant links could be found below. o The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). o Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). o Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). • Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. o Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). o Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). o Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Artistic outputs: • Lalela uLwandle short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGc0LeYPQHw • The Blue blanket short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=6s • Umkhosi Wenala short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Mapping for Justice - customary rights battle within South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs&t=10s • List of images created by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) that are included in the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop report "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf). All these artworks are untitled. In order to give a brief description about what the artwork entails when text is available in the artworks we used the first sentence. o 'What makes us unique', p.6 of the report. o 'What Special Rights do we have/require?', p.7 of the report. o 'Our vision for the next 10 years', p.8 of the report. o 'We are an afterthought of the government', p.15 of the report. o 'We demand our customary right to sea is recognised and prioritised', p.16 of the report. o 'Untitled', p.17 of the report. o 'I want to continue to live with the ocean, with my ancestors', p.18 of the report. o 'I hope you become a scientist that acknowledges your own people's knowledge', p.19 of the report. o 'I deserve to learn about the ocean with knowledge that is not just based on marine science', p.20 of the report. o 'We as fishers navigate according to the morning star, but DFFE expects us to fish 8 to 5 like office workers,' p.21 of the report. o 'We the Small-Scale Fishers, ocean stewards and defenders are trying to understand the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, sector plans have been developed, but we don't see SSF in these plans', p.21 of the report. o 'When times are rough at home, and the government offer us nothing', p.22 of the report. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Participatory Governance SOUTH AFRICA |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration explores alternative approaches to public participation in decision-making in environmental protection. Lack of meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making processes not only creates citizen apathy with respect to environmental responsibility but it also leads to low understanding of how these decisions impact livelihood activities. This collaboration develops methodologies for inclusive and participatory decision-making and also aims to include overlooked knowledge areas. Our preliminary research in South Africa has identified specific questions among coastal communities about how their needs can be included in the creation of marine protected areas, as well as how overall public participation can be ensured in Marine Protected Area management, as well as other policy processes in coastal and marine enviroments. These questions have informed further inter- and trans-disciplinary marine and social science research on the need and process for the designation of new marine protected areas in South Africa. The pilot Emphatheatre research sought to demonstrate what meaningful, robust participatory decision- making forums could and should look like, as a counter-process to the superficial 'tick-box' approach to public consultation that characterises many ocean governance processes in South Africa. Researchers are careful not to take a particular stand on whether developments/exploration/protection measures should go ahead or not - instead, we provide the forum for unheard interests to come to the fore. In 2020, a test case emerged from the pilot that led to a petition for review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) that approved exploratory deep-sea drilling offshore oil and gas licenses in South Africa. Through this activity we have been able to identify specific research questions about how local-level needs can be included in decision-making over extractives and the creation of marine protected areas. Namely, the integration of intangible cultural heritage, protection of livelihoods. In 2020, this partnership expanded to address: women's rights and livelihoods; community participation in the management of marine protected areas; strategic participation in the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan process, as well as supporting coastal communities' participation in challenging exclusive decision-making processes relating to UNESCO World Heritage Site governance. From 2020to 2023, Hub early career researcher, Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) worked with a group of women artisanal fishers, drawing on three years of collaboration through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) - a knowledge-action network of small-scale fishers, environmental justice organisations and Hub researchers. The women have long histories and local ecological knowledge of the ocean, linked to their seaweed harvesting practices that are currently being exploited, with little benefit coming back to them. This is particularly distressing, as South Africa is experiencing massive and unprecedented climate emergencies (flooding and droughts) and in this context women, who for generations have relied on the ocean as a rural safety net, and food security source (not to mention a site of spiritual and cultural sustenance), are now deeply threatened. All this makes their climate adaptation particularly difficult, and requires a sophisticated and strategic response and intervention. This co-designed study aims to build capacity, legal empowerment and meaningful climate adaptation strategies moving forward. The project entails a collaborative analysis to better protect the human rights of small-scale fisher women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa by: • identifying how to share fairly and equitably the benefits from seaweed harvesting; • clarifying the conditions for the protection also of their human right to a healthy ocean, livelihoods and culture; • advancing legal empowerment and supporting transformative dialogue with national and local ocean decision-makers through novel arts-based research approaches and decolonial historical analyses within local cooperative cultures; and • co-developing climate change adaptation strategies based on secure marine livelihoods. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-brings-hub-researcher-buhle-francis-to-the-uk-to-deepen-research-on-justice-gender-and-ocean-livelihoods/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/. Through this collaboration women in coastal communities were able to share their livelihoods concerns, related to not being able to carry out fisheries work (in fishing processing factories/industries, and buying and selling fish) and have access to the ocean because of the lockdown restrictions during COVID 19 pandemic, but also because traditionally their roles in the fishing value chain are often limited to post-harvest fishing work. Buhle facilitated a conversation among the two communities of women about a menu of possible complementary livelihood projects, with sewing emerging as a priority. They then collaborated on a project proposal submitted to the Hub's Flexible Fund, which allowed to mobilise two pilot projects in Gqeberha ("Women in the Sewing Project": 20 women that are part of the fishing cooperative and 6 women who are married to fishermen that are not part of the cooperatives) and Hamburg (Sophakama - "Let's raise" - sewing project; 22 women from an aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives). Eight sewing machines and an overlock were provided to each group, as well as capacity building. Keiskamma at Art Centre (which also created Our Sacred Ocean, a magnificent tapestry under the Hub's DEEP Fund project) partnered with both groups and provided the initial training (one training session was hosted at the Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training at Nelson Mandela University). To support the launch of these enterprises, the Environmental Learning and Research Centre of Rhodes University made a large order for cushions and cushion covers, as well as reusable sanitary pads, from both groups and hosted a training of trainers for four selected women in October 2022. Women in both groups have trained other women in their communities, and the two groups are also sharing skills with one another. Each group created a 7-member committee (with chairperson and deputy, treasurer and secretariat) and obtained registration as a legal entity (in the form of a cooperative), with a view to continuing the enterprise after the project and gaining access to government support moving forward. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education & Training, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK), UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa; Masifundise, South Africa; Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives, South Africa; The Beach Coop, South Africa; Save the West Coast, South Africa; The Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; WOMIN - Woman in Mining, South Africa; The Collective, South Africa; Green Connection, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa; Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa; Zingiza Educational Trust, South Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A series of meetings with local NGOs, community representatives and international NGOs provided an opportunity for One Ocean Hub Co-Is to learn about the law-related needs of the NGOs appealing the decision, as well as about the variety of legal arguments that could be explored in the appeal (NGO appellants focused on international climate change law and constitutional human rights law, for instance). One Ocean Hub researchers from a range of disciplines were requested to share their expertise with regards to the EIA's technical reports on fisheries impact marine ecology impact/heritage impact. International investment law experts from the OOH (IIED) discussed international investment law perspectives, which have implications at the national and local level. All Hub Co-Is who wished to do so, were invited to contribute to the appeal in their personal capacity. Through the work of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), Hub researchers have held a womxn's coastal justice workshop on 15 April 2021 with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). This has led the womxn to gain self-confidence, practice self-care, and support each other as they diversify and extend to other supplementary livelihood, a sewing project. The workshop created an environment where fisher womxn were able to make decisions independently for their benefit and society. This has contributed in strengthening their sense of identity as demonstrated by their decision to name themselves "Women In Sea Sewing Project (WISSP)". Womxn fishers have come up with their own bylaws (a mini-constitution) which guides them and have opened a bank account. The CJN also ran a series of regional workshops with small-scale fishers in different coastal provinces in South Africa. These regional workshops culminated into a national workshop that took place in October 2023. The CJN also supported SSF participation in the management of: a) Amathole MPA: In March-May 2021, Hub reseaerchers co-designed with South Africa's Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency a follow-up consultation with 6 SSF cooperative leaders (Siyaphambili, Benton on sea, Kiwane, Mlibo, KeiMout, and Siyazama Aquaculture cooperatives) from the Eastern Cape on a draft MPA management plan that had not included their views. This was an unprecedented move by a managing agency in South Africa, exceeding current legal requirements. The Network organised a planning workshop with SSF leaders (Hamburg, May 2021), using participatory mapping to make the draft MPA management plan available in the local language (isiXhosa). SSF leaders paced out draft MPA maps and zones across the hall, using their bodies and other items as reference points for landmarks and noticeable boundaries. This documented their questions and concerns about relevant sections of the official MPA management plan. At the follow-up meeting, authorities received the participatory mapping and detailed comments from community members, resulting in a public commitment to include SSF leaders and other community structures in the Amathole MPA co-management forum. b) Aliwal Shoal MPA: The Network supported the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in preparing responses to the Aliwal Shoal MPA Draft Management Plan and obtaining a dedicated meeting to address these concerns with DFFE and the MPA management authority (Ezimvelo). The Network supported the Forum with crafting an agenda in which SSF representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base (particularly around fish stock and species management - see Research Case 2). The meeting (June 2021) was facilitated by Hub researcher Erwin at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, DFFE and Ezimvelo committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. In addition, the partnership supported SSF access to squid markets. Implementation of squid catch allocations in South Africa have left SSF being unable to fish for squid for years, although their fishing practices are sustainable, ethical and socially responsible. Joining a long-standing campaign, the CJN supported fishers in responding to the latest appeal process. On 6th July 2021, the Government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. Acknowledging the CJN's support, a member of the Khoi San Fishing Cooperative remarked: "I can't thank One Ocean Hub and CJN enough for the part their played in our success and victory. They were very instrumental in our plea and argument with the department of fisheries and the counterarguments against Sasmia [South African Squid Management Industrial Association]." This collaboration is now seeking to influence the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan, notably to include environmental/climate change considerations in this process, and the representation of indigenous knowledge holders. In February 2022, a national workshop hosted by SDCEA aimed to develop a united strategy of improving participation in ocean governance, particularly around the Oil and Gas exploration in the OEMP. Hub researchers involved in the CJN were invited to contribute to develop the strategy with communities, CBOs and legal-aid NGOs, in how they are engaging national decision making processes. Community representatives specifically asked the Hub to contribute to the implementation of the strategy with: ocean literacy and legal empowerment support tools, and on-demand expert advice on marine ecology and fishery sciences around the impacts of oil and gas exploration and cumulative activities impact on fisheries - specifically Hake, snoek, squid, (and any other species used for food or livelihoods and the social dimensions of an ecosystems approach to marine governance. They also asked the Hub to continue to develop new research on ocean culture to support efforts for inclusion of SSFs' customary practices, rights and knowledge in national decision making; and to prepare accessible, short information pieces for fishers to draw out the links between fishers' own experiences of not being consulted and international law (which will be replied as part of the Hub's cooperation with FAO). In addition, a new transdisciplinary team (that includes legal-aid NGOs and other CBOs, Fisher leaders) emerged to work on various participatory efforts in four MPAs (IsiMangaliso, Aliwal Shoal, Amatola, Tsitsikamma, and St Helena Baai), along with other community-led conservation opportunities. From 2021 to 2023, Hub researchers in South Africa have been actively creating a range of innovative tools such as a database of mining applications (Sowman et al, 2023), counter-hegemonic mapping of marine protected area (Pereira et al 2021), theatre (UN World Oceans Day, 2023) and public storytelling (McGarry et al 2022), and guidelines on the protection of customary fishing rights (Sunde, forthcoming), to facilitate inclusion of small-scale fishers in ocean governance and provide accessible and transparent databases for small-scale fishers and their communities. These tools are reported separately under the "Methods and tools" section. , On 25-26 October 2023, the Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. The organisation of the workshop was led by Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman from University of Cape Town, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (UCT EGS), in collaboration with Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dylan McGarry from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Irna Senekal from Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training - (CIPSET), and Kira Erwin from Durban University of Technology (DUT). It built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023. This workshop was intended as a space to enable leaders to articulate a national position and speak with one voice on relevant aspects of these policy processes. There were 35 fisher participants present, from four coastal provinces of South Africa. There were also 20 civil society and researcher participants, from a range of organisations that work in support of small-scale fishers, including Legal Resources Centre and Natural Justice who are formal Hub partners, as well as Masifundise Development Trust, Green Connection, and the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic. Key messages from this workshop could be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tOj49x1bc. A full report of the workshop can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf. Among other things, the report is quite innovative in including visual art-work co-developed by researchers and fishers during the workshop to capture salient points in the discussions. In December 2023, Hub researchers worked in collaboration with Indigenous and local community representatives, local co-operatives and NGOs in co-developing community maps of Culturally Significant Areas along coast of Algoa Bay and uThukela to add socio-cultural layer and integrate Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge to Marine Spatial Planning. A set of Guidelines on the recognition of Customary Fishing Rights in South Africa is in progress (Sunde, forthcoming). This will draw on the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - see separate entry "Better protecting SSFs' human rights" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-scale Fishers") amongst other international instruments. Notable policy and law-making impacts have been achieved from this collaboration. As noted above, as a result of research, engagement and advocacy efforts, on 6 July 2021, the Government of South Africa announced a change to the squid catch allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. From 2022 to 2023, one of the innovative tools to facilitate small-scale fishers' and local communities' participation in ocean governance -namely the Empatheatre's Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) play - has been performed at various international processes including the UN Climate COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at FAO HQs in Rome, and the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day (2023). At national level, Lalela uLwandle was cited as evidence of the increasing recognition of the cultural and spiritual significance of the ocean intangible cultural heritage in a court case in South Africa, contributing to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/). This is also reported under a separate entry "Sustaining South Africa's small-scale fishing communities." Key messages derived from CJN national workshop in October 2023 will be developed as resources that can be used by small-scale fishers in their policy engagements and in their own decision-making processes. It is anticipated that these resources will be a lasting legacy for small-scale fishers and coastal communities with whom One Ocean Hub has worked over the past five years. A summary of key messages and findings emerged from the workshop will also be shared by the Hub at the international Small-Scale Fishers Summit organized by FAO in Italy in July 2024. This collaboration promotes gender equality and directly contributes to the local economy as it directly engages and proactively responds to ocean livelihood diversification and a range of injustices along communities living in the coastline provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The sewing machine project, in particular, provided a rapid response, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, to the self-identified and prioritised livelihood needs of women in two small-scale fishing communities, allowing them to secure livelihoods as a safety-net that remains crucial after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, to fill gaps between fishing seasons. Such additional livelihoods are particularly important for single mothers in fishing communities. Even during fishing season, small-scale fishing cooperatives are still facing several challenges to ensure their economic viability. The Chairperson of the Sophakama sewing project, Thembakazi Paliso, said: "We received 8 sewing machines among 20 women, so we divided ourselves in two training groups. Within two weeks, we learnt to make handbags, cushions, cushion covers, aprons and reusable sanitary pads." One of the trainers, also from the Sophakama sewing project, Ntombizanele Ntshokoma, added: "Most women in our group never had an opportunity to sew in their life and in two weeks they were able to produce items for sale. We can see that this project is sustainable." The Chairperson of the "Women in the Sewing Project", Dolly Mkatha: "I have no words to thank One Ocean Hub for this project, because it has made a difference for our livelihoods and those of our children." The initial income generated under the project for each group is expected to be around 15.000 Rands (£1.400). This collaboration is changing the lives of coastal communities by providing innovative and flexible funding to establish these ocean economy diversification projects for women, (https://www.iucn.org/story/202303/supporting-small-scale-fisher-womens-livelihoods-eastern-cape-south-africa; https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/). |
| Impact | This collaboration has produced: The Lalela Ulwandle Empatheatre production (https://www.empatheatre.com/). The disciplines involved are: Law and Sociology. Blogposts summarising events and interventions developed from the collaboration: • Taryn Pereira, 'Creative solutions: how we quickly moved UN World Oceans day presentations online', https://oneoceanhub.org/creative-solutions-how-we-quickly-moved-un-world-oceans-day-presentations-online/ • Taryn Pereira, Buhle Francis and Dylan McGarry, 'The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Jackie Sunde, 'Participating in seismic shifts in ocean research and advocacy collaboration in South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Webinars: • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AAy0RDSido0 • Two panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Video links for the three panels could be found below. o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. • Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The relevant links could be found below. o The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). o Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). o Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). • Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. o Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). o Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). o Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Artistic outputs: • Lalela uLwandle short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGc0LeYPQHw • The Blue blanket short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=6s • Umkhosi Wenala short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Mapping for Justice - customary rights battle within South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs&t=10s • List of images created by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) that are included in the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop report "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf). All these artworks are untitled. In order to give a brief description about what the artwork entails when text is available in the artworks we used the first sentence. o 'What makes us unique', p.6 of the report. o 'What Special Rights do we have/require?', p.7 of the report. o 'Our vision for the next 10 years', p.8 of the report. o 'We are an afterthought of the government', p.15 of the report. o 'We demand our customary right to sea is recognised and prioritised', p.16 of the report. o 'Untitled', p.17 of the report. o 'I want to continue to live with the ocean, with my ancestors', p.18 of the report. o 'I hope you become a scientist that acknowledges your own people's knowledge', p.19 of the report. o 'I deserve to learn about the ocean with knowledge that is not just based on marine science', p.20 of the report. o 'We as fishers navigate according to the morning star, but DFFE expects us to fish 8 to 5 like office workers,' p.21 of the report. o 'We the Small-Scale Fishers, ocean stewards and defenders are trying to understand the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, sector plans have been developed, but we don't see SSF in these plans', p.21 of the report. o 'When times are rough at home, and the government offer us nothing', p.22 of the report. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Participatory Governance SOUTH AFRICA |
| Organisation | South African National Biodiversity Institute |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration explores alternative approaches to public participation in decision-making in environmental protection. Lack of meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making processes not only creates citizen apathy with respect to environmental responsibility but it also leads to low understanding of how these decisions impact livelihood activities. This collaboration develops methodologies for inclusive and participatory decision-making and also aims to include overlooked knowledge areas. Our preliminary research in South Africa has identified specific questions among coastal communities about how their needs can be included in the creation of marine protected areas, as well as how overall public participation can be ensured in Marine Protected Area management, as well as other policy processes in coastal and marine enviroments. These questions have informed further inter- and trans-disciplinary marine and social science research on the need and process for the designation of new marine protected areas in South Africa. The pilot Emphatheatre research sought to demonstrate what meaningful, robust participatory decision- making forums could and should look like, as a counter-process to the superficial 'tick-box' approach to public consultation that characterises many ocean governance processes in South Africa. Researchers are careful not to take a particular stand on whether developments/exploration/protection measures should go ahead or not - instead, we provide the forum for unheard interests to come to the fore. In 2020, a test case emerged from the pilot that led to a petition for review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) that approved exploratory deep-sea drilling offshore oil and gas licenses in South Africa. Through this activity we have been able to identify specific research questions about how local-level needs can be included in decision-making over extractives and the creation of marine protected areas. Namely, the integration of intangible cultural heritage, protection of livelihoods. In 2020, this partnership expanded to address: women's rights and livelihoods; community participation in the management of marine protected areas; strategic participation in the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan process, as well as supporting coastal communities' participation in challenging exclusive decision-making processes relating to UNESCO World Heritage Site governance. From 2020to 2023, Hub early career researcher, Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) worked with a group of women artisanal fishers, drawing on three years of collaboration through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) - a knowledge-action network of small-scale fishers, environmental justice organisations and Hub researchers. The women have long histories and local ecological knowledge of the ocean, linked to their seaweed harvesting practices that are currently being exploited, with little benefit coming back to them. This is particularly distressing, as South Africa is experiencing massive and unprecedented climate emergencies (flooding and droughts) and in this context women, who for generations have relied on the ocean as a rural safety net, and food security source (not to mention a site of spiritual and cultural sustenance), are now deeply threatened. All this makes their climate adaptation particularly difficult, and requires a sophisticated and strategic response and intervention. This co-designed study aims to build capacity, legal empowerment and meaningful climate adaptation strategies moving forward. The project entails a collaborative analysis to better protect the human rights of small-scale fisher women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa by: • identifying how to share fairly and equitably the benefits from seaweed harvesting; • clarifying the conditions for the protection also of their human right to a healthy ocean, livelihoods and culture; • advancing legal empowerment and supporting transformative dialogue with national and local ocean decision-makers through novel arts-based research approaches and decolonial historical analyses within local cooperative cultures; and • co-developing climate change adaptation strategies based on secure marine livelihoods. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-brings-hub-researcher-buhle-francis-to-the-uk-to-deepen-research-on-justice-gender-and-ocean-livelihoods/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/. Through this collaboration women in coastal communities were able to share their livelihoods concerns, related to not being able to carry out fisheries work (in fishing processing factories/industries, and buying and selling fish) and have access to the ocean because of the lockdown restrictions during COVID 19 pandemic, but also because traditionally their roles in the fishing value chain are often limited to post-harvest fishing work. Buhle facilitated a conversation among the two communities of women about a menu of possible complementary livelihood projects, with sewing emerging as a priority. They then collaborated on a project proposal submitted to the Hub's Flexible Fund, which allowed to mobilise two pilot projects in Gqeberha ("Women in the Sewing Project": 20 women that are part of the fishing cooperative and 6 women who are married to fishermen that are not part of the cooperatives) and Hamburg (Sophakama - "Let's raise" - sewing project; 22 women from an aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives). Eight sewing machines and an overlock were provided to each group, as well as capacity building. Keiskamma at Art Centre (which also created Our Sacred Ocean, a magnificent tapestry under the Hub's DEEP Fund project) partnered with both groups and provided the initial training (one training session was hosted at the Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training at Nelson Mandela University). To support the launch of these enterprises, the Environmental Learning and Research Centre of Rhodes University made a large order for cushions and cushion covers, as well as reusable sanitary pads, from both groups and hosted a training of trainers for four selected women in October 2022. Women in both groups have trained other women in their communities, and the two groups are also sharing skills with one another. Each group created a 7-member committee (with chairperson and deputy, treasurer and secretariat) and obtained registration as a legal entity (in the form of a cooperative), with a view to continuing the enterprise after the project and gaining access to government support moving forward. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education & Training, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK), UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa; Masifundise, South Africa; Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives, South Africa; The Beach Coop, South Africa; Save the West Coast, South Africa; The Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; WOMIN - Woman in Mining, South Africa; The Collective, South Africa; Green Connection, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa; Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa; Zingiza Educational Trust, South Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A series of meetings with local NGOs, community representatives and international NGOs provided an opportunity for One Ocean Hub Co-Is to learn about the law-related needs of the NGOs appealing the decision, as well as about the variety of legal arguments that could be explored in the appeal (NGO appellants focused on international climate change law and constitutional human rights law, for instance). One Ocean Hub researchers from a range of disciplines were requested to share their expertise with regards to the EIA's technical reports on fisheries impact marine ecology impact/heritage impact. International investment law experts from the OOH (IIED) discussed international investment law perspectives, which have implications at the national and local level. All Hub Co-Is who wished to do so, were invited to contribute to the appeal in their personal capacity. Through the work of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), Hub researchers have held a womxn's coastal justice workshop on 15 April 2021 with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). This has led the womxn to gain self-confidence, practice self-care, and support each other as they diversify and extend to other supplementary livelihood, a sewing project. The workshop created an environment where fisher womxn were able to make decisions independently for their benefit and society. This has contributed in strengthening their sense of identity as demonstrated by their decision to name themselves "Women In Sea Sewing Project (WISSP)". Womxn fishers have come up with their own bylaws (a mini-constitution) which guides them and have opened a bank account. The CJN also ran a series of regional workshops with small-scale fishers in different coastal provinces in South Africa. These regional workshops culminated into a national workshop that took place in October 2023. The CJN also supported SSF participation in the management of: a) Amathole MPA: In March-May 2021, Hub reseaerchers co-designed with South Africa's Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency a follow-up consultation with 6 SSF cooperative leaders (Siyaphambili, Benton on sea, Kiwane, Mlibo, KeiMout, and Siyazama Aquaculture cooperatives) from the Eastern Cape on a draft MPA management plan that had not included their views. This was an unprecedented move by a managing agency in South Africa, exceeding current legal requirements. The Network organised a planning workshop with SSF leaders (Hamburg, May 2021), using participatory mapping to make the draft MPA management plan available in the local language (isiXhosa). SSF leaders paced out draft MPA maps and zones across the hall, using their bodies and other items as reference points for landmarks and noticeable boundaries. This documented their questions and concerns about relevant sections of the official MPA management plan. At the follow-up meeting, authorities received the participatory mapping and detailed comments from community members, resulting in a public commitment to include SSF leaders and other community structures in the Amathole MPA co-management forum. b) Aliwal Shoal MPA: The Network supported the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in preparing responses to the Aliwal Shoal MPA Draft Management Plan and obtaining a dedicated meeting to address these concerns with DFFE and the MPA management authority (Ezimvelo). The Network supported the Forum with crafting an agenda in which SSF representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base (particularly around fish stock and species management - see Research Case 2). The meeting (June 2021) was facilitated by Hub researcher Erwin at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, DFFE and Ezimvelo committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. In addition, the partnership supported SSF access to squid markets. Implementation of squid catch allocations in South Africa have left SSF being unable to fish for squid for years, although their fishing practices are sustainable, ethical and socially responsible. Joining a long-standing campaign, the CJN supported fishers in responding to the latest appeal process. On 6th July 2021, the Government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. Acknowledging the CJN's support, a member of the Khoi San Fishing Cooperative remarked: "I can't thank One Ocean Hub and CJN enough for the part their played in our success and victory. They were very instrumental in our plea and argument with the department of fisheries and the counterarguments against Sasmia [South African Squid Management Industrial Association]." This collaboration is now seeking to influence the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan, notably to include environmental/climate change considerations in this process, and the representation of indigenous knowledge holders. In February 2022, a national workshop hosted by SDCEA aimed to develop a united strategy of improving participation in ocean governance, particularly around the Oil and Gas exploration in the OEMP. Hub researchers involved in the CJN were invited to contribute to develop the strategy with communities, CBOs and legal-aid NGOs, in how they are engaging national decision making processes. Community representatives specifically asked the Hub to contribute to the implementation of the strategy with: ocean literacy and legal empowerment support tools, and on-demand expert advice on marine ecology and fishery sciences around the impacts of oil and gas exploration and cumulative activities impact on fisheries - specifically Hake, snoek, squid, (and any other species used for food or livelihoods and the social dimensions of an ecosystems approach to marine governance. They also asked the Hub to continue to develop new research on ocean culture to support efforts for inclusion of SSFs' customary practices, rights and knowledge in national decision making; and to prepare accessible, short information pieces for fishers to draw out the links between fishers' own experiences of not being consulted and international law (which will be replied as part of the Hub's cooperation with FAO). In addition, a new transdisciplinary team (that includes legal-aid NGOs and other CBOs, Fisher leaders) emerged to work on various participatory efforts in four MPAs (IsiMangaliso, Aliwal Shoal, Amatola, Tsitsikamma, and St Helena Baai), along with other community-led conservation opportunities. From 2021 to 2023, Hub researchers in South Africa have been actively creating a range of innovative tools such as a database of mining applications (Sowman et al, 2023), counter-hegemonic mapping of marine protected area (Pereira et al 2021), theatre (UN World Oceans Day, 2023) and public storytelling (McGarry et al 2022), and guidelines on the protection of customary fishing rights (Sunde, forthcoming), to facilitate inclusion of small-scale fishers in ocean governance and provide accessible and transparent databases for small-scale fishers and their communities. These tools are reported separately under the "Methods and tools" section. , On 25-26 October 2023, the Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. The organisation of the workshop was led by Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman from University of Cape Town, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (UCT EGS), in collaboration with Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dylan McGarry from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Irna Senekal from Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training - (CIPSET), and Kira Erwin from Durban University of Technology (DUT). It built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023. This workshop was intended as a space to enable leaders to articulate a national position and speak with one voice on relevant aspects of these policy processes. There were 35 fisher participants present, from four coastal provinces of South Africa. There were also 20 civil society and researcher participants, from a range of organisations that work in support of small-scale fishers, including Legal Resources Centre and Natural Justice who are formal Hub partners, as well as Masifundise Development Trust, Green Connection, and the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic. Key messages from this workshop could be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tOj49x1bc. A full report of the workshop can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf. Among other things, the report is quite innovative in including visual art-work co-developed by researchers and fishers during the workshop to capture salient points in the discussions. In December 2023, Hub researchers worked in collaboration with Indigenous and local community representatives, local co-operatives and NGOs in co-developing community maps of Culturally Significant Areas along coast of Algoa Bay and uThukela to add socio-cultural layer and integrate Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge to Marine Spatial Planning. A set of Guidelines on the recognition of Customary Fishing Rights in South Africa is in progress (Sunde, forthcoming). This will draw on the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - see separate entry "Better protecting SSFs' human rights" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-scale Fishers") amongst other international instruments. Notable policy and law-making impacts have been achieved from this collaboration. As noted above, as a result of research, engagement and advocacy efforts, on 6 July 2021, the Government of South Africa announced a change to the squid catch allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. From 2022 to 2023, one of the innovative tools to facilitate small-scale fishers' and local communities' participation in ocean governance -namely the Empatheatre's Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) play - has been performed at various international processes including the UN Climate COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at FAO HQs in Rome, and the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day (2023). At national level, Lalela uLwandle was cited as evidence of the increasing recognition of the cultural and spiritual significance of the ocean intangible cultural heritage in a court case in South Africa, contributing to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/). This is also reported under a separate entry "Sustaining South Africa's small-scale fishing communities." Key messages derived from CJN national workshop in October 2023 will be developed as resources that can be used by small-scale fishers in their policy engagements and in their own decision-making processes. It is anticipated that these resources will be a lasting legacy for small-scale fishers and coastal communities with whom One Ocean Hub has worked over the past five years. A summary of key messages and findings emerged from the workshop will also be shared by the Hub at the international Small-Scale Fishers Summit organized by FAO in Italy in July 2024. This collaboration promotes gender equality and directly contributes to the local economy as it directly engages and proactively responds to ocean livelihood diversification and a range of injustices along communities living in the coastline provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The sewing machine project, in particular, provided a rapid response, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, to the self-identified and prioritised livelihood needs of women in two small-scale fishing communities, allowing them to secure livelihoods as a safety-net that remains crucial after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, to fill gaps between fishing seasons. Such additional livelihoods are particularly important for single mothers in fishing communities. Even during fishing season, small-scale fishing cooperatives are still facing several challenges to ensure their economic viability. The Chairperson of the Sophakama sewing project, Thembakazi Paliso, said: "We received 8 sewing machines among 20 women, so we divided ourselves in two training groups. Within two weeks, we learnt to make handbags, cushions, cushion covers, aprons and reusable sanitary pads." One of the trainers, also from the Sophakama sewing project, Ntombizanele Ntshokoma, added: "Most women in our group never had an opportunity to sew in their life and in two weeks they were able to produce items for sale. We can see that this project is sustainable." The Chairperson of the "Women in the Sewing Project", Dolly Mkatha: "I have no words to thank One Ocean Hub for this project, because it has made a difference for our livelihoods and those of our children." The initial income generated under the project for each group is expected to be around 15.000 Rands (£1.400). This collaboration is changing the lives of coastal communities by providing innovative and flexible funding to establish these ocean economy diversification projects for women, (https://www.iucn.org/story/202303/supporting-small-scale-fisher-womens-livelihoods-eastern-cape-south-africa; https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/). |
| Impact | This collaboration has produced: The Lalela Ulwandle Empatheatre production (https://www.empatheatre.com/). The disciplines involved are: Law and Sociology. Blogposts summarising events and interventions developed from the collaboration: • Taryn Pereira, 'Creative solutions: how we quickly moved UN World Oceans day presentations online', https://oneoceanhub.org/creative-solutions-how-we-quickly-moved-un-world-oceans-day-presentations-online/ • Taryn Pereira, Buhle Francis and Dylan McGarry, 'The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Jackie Sunde, 'Participating in seismic shifts in ocean research and advocacy collaboration in South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Webinars: • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AAy0RDSido0 • Two panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Video links for the three panels could be found below. o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. • Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The relevant links could be found below. o The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). o Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). o Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). • Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. o Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). o Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). o Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Artistic outputs: • Lalela uLwandle short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGc0LeYPQHw • The Blue blanket short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=6s • Umkhosi Wenala short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Mapping for Justice - customary rights battle within South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs&t=10s • List of images created by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) that are included in the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop report "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf). All these artworks are untitled. In order to give a brief description about what the artwork entails when text is available in the artworks we used the first sentence. o 'What makes us unique', p.6 of the report. o 'What Special Rights do we have/require?', p.7 of the report. o 'Our vision for the next 10 years', p.8 of the report. o 'We are an afterthought of the government', p.15 of the report. o 'We demand our customary right to sea is recognised and prioritised', p.16 of the report. o 'Untitled', p.17 of the report. o 'I want to continue to live with the ocean, with my ancestors', p.18 of the report. o 'I hope you become a scientist that acknowledges your own people's knowledge', p.19 of the report. o 'I deserve to learn about the ocean with knowledge that is not just based on marine science', p.20 of the report. o 'We as fishers navigate according to the morning star, but DFFE expects us to fish 8 to 5 like office workers,' p.21 of the report. o 'We the Small-Scale Fishers, ocean stewards and defenders are trying to understand the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, sector plans have been developed, but we don't see SSF in these plans', p.21 of the report. o 'When times are rough at home, and the government offer us nothing', p.22 of the report. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Participatory Governance SOUTH AFRICA |
| Organisation | South Durban Community Environmental Alliance |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration explores alternative approaches to public participation in decision-making in environmental protection. Lack of meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making processes not only creates citizen apathy with respect to environmental responsibility but it also leads to low understanding of how these decisions impact livelihood activities. This collaboration develops methodologies for inclusive and participatory decision-making and also aims to include overlooked knowledge areas. Our preliminary research in South Africa has identified specific questions among coastal communities about how their needs can be included in the creation of marine protected areas, as well as how overall public participation can be ensured in Marine Protected Area management, as well as other policy processes in coastal and marine enviroments. These questions have informed further inter- and trans-disciplinary marine and social science research on the need and process for the designation of new marine protected areas in South Africa. The pilot Emphatheatre research sought to demonstrate what meaningful, robust participatory decision- making forums could and should look like, as a counter-process to the superficial 'tick-box' approach to public consultation that characterises many ocean governance processes in South Africa. Researchers are careful not to take a particular stand on whether developments/exploration/protection measures should go ahead or not - instead, we provide the forum for unheard interests to come to the fore. In 2020, a test case emerged from the pilot that led to a petition for review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) that approved exploratory deep-sea drilling offshore oil and gas licenses in South Africa. Through this activity we have been able to identify specific research questions about how local-level needs can be included in decision-making over extractives and the creation of marine protected areas. Namely, the integration of intangible cultural heritage, protection of livelihoods. In 2020, this partnership expanded to address: women's rights and livelihoods; community participation in the management of marine protected areas; strategic participation in the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan process, as well as supporting coastal communities' participation in challenging exclusive decision-making processes relating to UNESCO World Heritage Site governance. From 2020to 2023, Hub early career researcher, Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) worked with a group of women artisanal fishers, drawing on three years of collaboration through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) - a knowledge-action network of small-scale fishers, environmental justice organisations and Hub researchers. The women have long histories and local ecological knowledge of the ocean, linked to their seaweed harvesting practices that are currently being exploited, with little benefit coming back to them. This is particularly distressing, as South Africa is experiencing massive and unprecedented climate emergencies (flooding and droughts) and in this context women, who for generations have relied on the ocean as a rural safety net, and food security source (not to mention a site of spiritual and cultural sustenance), are now deeply threatened. All this makes their climate adaptation particularly difficult, and requires a sophisticated and strategic response and intervention. This co-designed study aims to build capacity, legal empowerment and meaningful climate adaptation strategies moving forward. The project entails a collaborative analysis to better protect the human rights of small-scale fisher women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa by: • identifying how to share fairly and equitably the benefits from seaweed harvesting; • clarifying the conditions for the protection also of their human right to a healthy ocean, livelihoods and culture; • advancing legal empowerment and supporting transformative dialogue with national and local ocean decision-makers through novel arts-based research approaches and decolonial historical analyses within local cooperative cultures; and • co-developing climate change adaptation strategies based on secure marine livelihoods. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-brings-hub-researcher-buhle-francis-to-the-uk-to-deepen-research-on-justice-gender-and-ocean-livelihoods/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/. Through this collaboration women in coastal communities were able to share their livelihoods concerns, related to not being able to carry out fisheries work (in fishing processing factories/industries, and buying and selling fish) and have access to the ocean because of the lockdown restrictions during COVID 19 pandemic, but also because traditionally their roles in the fishing value chain are often limited to post-harvest fishing work. Buhle facilitated a conversation among the two communities of women about a menu of possible complementary livelihood projects, with sewing emerging as a priority. They then collaborated on a project proposal submitted to the Hub's Flexible Fund, which allowed to mobilise two pilot projects in Gqeberha ("Women in the Sewing Project": 20 women that are part of the fishing cooperative and 6 women who are married to fishermen that are not part of the cooperatives) and Hamburg (Sophakama - "Let's raise" - sewing project; 22 women from an aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives). Eight sewing machines and an overlock were provided to each group, as well as capacity building. Keiskamma at Art Centre (which also created Our Sacred Ocean, a magnificent tapestry under the Hub's DEEP Fund project) partnered with both groups and provided the initial training (one training session was hosted at the Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training at Nelson Mandela University). To support the launch of these enterprises, the Environmental Learning and Research Centre of Rhodes University made a large order for cushions and cushion covers, as well as reusable sanitary pads, from both groups and hosted a training of trainers for four selected women in October 2022. Women in both groups have trained other women in their communities, and the two groups are also sharing skills with one another. Each group created a 7-member committee (with chairperson and deputy, treasurer and secretariat) and obtained registration as a legal entity (in the form of a cooperative), with a view to continuing the enterprise after the project and gaining access to government support moving forward. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education & Training, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK), UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa; Masifundise, South Africa; Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives, South Africa; The Beach Coop, South Africa; Save the West Coast, South Africa; The Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; WOMIN - Woman in Mining, South Africa; The Collective, South Africa; Green Connection, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa; Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa; Zingiza Educational Trust, South Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A series of meetings with local NGOs, community representatives and international NGOs provided an opportunity for One Ocean Hub Co-Is to learn about the law-related needs of the NGOs appealing the decision, as well as about the variety of legal arguments that could be explored in the appeal (NGO appellants focused on international climate change law and constitutional human rights law, for instance). One Ocean Hub researchers from a range of disciplines were requested to share their expertise with regards to the EIA's technical reports on fisheries impact marine ecology impact/heritage impact. International investment law experts from the OOH (IIED) discussed international investment law perspectives, which have implications at the national and local level. All Hub Co-Is who wished to do so, were invited to contribute to the appeal in their personal capacity. Through the work of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), Hub researchers have held a womxn's coastal justice workshop on 15 April 2021 with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). This has led the womxn to gain self-confidence, practice self-care, and support each other as they diversify and extend to other supplementary livelihood, a sewing project. The workshop created an environment where fisher womxn were able to make decisions independently for their benefit and society. This has contributed in strengthening their sense of identity as demonstrated by their decision to name themselves "Women In Sea Sewing Project (WISSP)". Womxn fishers have come up with their own bylaws (a mini-constitution) which guides them and have opened a bank account. The CJN also ran a series of regional workshops with small-scale fishers in different coastal provinces in South Africa. These regional workshops culminated into a national workshop that took place in October 2023. The CJN also supported SSF participation in the management of: a) Amathole MPA: In March-May 2021, Hub reseaerchers co-designed with South Africa's Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency a follow-up consultation with 6 SSF cooperative leaders (Siyaphambili, Benton on sea, Kiwane, Mlibo, KeiMout, and Siyazama Aquaculture cooperatives) from the Eastern Cape on a draft MPA management plan that had not included their views. This was an unprecedented move by a managing agency in South Africa, exceeding current legal requirements. The Network organised a planning workshop with SSF leaders (Hamburg, May 2021), using participatory mapping to make the draft MPA management plan available in the local language (isiXhosa). SSF leaders paced out draft MPA maps and zones across the hall, using their bodies and other items as reference points for landmarks and noticeable boundaries. This documented their questions and concerns about relevant sections of the official MPA management plan. At the follow-up meeting, authorities received the participatory mapping and detailed comments from community members, resulting in a public commitment to include SSF leaders and other community structures in the Amathole MPA co-management forum. b) Aliwal Shoal MPA: The Network supported the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in preparing responses to the Aliwal Shoal MPA Draft Management Plan and obtaining a dedicated meeting to address these concerns with DFFE and the MPA management authority (Ezimvelo). The Network supported the Forum with crafting an agenda in which SSF representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base (particularly around fish stock and species management - see Research Case 2). The meeting (June 2021) was facilitated by Hub researcher Erwin at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, DFFE and Ezimvelo committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. In addition, the partnership supported SSF access to squid markets. Implementation of squid catch allocations in South Africa have left SSF being unable to fish for squid for years, although their fishing practices are sustainable, ethical and socially responsible. Joining a long-standing campaign, the CJN supported fishers in responding to the latest appeal process. On 6th July 2021, the Government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. Acknowledging the CJN's support, a member of the Khoi San Fishing Cooperative remarked: "I can't thank One Ocean Hub and CJN enough for the part their played in our success and victory. They were very instrumental in our plea and argument with the department of fisheries and the counterarguments against Sasmia [South African Squid Management Industrial Association]." This collaboration is now seeking to influence the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan, notably to include environmental/climate change considerations in this process, and the representation of indigenous knowledge holders. In February 2022, a national workshop hosted by SDCEA aimed to develop a united strategy of improving participation in ocean governance, particularly around the Oil and Gas exploration in the OEMP. Hub researchers involved in the CJN were invited to contribute to develop the strategy with communities, CBOs and legal-aid NGOs, in how they are engaging national decision making processes. Community representatives specifically asked the Hub to contribute to the implementation of the strategy with: ocean literacy and legal empowerment support tools, and on-demand expert advice on marine ecology and fishery sciences around the impacts of oil and gas exploration and cumulative activities impact on fisheries - specifically Hake, snoek, squid, (and any other species used for food or livelihoods and the social dimensions of an ecosystems approach to marine governance. They also asked the Hub to continue to develop new research on ocean culture to support efforts for inclusion of SSFs' customary practices, rights and knowledge in national decision making; and to prepare accessible, short information pieces for fishers to draw out the links between fishers' own experiences of not being consulted and international law (which will be replied as part of the Hub's cooperation with FAO). In addition, a new transdisciplinary team (that includes legal-aid NGOs and other CBOs, Fisher leaders) emerged to work on various participatory efforts in four MPAs (IsiMangaliso, Aliwal Shoal, Amatola, Tsitsikamma, and St Helena Baai), along with other community-led conservation opportunities. From 2021 to 2023, Hub researchers in South Africa have been actively creating a range of innovative tools such as a database of mining applications (Sowman et al, 2023), counter-hegemonic mapping of marine protected area (Pereira et al 2021), theatre (UN World Oceans Day, 2023) and public storytelling (McGarry et al 2022), and guidelines on the protection of customary fishing rights (Sunde, forthcoming), to facilitate inclusion of small-scale fishers in ocean governance and provide accessible and transparent databases for small-scale fishers and their communities. These tools are reported separately under the "Methods and tools" section. , On 25-26 October 2023, the Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. The organisation of the workshop was led by Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman from University of Cape Town, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (UCT EGS), in collaboration with Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dylan McGarry from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Irna Senekal from Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training - (CIPSET), and Kira Erwin from Durban University of Technology (DUT). It built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023. This workshop was intended as a space to enable leaders to articulate a national position and speak with one voice on relevant aspects of these policy processes. There were 35 fisher participants present, from four coastal provinces of South Africa. There were also 20 civil society and researcher participants, from a range of organisations that work in support of small-scale fishers, including Legal Resources Centre and Natural Justice who are formal Hub partners, as well as Masifundise Development Trust, Green Connection, and the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic. Key messages from this workshop could be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tOj49x1bc. A full report of the workshop can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf. Among other things, the report is quite innovative in including visual art-work co-developed by researchers and fishers during the workshop to capture salient points in the discussions. In December 2023, Hub researchers worked in collaboration with Indigenous and local community representatives, local co-operatives and NGOs in co-developing community maps of Culturally Significant Areas along coast of Algoa Bay and uThukela to add socio-cultural layer and integrate Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge to Marine Spatial Planning. A set of Guidelines on the recognition of Customary Fishing Rights in South Africa is in progress (Sunde, forthcoming). This will draw on the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - see separate entry "Better protecting SSFs' human rights" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-scale Fishers") amongst other international instruments. Notable policy and law-making impacts have been achieved from this collaboration. As noted above, as a result of research, engagement and advocacy efforts, on 6 July 2021, the Government of South Africa announced a change to the squid catch allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. From 2022 to 2023, one of the innovative tools to facilitate small-scale fishers' and local communities' participation in ocean governance -namely the Empatheatre's Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) play - has been performed at various international processes including the UN Climate COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at FAO HQs in Rome, and the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day (2023). At national level, Lalela uLwandle was cited as evidence of the increasing recognition of the cultural and spiritual significance of the ocean intangible cultural heritage in a court case in South Africa, contributing to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/). This is also reported under a separate entry "Sustaining South Africa's small-scale fishing communities." Key messages derived from CJN national workshop in October 2023 will be developed as resources that can be used by small-scale fishers in their policy engagements and in their own decision-making processes. It is anticipated that these resources will be a lasting legacy for small-scale fishers and coastal communities with whom One Ocean Hub has worked over the past five years. A summary of key messages and findings emerged from the workshop will also be shared by the Hub at the international Small-Scale Fishers Summit organized by FAO in Italy in July 2024. This collaboration promotes gender equality and directly contributes to the local economy as it directly engages and proactively responds to ocean livelihood diversification and a range of injustices along communities living in the coastline provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The sewing machine project, in particular, provided a rapid response, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, to the self-identified and prioritised livelihood needs of women in two small-scale fishing communities, allowing them to secure livelihoods as a safety-net that remains crucial after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, to fill gaps between fishing seasons. Such additional livelihoods are particularly important for single mothers in fishing communities. Even during fishing season, small-scale fishing cooperatives are still facing several challenges to ensure their economic viability. The Chairperson of the Sophakama sewing project, Thembakazi Paliso, said: "We received 8 sewing machines among 20 women, so we divided ourselves in two training groups. Within two weeks, we learnt to make handbags, cushions, cushion covers, aprons and reusable sanitary pads." One of the trainers, also from the Sophakama sewing project, Ntombizanele Ntshokoma, added: "Most women in our group never had an opportunity to sew in their life and in two weeks they were able to produce items for sale. We can see that this project is sustainable." The Chairperson of the "Women in the Sewing Project", Dolly Mkatha: "I have no words to thank One Ocean Hub for this project, because it has made a difference for our livelihoods and those of our children." The initial income generated under the project for each group is expected to be around 15.000 Rands (£1.400). This collaboration is changing the lives of coastal communities by providing innovative and flexible funding to establish these ocean economy diversification projects for women, (https://www.iucn.org/story/202303/supporting-small-scale-fisher-womens-livelihoods-eastern-cape-south-africa; https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/). |
| Impact | This collaboration has produced: The Lalela Ulwandle Empatheatre production (https://www.empatheatre.com/). The disciplines involved are: Law and Sociology. Blogposts summarising events and interventions developed from the collaboration: • Taryn Pereira, 'Creative solutions: how we quickly moved UN World Oceans day presentations online', https://oneoceanhub.org/creative-solutions-how-we-quickly-moved-un-world-oceans-day-presentations-online/ • Taryn Pereira, Buhle Francis and Dylan McGarry, 'The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Jackie Sunde, 'Participating in seismic shifts in ocean research and advocacy collaboration in South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Webinars: • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AAy0RDSido0 • Two panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Video links for the three panels could be found below. o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. • Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The relevant links could be found below. o The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). o Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). o Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). • Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. o Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). o Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). o Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Artistic outputs: • Lalela uLwandle short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGc0LeYPQHw • The Blue blanket short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=6s • Umkhosi Wenala short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Mapping for Justice - customary rights battle within South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs&t=10s • List of images created by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) that are included in the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop report "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf). All these artworks are untitled. In order to give a brief description about what the artwork entails when text is available in the artworks we used the first sentence. o 'What makes us unique', p.6 of the report. o 'What Special Rights do we have/require?', p.7 of the report. o 'Our vision for the next 10 years', p.8 of the report. o 'We are an afterthought of the government', p.15 of the report. o 'We demand our customary right to sea is recognised and prioritised', p.16 of the report. o 'Untitled', p.17 of the report. o 'I want to continue to live with the ocean, with my ancestors', p.18 of the report. o 'I hope you become a scientist that acknowledges your own people's knowledge', p.19 of the report. o 'I deserve to learn about the ocean with knowledge that is not just based on marine science', p.20 of the report. o 'We as fishers navigate according to the morning star, but DFFE expects us to fish 8 to 5 like office workers,' p.21 of the report. o 'We the Small-Scale Fishers, ocean stewards and defenders are trying to understand the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, sector plans have been developed, but we don't see SSF in these plans', p.21 of the report. o 'When times are rough at home, and the government offer us nothing', p.22 of the report. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Participatory Governance SOUTH AFRICA |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration explores alternative approaches to public participation in decision-making in environmental protection. Lack of meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making processes not only creates citizen apathy with respect to environmental responsibility but it also leads to low understanding of how these decisions impact livelihood activities. This collaboration develops methodologies for inclusive and participatory decision-making and also aims to include overlooked knowledge areas. Our preliminary research in South Africa has identified specific questions among coastal communities about how their needs can be included in the creation of marine protected areas, as well as how overall public participation can be ensured in Marine Protected Area management, as well as other policy processes in coastal and marine enviroments. These questions have informed further inter- and trans-disciplinary marine and social science research on the need and process for the designation of new marine protected areas in South Africa. The pilot Emphatheatre research sought to demonstrate what meaningful, robust participatory decision- making forums could and should look like, as a counter-process to the superficial 'tick-box' approach to public consultation that characterises many ocean governance processes in South Africa. Researchers are careful not to take a particular stand on whether developments/exploration/protection measures should go ahead or not - instead, we provide the forum for unheard interests to come to the fore. In 2020, a test case emerged from the pilot that led to a petition for review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) that approved exploratory deep-sea drilling offshore oil and gas licenses in South Africa. Through this activity we have been able to identify specific research questions about how local-level needs can be included in decision-making over extractives and the creation of marine protected areas. Namely, the integration of intangible cultural heritage, protection of livelihoods. In 2020, this partnership expanded to address: women's rights and livelihoods; community participation in the management of marine protected areas; strategic participation in the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan process, as well as supporting coastal communities' participation in challenging exclusive decision-making processes relating to UNESCO World Heritage Site governance. From 2020to 2023, Hub early career researcher, Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) worked with a group of women artisanal fishers, drawing on three years of collaboration through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) - a knowledge-action network of small-scale fishers, environmental justice organisations and Hub researchers. The women have long histories and local ecological knowledge of the ocean, linked to their seaweed harvesting practices that are currently being exploited, with little benefit coming back to them. This is particularly distressing, as South Africa is experiencing massive and unprecedented climate emergencies (flooding and droughts) and in this context women, who for generations have relied on the ocean as a rural safety net, and food security source (not to mention a site of spiritual and cultural sustenance), are now deeply threatened. All this makes their climate adaptation particularly difficult, and requires a sophisticated and strategic response and intervention. This co-designed study aims to build capacity, legal empowerment and meaningful climate adaptation strategies moving forward. The project entails a collaborative analysis to better protect the human rights of small-scale fisher women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa by: • identifying how to share fairly and equitably the benefits from seaweed harvesting; • clarifying the conditions for the protection also of their human right to a healthy ocean, livelihoods and culture; • advancing legal empowerment and supporting transformative dialogue with national and local ocean decision-makers through novel arts-based research approaches and decolonial historical analyses within local cooperative cultures; and • co-developing climate change adaptation strategies based on secure marine livelihoods. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-brings-hub-researcher-buhle-francis-to-the-uk-to-deepen-research-on-justice-gender-and-ocean-livelihoods/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/. Through this collaboration women in coastal communities were able to share their livelihoods concerns, related to not being able to carry out fisheries work (in fishing processing factories/industries, and buying and selling fish) and have access to the ocean because of the lockdown restrictions during COVID 19 pandemic, but also because traditionally their roles in the fishing value chain are often limited to post-harvest fishing work. Buhle facilitated a conversation among the two communities of women about a menu of possible complementary livelihood projects, with sewing emerging as a priority. They then collaborated on a project proposal submitted to the Hub's Flexible Fund, which allowed to mobilise two pilot projects in Gqeberha ("Women in the Sewing Project": 20 women that are part of the fishing cooperative and 6 women who are married to fishermen that are not part of the cooperatives) and Hamburg (Sophakama - "Let's raise" - sewing project; 22 women from an aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives). Eight sewing machines and an overlock were provided to each group, as well as capacity building. Keiskamma at Art Centre (which also created Our Sacred Ocean, a magnificent tapestry under the Hub's DEEP Fund project) partnered with both groups and provided the initial training (one training session was hosted at the Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training at Nelson Mandela University). To support the launch of these enterprises, the Environmental Learning and Research Centre of Rhodes University made a large order for cushions and cushion covers, as well as reusable sanitary pads, from both groups and hosted a training of trainers for four selected women in October 2022. Women in both groups have trained other women in their communities, and the two groups are also sharing skills with one another. Each group created a 7-member committee (with chairperson and deputy, treasurer and secretariat) and obtained registration as a legal entity (in the form of a cooperative), with a view to continuing the enterprise after the project and gaining access to government support moving forward. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education & Training, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK), UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa; Masifundise, South Africa; Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives, South Africa; The Beach Coop, South Africa; Save the West Coast, South Africa; The Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; WOMIN - Woman in Mining, South Africa; The Collective, South Africa; Green Connection, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa; Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa; Zingiza Educational Trust, South Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A series of meetings with local NGOs, community representatives and international NGOs provided an opportunity for One Ocean Hub Co-Is to learn about the law-related needs of the NGOs appealing the decision, as well as about the variety of legal arguments that could be explored in the appeal (NGO appellants focused on international climate change law and constitutional human rights law, for instance). One Ocean Hub researchers from a range of disciplines were requested to share their expertise with regards to the EIA's technical reports on fisheries impact marine ecology impact/heritage impact. International investment law experts from the OOH (IIED) discussed international investment law perspectives, which have implications at the national and local level. All Hub Co-Is who wished to do so, were invited to contribute to the appeal in their personal capacity. Through the work of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), Hub researchers have held a womxn's coastal justice workshop on 15 April 2021 with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). This has led the womxn to gain self-confidence, practice self-care, and support each other as they diversify and extend to other supplementary livelihood, a sewing project. The workshop created an environment where fisher womxn were able to make decisions independently for their benefit and society. This has contributed in strengthening their sense of identity as demonstrated by their decision to name themselves "Women In Sea Sewing Project (WISSP)". Womxn fishers have come up with their own bylaws (a mini-constitution) which guides them and have opened a bank account. The CJN also ran a series of regional workshops with small-scale fishers in different coastal provinces in South Africa. These regional workshops culminated into a national workshop that took place in October 2023. The CJN also supported SSF participation in the management of: a) Amathole MPA: In March-May 2021, Hub reseaerchers co-designed with South Africa's Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency a follow-up consultation with 6 SSF cooperative leaders (Siyaphambili, Benton on sea, Kiwane, Mlibo, KeiMout, and Siyazama Aquaculture cooperatives) from the Eastern Cape on a draft MPA management plan that had not included their views. This was an unprecedented move by a managing agency in South Africa, exceeding current legal requirements. The Network organised a planning workshop with SSF leaders (Hamburg, May 2021), using participatory mapping to make the draft MPA management plan available in the local language (isiXhosa). SSF leaders paced out draft MPA maps and zones across the hall, using their bodies and other items as reference points for landmarks and noticeable boundaries. This documented their questions and concerns about relevant sections of the official MPA management plan. At the follow-up meeting, authorities received the participatory mapping and detailed comments from community members, resulting in a public commitment to include SSF leaders and other community structures in the Amathole MPA co-management forum. b) Aliwal Shoal MPA: The Network supported the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in preparing responses to the Aliwal Shoal MPA Draft Management Plan and obtaining a dedicated meeting to address these concerns with DFFE and the MPA management authority (Ezimvelo). The Network supported the Forum with crafting an agenda in which SSF representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base (particularly around fish stock and species management - see Research Case 2). The meeting (June 2021) was facilitated by Hub researcher Erwin at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, DFFE and Ezimvelo committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. In addition, the partnership supported SSF access to squid markets. Implementation of squid catch allocations in South Africa have left SSF being unable to fish for squid for years, although their fishing practices are sustainable, ethical and socially responsible. Joining a long-standing campaign, the CJN supported fishers in responding to the latest appeal process. On 6th July 2021, the Government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. Acknowledging the CJN's support, a member of the Khoi San Fishing Cooperative remarked: "I can't thank One Ocean Hub and CJN enough for the part their played in our success and victory. They were very instrumental in our plea and argument with the department of fisheries and the counterarguments against Sasmia [South African Squid Management Industrial Association]." This collaboration is now seeking to influence the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan, notably to include environmental/climate change considerations in this process, and the representation of indigenous knowledge holders. In February 2022, a national workshop hosted by SDCEA aimed to develop a united strategy of improving participation in ocean governance, particularly around the Oil and Gas exploration in the OEMP. Hub researchers involved in the CJN were invited to contribute to develop the strategy with communities, CBOs and legal-aid NGOs, in how they are engaging national decision making processes. Community representatives specifically asked the Hub to contribute to the implementation of the strategy with: ocean literacy and legal empowerment support tools, and on-demand expert advice on marine ecology and fishery sciences around the impacts of oil and gas exploration and cumulative activities impact on fisheries - specifically Hake, snoek, squid, (and any other species used for food or livelihoods and the social dimensions of an ecosystems approach to marine governance. They also asked the Hub to continue to develop new research on ocean culture to support efforts for inclusion of SSFs' customary practices, rights and knowledge in national decision making; and to prepare accessible, short information pieces for fishers to draw out the links between fishers' own experiences of not being consulted and international law (which will be replied as part of the Hub's cooperation with FAO). In addition, a new transdisciplinary team (that includes legal-aid NGOs and other CBOs, Fisher leaders) emerged to work on various participatory efforts in four MPAs (IsiMangaliso, Aliwal Shoal, Amatola, Tsitsikamma, and St Helena Baai), along with other community-led conservation opportunities. From 2021 to 2023, Hub researchers in South Africa have been actively creating a range of innovative tools such as a database of mining applications (Sowman et al, 2023), counter-hegemonic mapping of marine protected area (Pereira et al 2021), theatre (UN World Oceans Day, 2023) and public storytelling (McGarry et al 2022), and guidelines on the protection of customary fishing rights (Sunde, forthcoming), to facilitate inclusion of small-scale fishers in ocean governance and provide accessible and transparent databases for small-scale fishers and their communities. These tools are reported separately under the "Methods and tools" section. , On 25-26 October 2023, the Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. The organisation of the workshop was led by Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman from University of Cape Town, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (UCT EGS), in collaboration with Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dylan McGarry from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Irna Senekal from Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training - (CIPSET), and Kira Erwin from Durban University of Technology (DUT). It built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023. This workshop was intended as a space to enable leaders to articulate a national position and speak with one voice on relevant aspects of these policy processes. There were 35 fisher participants present, from four coastal provinces of South Africa. There were also 20 civil society and researcher participants, from a range of organisations that work in support of small-scale fishers, including Legal Resources Centre and Natural Justice who are formal Hub partners, as well as Masifundise Development Trust, Green Connection, and the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic. Key messages from this workshop could be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tOj49x1bc. A full report of the workshop can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf. Among other things, the report is quite innovative in including visual art-work co-developed by researchers and fishers during the workshop to capture salient points in the discussions. In December 2023, Hub researchers worked in collaboration with Indigenous and local community representatives, local co-operatives and NGOs in co-developing community maps of Culturally Significant Areas along coast of Algoa Bay and uThukela to add socio-cultural layer and integrate Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge to Marine Spatial Planning. A set of Guidelines on the recognition of Customary Fishing Rights in South Africa is in progress (Sunde, forthcoming). This will draw on the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - see separate entry "Better protecting SSFs' human rights" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-scale Fishers") amongst other international instruments. Notable policy and law-making impacts have been achieved from this collaboration. As noted above, as a result of research, engagement and advocacy efforts, on 6 July 2021, the Government of South Africa announced a change to the squid catch allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. From 2022 to 2023, one of the innovative tools to facilitate small-scale fishers' and local communities' participation in ocean governance -namely the Empatheatre's Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) play - has been performed at various international processes including the UN Climate COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at FAO HQs in Rome, and the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day (2023). At national level, Lalela uLwandle was cited as evidence of the increasing recognition of the cultural and spiritual significance of the ocean intangible cultural heritage in a court case in South Africa, contributing to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/). This is also reported under a separate entry "Sustaining South Africa's small-scale fishing communities." Key messages derived from CJN national workshop in October 2023 will be developed as resources that can be used by small-scale fishers in their policy engagements and in their own decision-making processes. It is anticipated that these resources will be a lasting legacy for small-scale fishers and coastal communities with whom One Ocean Hub has worked over the past five years. A summary of key messages and findings emerged from the workshop will also be shared by the Hub at the international Small-Scale Fishers Summit organized by FAO in Italy in July 2024. This collaboration promotes gender equality and directly contributes to the local economy as it directly engages and proactively responds to ocean livelihood diversification and a range of injustices along communities living in the coastline provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The sewing machine project, in particular, provided a rapid response, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, to the self-identified and prioritised livelihood needs of women in two small-scale fishing communities, allowing them to secure livelihoods as a safety-net that remains crucial after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, to fill gaps between fishing seasons. Such additional livelihoods are particularly important for single mothers in fishing communities. Even during fishing season, small-scale fishing cooperatives are still facing several challenges to ensure their economic viability. The Chairperson of the Sophakama sewing project, Thembakazi Paliso, said: "We received 8 sewing machines among 20 women, so we divided ourselves in two training groups. Within two weeks, we learnt to make handbags, cushions, cushion covers, aprons and reusable sanitary pads." One of the trainers, also from the Sophakama sewing project, Ntombizanele Ntshokoma, added: "Most women in our group never had an opportunity to sew in their life and in two weeks they were able to produce items for sale. We can see that this project is sustainable." The Chairperson of the "Women in the Sewing Project", Dolly Mkatha: "I have no words to thank One Ocean Hub for this project, because it has made a difference for our livelihoods and those of our children." The initial income generated under the project for each group is expected to be around 15.000 Rands (£1.400). This collaboration is changing the lives of coastal communities by providing innovative and flexible funding to establish these ocean economy diversification projects for women, (https://www.iucn.org/story/202303/supporting-small-scale-fisher-womens-livelihoods-eastern-cape-south-africa; https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/). |
| Impact | This collaboration has produced: The Lalela Ulwandle Empatheatre production (https://www.empatheatre.com/). The disciplines involved are: Law and Sociology. Blogposts summarising events and interventions developed from the collaboration: • Taryn Pereira, 'Creative solutions: how we quickly moved UN World Oceans day presentations online', https://oneoceanhub.org/creative-solutions-how-we-quickly-moved-un-world-oceans-day-presentations-online/ • Taryn Pereira, Buhle Francis and Dylan McGarry, 'The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Jackie Sunde, 'Participating in seismic shifts in ocean research and advocacy collaboration in South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Webinars: • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AAy0RDSido0 • Two panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Video links for the three panels could be found below. o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. • Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The relevant links could be found below. o The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). o Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). o Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). • Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. o Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). o Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). o Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Artistic outputs: • Lalela uLwandle short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGc0LeYPQHw • The Blue blanket short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=6s • Umkhosi Wenala short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Mapping for Justice - customary rights battle within South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs&t=10s • List of images created by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) that are included in the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop report "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf). All these artworks are untitled. In order to give a brief description about what the artwork entails when text is available in the artworks we used the first sentence. o 'What makes us unique', p.6 of the report. o 'What Special Rights do we have/require?', p.7 of the report. o 'Our vision for the next 10 years', p.8 of the report. o 'We are an afterthought of the government', p.15 of the report. o 'We demand our customary right to sea is recognised and prioritised', p.16 of the report. o 'Untitled', p.17 of the report. o 'I want to continue to live with the ocean, with my ancestors', p.18 of the report. o 'I hope you become a scientist that acknowledges your own people's knowledge', p.19 of the report. o 'I deserve to learn about the ocean with knowledge that is not just based on marine science', p.20 of the report. o 'We as fishers navigate according to the morning star, but DFFE expects us to fish 8 to 5 like office workers,' p.21 of the report. o 'We the Small-Scale Fishers, ocean stewards and defenders are trying to understand the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, sector plans have been developed, but we don't see SSF in these plans', p.21 of the report. o 'When times are rough at home, and the government offer us nothing', p.22 of the report. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Participatory Governance SOUTH AFRICA |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration explores alternative approaches to public participation in decision-making in environmental protection. Lack of meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making processes not only creates citizen apathy with respect to environmental responsibility but it also leads to low understanding of how these decisions impact livelihood activities. This collaboration develops methodologies for inclusive and participatory decision-making and also aims to include overlooked knowledge areas. Our preliminary research in South Africa has identified specific questions among coastal communities about how their needs can be included in the creation of marine protected areas, as well as how overall public participation can be ensured in Marine Protected Area management, as well as other policy processes in coastal and marine enviroments. These questions have informed further inter- and trans-disciplinary marine and social science research on the need and process for the designation of new marine protected areas in South Africa. The pilot Emphatheatre research sought to demonstrate what meaningful, robust participatory decision- making forums could and should look like, as a counter-process to the superficial 'tick-box' approach to public consultation that characterises many ocean governance processes in South Africa. Researchers are careful not to take a particular stand on whether developments/exploration/protection measures should go ahead or not - instead, we provide the forum for unheard interests to come to the fore. In 2020, a test case emerged from the pilot that led to a petition for review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) that approved exploratory deep-sea drilling offshore oil and gas licenses in South Africa. Through this activity we have been able to identify specific research questions about how local-level needs can be included in decision-making over extractives and the creation of marine protected areas. Namely, the integration of intangible cultural heritage, protection of livelihoods. In 2020, this partnership expanded to address: women's rights and livelihoods; community participation in the management of marine protected areas; strategic participation in the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan process, as well as supporting coastal communities' participation in challenging exclusive decision-making processes relating to UNESCO World Heritage Site governance. From 2020to 2023, Hub early career researcher, Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) worked with a group of women artisanal fishers, drawing on three years of collaboration through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) - a knowledge-action network of small-scale fishers, environmental justice organisations and Hub researchers. The women have long histories and local ecological knowledge of the ocean, linked to their seaweed harvesting practices that are currently being exploited, with little benefit coming back to them. This is particularly distressing, as South Africa is experiencing massive and unprecedented climate emergencies (flooding and droughts) and in this context women, who for generations have relied on the ocean as a rural safety net, and food security source (not to mention a site of spiritual and cultural sustenance), are now deeply threatened. All this makes their climate adaptation particularly difficult, and requires a sophisticated and strategic response and intervention. This co-designed study aims to build capacity, legal empowerment and meaningful climate adaptation strategies moving forward. The project entails a collaborative analysis to better protect the human rights of small-scale fisher women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa by: • identifying how to share fairly and equitably the benefits from seaweed harvesting; • clarifying the conditions for the protection also of their human right to a healthy ocean, livelihoods and culture; • advancing legal empowerment and supporting transformative dialogue with national and local ocean decision-makers through novel arts-based research approaches and decolonial historical analyses within local cooperative cultures; and • co-developing climate change adaptation strategies based on secure marine livelihoods. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-brings-hub-researcher-buhle-francis-to-the-uk-to-deepen-research-on-justice-gender-and-ocean-livelihoods/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/. Through this collaboration women in coastal communities were able to share their livelihoods concerns, related to not being able to carry out fisheries work (in fishing processing factories/industries, and buying and selling fish) and have access to the ocean because of the lockdown restrictions during COVID 19 pandemic, but also because traditionally their roles in the fishing value chain are often limited to post-harvest fishing work. Buhle facilitated a conversation among the two communities of women about a menu of possible complementary livelihood projects, with sewing emerging as a priority. They then collaborated on a project proposal submitted to the Hub's Flexible Fund, which allowed to mobilise two pilot projects in Gqeberha ("Women in the Sewing Project": 20 women that are part of the fishing cooperative and 6 women who are married to fishermen that are not part of the cooperatives) and Hamburg (Sophakama - "Let's raise" - sewing project; 22 women from an aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives). Eight sewing machines and an overlock were provided to each group, as well as capacity building. Keiskamma at Art Centre (which also created Our Sacred Ocean, a magnificent tapestry under the Hub's DEEP Fund project) partnered with both groups and provided the initial training (one training session was hosted at the Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training at Nelson Mandela University). To support the launch of these enterprises, the Environmental Learning and Research Centre of Rhodes University made a large order for cushions and cushion covers, as well as reusable sanitary pads, from both groups and hosted a training of trainers for four selected women in October 2022. Women in both groups have trained other women in their communities, and the two groups are also sharing skills with one another. Each group created a 7-member committee (with chairperson and deputy, treasurer and secretariat) and obtained registration as a legal entity (in the form of a cooperative), with a view to continuing the enterprise after the project and gaining access to government support moving forward. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education & Training, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK), UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa; Masifundise, South Africa; Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives, South Africa; The Beach Coop, South Africa; Save the West Coast, South Africa; The Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; WOMIN - Woman in Mining, South Africa; The Collective, South Africa; Green Connection, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa; Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa; Zingiza Educational Trust, South Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A series of meetings with local NGOs, community representatives and international NGOs provided an opportunity for One Ocean Hub Co-Is to learn about the law-related needs of the NGOs appealing the decision, as well as about the variety of legal arguments that could be explored in the appeal (NGO appellants focused on international climate change law and constitutional human rights law, for instance). One Ocean Hub researchers from a range of disciplines were requested to share their expertise with regards to the EIA's technical reports on fisheries impact marine ecology impact/heritage impact. International investment law experts from the OOH (IIED) discussed international investment law perspectives, which have implications at the national and local level. All Hub Co-Is who wished to do so, were invited to contribute to the appeal in their personal capacity. Through the work of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), Hub researchers have held a womxn's coastal justice workshop on 15 April 2021 with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). This has led the womxn to gain self-confidence, practice self-care, and support each other as they diversify and extend to other supplementary livelihood, a sewing project. The workshop created an environment where fisher womxn were able to make decisions independently for their benefit and society. This has contributed in strengthening their sense of identity as demonstrated by their decision to name themselves "Women In Sea Sewing Project (WISSP)". Womxn fishers have come up with their own bylaws (a mini-constitution) which guides them and have opened a bank account. The CJN also ran a series of regional workshops with small-scale fishers in different coastal provinces in South Africa. These regional workshops culminated into a national workshop that took place in October 2023. The CJN also supported SSF participation in the management of: a) Amathole MPA: In March-May 2021, Hub reseaerchers co-designed with South Africa's Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency a follow-up consultation with 6 SSF cooperative leaders (Siyaphambili, Benton on sea, Kiwane, Mlibo, KeiMout, and Siyazama Aquaculture cooperatives) from the Eastern Cape on a draft MPA management plan that had not included their views. This was an unprecedented move by a managing agency in South Africa, exceeding current legal requirements. The Network organised a planning workshop with SSF leaders (Hamburg, May 2021), using participatory mapping to make the draft MPA management plan available in the local language (isiXhosa). SSF leaders paced out draft MPA maps and zones across the hall, using their bodies and other items as reference points for landmarks and noticeable boundaries. This documented their questions and concerns about relevant sections of the official MPA management plan. At the follow-up meeting, authorities received the participatory mapping and detailed comments from community members, resulting in a public commitment to include SSF leaders and other community structures in the Amathole MPA co-management forum. b) Aliwal Shoal MPA: The Network supported the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in preparing responses to the Aliwal Shoal MPA Draft Management Plan and obtaining a dedicated meeting to address these concerns with DFFE and the MPA management authority (Ezimvelo). The Network supported the Forum with crafting an agenda in which SSF representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base (particularly around fish stock and species management - see Research Case 2). The meeting (June 2021) was facilitated by Hub researcher Erwin at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, DFFE and Ezimvelo committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. In addition, the partnership supported SSF access to squid markets. Implementation of squid catch allocations in South Africa have left SSF being unable to fish for squid for years, although their fishing practices are sustainable, ethical and socially responsible. Joining a long-standing campaign, the CJN supported fishers in responding to the latest appeal process. On 6th July 2021, the Government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. Acknowledging the CJN's support, a member of the Khoi San Fishing Cooperative remarked: "I can't thank One Ocean Hub and CJN enough for the part their played in our success and victory. They were very instrumental in our plea and argument with the department of fisheries and the counterarguments against Sasmia [South African Squid Management Industrial Association]." This collaboration is now seeking to influence the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan, notably to include environmental/climate change considerations in this process, and the representation of indigenous knowledge holders. In February 2022, a national workshop hosted by SDCEA aimed to develop a united strategy of improving participation in ocean governance, particularly around the Oil and Gas exploration in the OEMP. Hub researchers involved in the CJN were invited to contribute to develop the strategy with communities, CBOs and legal-aid NGOs, in how they are engaging national decision making processes. Community representatives specifically asked the Hub to contribute to the implementation of the strategy with: ocean literacy and legal empowerment support tools, and on-demand expert advice on marine ecology and fishery sciences around the impacts of oil and gas exploration and cumulative activities impact on fisheries - specifically Hake, snoek, squid, (and any other species used for food or livelihoods and the social dimensions of an ecosystems approach to marine governance. They also asked the Hub to continue to develop new research on ocean culture to support efforts for inclusion of SSFs' customary practices, rights and knowledge in national decision making; and to prepare accessible, short information pieces for fishers to draw out the links between fishers' own experiences of not being consulted and international law (which will be replied as part of the Hub's cooperation with FAO). In addition, a new transdisciplinary team (that includes legal-aid NGOs and other CBOs, Fisher leaders) emerged to work on various participatory efforts in four MPAs (IsiMangaliso, Aliwal Shoal, Amatola, Tsitsikamma, and St Helena Baai), along with other community-led conservation opportunities. From 2021 to 2023, Hub researchers in South Africa have been actively creating a range of innovative tools such as a database of mining applications (Sowman et al, 2023), counter-hegemonic mapping of marine protected area (Pereira et al 2021), theatre (UN World Oceans Day, 2023) and public storytelling (McGarry et al 2022), and guidelines on the protection of customary fishing rights (Sunde, forthcoming), to facilitate inclusion of small-scale fishers in ocean governance and provide accessible and transparent databases for small-scale fishers and their communities. These tools are reported separately under the "Methods and tools" section. , On 25-26 October 2023, the Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. The organisation of the workshop was led by Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman from University of Cape Town, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (UCT EGS), in collaboration with Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dylan McGarry from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Irna Senekal from Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training - (CIPSET), and Kira Erwin from Durban University of Technology (DUT). It built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023. This workshop was intended as a space to enable leaders to articulate a national position and speak with one voice on relevant aspects of these policy processes. There were 35 fisher participants present, from four coastal provinces of South Africa. There were also 20 civil society and researcher participants, from a range of organisations that work in support of small-scale fishers, including Legal Resources Centre and Natural Justice who are formal Hub partners, as well as Masifundise Development Trust, Green Connection, and the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic. Key messages from this workshop could be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tOj49x1bc. A full report of the workshop can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf. Among other things, the report is quite innovative in including visual art-work co-developed by researchers and fishers during the workshop to capture salient points in the discussions. In December 2023, Hub researchers worked in collaboration with Indigenous and local community representatives, local co-operatives and NGOs in co-developing community maps of Culturally Significant Areas along coast of Algoa Bay and uThukela to add socio-cultural layer and integrate Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge to Marine Spatial Planning. A set of Guidelines on the recognition of Customary Fishing Rights in South Africa is in progress (Sunde, forthcoming). This will draw on the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - see separate entry "Better protecting SSFs' human rights" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-scale Fishers") amongst other international instruments. Notable policy and law-making impacts have been achieved from this collaboration. As noted above, as a result of research, engagement and advocacy efforts, on 6 July 2021, the Government of South Africa announced a change to the squid catch allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. From 2022 to 2023, one of the innovative tools to facilitate small-scale fishers' and local communities' participation in ocean governance -namely the Empatheatre's Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) play - has been performed at various international processes including the UN Climate COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at FAO HQs in Rome, and the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day (2023). At national level, Lalela uLwandle was cited as evidence of the increasing recognition of the cultural and spiritual significance of the ocean intangible cultural heritage in a court case in South Africa, contributing to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/). This is also reported under a separate entry "Sustaining South Africa's small-scale fishing communities." Key messages derived from CJN national workshop in October 2023 will be developed as resources that can be used by small-scale fishers in their policy engagements and in their own decision-making processes. It is anticipated that these resources will be a lasting legacy for small-scale fishers and coastal communities with whom One Ocean Hub has worked over the past five years. A summary of key messages and findings emerged from the workshop will also be shared by the Hub at the international Small-Scale Fishers Summit organized by FAO in Italy in July 2024. This collaboration promotes gender equality and directly contributes to the local economy as it directly engages and proactively responds to ocean livelihood diversification and a range of injustices along communities living in the coastline provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The sewing machine project, in particular, provided a rapid response, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, to the self-identified and prioritised livelihood needs of women in two small-scale fishing communities, allowing them to secure livelihoods as a safety-net that remains crucial after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, to fill gaps between fishing seasons. Such additional livelihoods are particularly important for single mothers in fishing communities. Even during fishing season, small-scale fishing cooperatives are still facing several challenges to ensure their economic viability. The Chairperson of the Sophakama sewing project, Thembakazi Paliso, said: "We received 8 sewing machines among 20 women, so we divided ourselves in two training groups. Within two weeks, we learnt to make handbags, cushions, cushion covers, aprons and reusable sanitary pads." One of the trainers, also from the Sophakama sewing project, Ntombizanele Ntshokoma, added: "Most women in our group never had an opportunity to sew in their life and in two weeks they were able to produce items for sale. We can see that this project is sustainable." The Chairperson of the "Women in the Sewing Project", Dolly Mkatha: "I have no words to thank One Ocean Hub for this project, because it has made a difference for our livelihoods and those of our children." The initial income generated under the project for each group is expected to be around 15.000 Rands (£1.400). This collaboration is changing the lives of coastal communities by providing innovative and flexible funding to establish these ocean economy diversification projects for women, (https://www.iucn.org/story/202303/supporting-small-scale-fisher-womens-livelihoods-eastern-cape-south-africa; https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/). |
| Impact | This collaboration has produced: The Lalela Ulwandle Empatheatre production (https://www.empatheatre.com/). The disciplines involved are: Law and Sociology. Blogposts summarising events and interventions developed from the collaboration: • Taryn Pereira, 'Creative solutions: how we quickly moved UN World Oceans day presentations online', https://oneoceanhub.org/creative-solutions-how-we-quickly-moved-un-world-oceans-day-presentations-online/ • Taryn Pereira, Buhle Francis and Dylan McGarry, 'The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Jackie Sunde, 'Participating in seismic shifts in ocean research and advocacy collaboration in South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Webinars: • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AAy0RDSido0 • Two panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Video links for the three panels could be found below. o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. • Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The relevant links could be found below. o The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). o Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). o Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). • Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. o Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). o Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). o Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Artistic outputs: • Lalela uLwandle short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGc0LeYPQHw • The Blue blanket short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=6s • Umkhosi Wenala short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Mapping for Justice - customary rights battle within South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs&t=10s • List of images created by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) that are included in the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop report "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf). All these artworks are untitled. In order to give a brief description about what the artwork entails when text is available in the artworks we used the first sentence. o 'What makes us unique', p.6 of the report. o 'What Special Rights do we have/require?', p.7 of the report. o 'Our vision for the next 10 years', p.8 of the report. o 'We are an afterthought of the government', p.15 of the report. o 'We demand our customary right to sea is recognised and prioritised', p.16 of the report. o 'Untitled', p.17 of the report. o 'I want to continue to live with the ocean, with my ancestors', p.18 of the report. o 'I hope you become a scientist that acknowledges your own people's knowledge', p.19 of the report. o 'I deserve to learn about the ocean with knowledge that is not just based on marine science', p.20 of the report. o 'We as fishers navigate according to the morning star, but DFFE expects us to fish 8 to 5 like office workers,' p.21 of the report. o 'We the Small-Scale Fishers, ocean stewards and defenders are trying to understand the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, sector plans have been developed, but we don't see SSF in these plans', p.21 of the report. o 'When times are rough at home, and the government offer us nothing', p.22 of the report. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Participatory Governance SOUTH AFRICA |
| Organisation | World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration explores alternative approaches to public participation in decision-making in environmental protection. Lack of meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making processes not only creates citizen apathy with respect to environmental responsibility but it also leads to low understanding of how these decisions impact livelihood activities. This collaboration develops methodologies for inclusive and participatory decision-making and also aims to include overlooked knowledge areas. Our preliminary research in South Africa has identified specific questions among coastal communities about how their needs can be included in the creation of marine protected areas, as well as how overall public participation can be ensured in Marine Protected Area management, as well as other policy processes in coastal and marine enviroments. These questions have informed further inter- and trans-disciplinary marine and social science research on the need and process for the designation of new marine protected areas in South Africa. The pilot Emphatheatre research sought to demonstrate what meaningful, robust participatory decision- making forums could and should look like, as a counter-process to the superficial 'tick-box' approach to public consultation that characterises many ocean governance processes in South Africa. Researchers are careful not to take a particular stand on whether developments/exploration/protection measures should go ahead or not - instead, we provide the forum for unheard interests to come to the fore. In 2020, a test case emerged from the pilot that led to a petition for review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) that approved exploratory deep-sea drilling offshore oil and gas licenses in South Africa. Through this activity we have been able to identify specific research questions about how local-level needs can be included in decision-making over extractives and the creation of marine protected areas. Namely, the integration of intangible cultural heritage, protection of livelihoods. In 2020, this partnership expanded to address: women's rights and livelihoods; community participation in the management of marine protected areas; strategic participation in the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan process, as well as supporting coastal communities' participation in challenging exclusive decision-making processes relating to UNESCO World Heritage Site governance. From 2020to 2023, Hub early career researcher, Dr Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) worked with a group of women artisanal fishers, drawing on three years of collaboration through the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) - a knowledge-action network of small-scale fishers, environmental justice organisations and Hub researchers. The women have long histories and local ecological knowledge of the ocean, linked to their seaweed harvesting practices that are currently being exploited, with little benefit coming back to them. This is particularly distressing, as South Africa is experiencing massive and unprecedented climate emergencies (flooding and droughts) and in this context women, who for generations have relied on the ocean as a rural safety net, and food security source (not to mention a site of spiritual and cultural sustenance), are now deeply threatened. All this makes their climate adaptation particularly difficult, and requires a sophisticated and strategic response and intervention. This co-designed study aims to build capacity, legal empowerment and meaningful climate adaptation strategies moving forward. The project entails a collaborative analysis to better protect the human rights of small-scale fisher women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa by: • identifying how to share fairly and equitably the benefits from seaweed harvesting; • clarifying the conditions for the protection also of their human right to a healthy ocean, livelihoods and culture; • advancing legal empowerment and supporting transformative dialogue with national and local ocean decision-makers through novel arts-based research approaches and decolonial historical analyses within local cooperative cultures; and • co-developing climate change adaptation strategies based on secure marine livelihoods. More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-brings-hub-researcher-buhle-francis-to-the-uk-to-deepen-research-on-justice-gender-and-ocean-livelihoods/ and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/. Through this collaboration women in coastal communities were able to share their livelihoods concerns, related to not being able to carry out fisheries work (in fishing processing factories/industries, and buying and selling fish) and have access to the ocean because of the lockdown restrictions during COVID 19 pandemic, but also because traditionally their roles in the fishing value chain are often limited to post-harvest fishing work. Buhle facilitated a conversation among the two communities of women about a menu of possible complementary livelihood projects, with sewing emerging as a priority. They then collaborated on a project proposal submitted to the Hub's Flexible Fund, which allowed to mobilise two pilot projects in Gqeberha ("Women in the Sewing Project": 20 women that are part of the fishing cooperative and 6 women who are married to fishermen that are not part of the cooperatives) and Hamburg (Sophakama - "Let's raise" - sewing project; 22 women from an aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives). Eight sewing machines and an overlock were provided to each group, as well as capacity building. Keiskamma at Art Centre (which also created Our Sacred Ocean, a magnificent tapestry under the Hub's DEEP Fund project) partnered with both groups and provided the initial training (one training session was hosted at the Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training at Nelson Mandela University). To support the launch of these enterprises, the Environmental Learning and Research Centre of Rhodes University made a large order for cushions and cushion covers, as well as reusable sanitary pads, from both groups and hosted a training of trainers for four selected women in October 2022. Women in both groups have trained other women in their communities, and the two groups are also sharing skills with one another. Each group created a 7-member committee (with chairperson and deputy, treasurer and secretariat) and obtained registration as a legal entity (in the form of a cooperative), with a view to continuing the enterprise after the project and gaining access to government support moving forward. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; Durban University of Technology, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education & Training, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in Global South: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; • partner organisations based in Global North: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF UK), UK The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa; Masifundise, South Africa; Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives, South Africa; The Beach Coop, South Africa; Save the West Coast, South Africa; The Legal Resource Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; WOMIN - Woman in Mining, South Africa; The Collective, South Africa; Green Connection, South Africa; Abalobi, South Africa; South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa; Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa; Zingiza Educational Trust, South Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A series of meetings with local NGOs, community representatives and international NGOs provided an opportunity for One Ocean Hub Co-Is to learn about the law-related needs of the NGOs appealing the decision, as well as about the variety of legal arguments that could be explored in the appeal (NGO appellants focused on international climate change law and constitutional human rights law, for instance). One Ocean Hub researchers from a range of disciplines were requested to share their expertise with regards to the EIA's technical reports on fisheries impact marine ecology impact/heritage impact. International investment law experts from the OOH (IIED) discussed international investment law perspectives, which have implications at the national and local level. All Hub Co-Is who wished to do so, were invited to contribute to the appeal in their personal capacity. Through the work of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), Hub researchers have held a womxn's coastal justice workshop on 15 April 2021 with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). This has led the womxn to gain self-confidence, practice self-care, and support each other as they diversify and extend to other supplementary livelihood, a sewing project. The workshop created an environment where fisher womxn were able to make decisions independently for their benefit and society. This has contributed in strengthening their sense of identity as demonstrated by their decision to name themselves "Women In Sea Sewing Project (WISSP)". Womxn fishers have come up with their own bylaws (a mini-constitution) which guides them and have opened a bank account. The CJN also ran a series of regional workshops with small-scale fishers in different coastal provinces in South Africa. These regional workshops culminated into a national workshop that took place in October 2023. The CJN also supported SSF participation in the management of: a) Amathole MPA: In March-May 2021, Hub reseaerchers co-designed with South Africa's Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency a follow-up consultation with 6 SSF cooperative leaders (Siyaphambili, Benton on sea, Kiwane, Mlibo, KeiMout, and Siyazama Aquaculture cooperatives) from the Eastern Cape on a draft MPA management plan that had not included their views. This was an unprecedented move by a managing agency in South Africa, exceeding current legal requirements. The Network organised a planning workshop with SSF leaders (Hamburg, May 2021), using participatory mapping to make the draft MPA management plan available in the local language (isiXhosa). SSF leaders paced out draft MPA maps and zones across the hall, using their bodies and other items as reference points for landmarks and noticeable boundaries. This documented their questions and concerns about relevant sections of the official MPA management plan. At the follow-up meeting, authorities received the participatory mapping and detailed comments from community members, resulting in a public commitment to include SSF leaders and other community structures in the Amathole MPA co-management forum. b) Aliwal Shoal MPA: The Network supported the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in preparing responses to the Aliwal Shoal MPA Draft Management Plan and obtaining a dedicated meeting to address these concerns with DFFE and the MPA management authority (Ezimvelo). The Network supported the Forum with crafting an agenda in which SSF representatives were able to voice their concerns and ask questions about the evidence base (particularly around fish stock and species management - see Research Case 2). The meeting (June 2021) was facilitated by Hub researcher Erwin at the request of the Forum and was attended by other Hub researchers to assist with explanations based on marine sciences. At the end of the meeting, DFFE and Ezimvelo committed to create a working committee with the Forum representatives and Hub researchers to address issues of exclusion and food security in the MPA. In addition, the partnership supported SSF access to squid markets. Implementation of squid catch allocations in South Africa have left SSF being unable to fish for squid for years, although their fishing practices are sustainable, ethical and socially responsible. Joining a long-standing campaign, the CJN supported fishers in responding to the latest appeal process. On 6th July 2021, the Government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. Acknowledging the CJN's support, a member of the Khoi San Fishing Cooperative remarked: "I can't thank One Ocean Hub and CJN enough for the part their played in our success and victory. They were very instrumental in our plea and argument with the department of fisheries and the counterarguments against Sasmia [South African Squid Management Industrial Association]." This collaboration is now seeking to influence the South Africa's Ocean Economy Master Plan, notably to include environmental/climate change considerations in this process, and the representation of indigenous knowledge holders. In February 2022, a national workshop hosted by SDCEA aimed to develop a united strategy of improving participation in ocean governance, particularly around the Oil and Gas exploration in the OEMP. Hub researchers involved in the CJN were invited to contribute to develop the strategy with communities, CBOs and legal-aid NGOs, in how they are engaging national decision making processes. Community representatives specifically asked the Hub to contribute to the implementation of the strategy with: ocean literacy and legal empowerment support tools, and on-demand expert advice on marine ecology and fishery sciences around the impacts of oil and gas exploration and cumulative activities impact on fisheries - specifically Hake, snoek, squid, (and any other species used for food or livelihoods and the social dimensions of an ecosystems approach to marine governance. They also asked the Hub to continue to develop new research on ocean culture to support efforts for inclusion of SSFs' customary practices, rights and knowledge in national decision making; and to prepare accessible, short information pieces for fishers to draw out the links between fishers' own experiences of not being consulted and international law (which will be replied as part of the Hub's cooperation with FAO). In addition, a new transdisciplinary team (that includes legal-aid NGOs and other CBOs, Fisher leaders) emerged to work on various participatory efforts in four MPAs (IsiMangaliso, Aliwal Shoal, Amatola, Tsitsikamma, and St Helena Baai), along with other community-led conservation opportunities. From 2021 to 2023, Hub researchers in South Africa have been actively creating a range of innovative tools such as a database of mining applications (Sowman et al, 2023), counter-hegemonic mapping of marine protected area (Pereira et al 2021), theatre (UN World Oceans Day, 2023) and public storytelling (McGarry et al 2022), and guidelines on the protection of customary fishing rights (Sunde, forthcoming), to facilitate inclusion of small-scale fishers in ocean governance and provide accessible and transparent databases for small-scale fishers and their communities. These tools are reported separately under the "Methods and tools" section. , On 25-26 October 2023, the Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. The organisation of the workshop was led by Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman from University of Cape Town, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (UCT EGS), in collaboration with Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dylan McGarry from Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Irna Senekal from Nelson Mandela University Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training - (CIPSET), and Kira Erwin from Durban University of Technology (DUT). It built on three Regional Workshops that were held earlier in 2023. This workshop was intended as a space to enable leaders to articulate a national position and speak with one voice on relevant aspects of these policy processes. There were 35 fisher participants present, from four coastal provinces of South Africa. There were also 20 civil society and researcher participants, from a range of organisations that work in support of small-scale fishers, including Legal Resources Centre and Natural Justice who are formal Hub partners, as well as Masifundise Development Trust, Green Connection, and the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic. Key messages from this workshop could be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tOj49x1bc. A full report of the workshop can be found here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf. Among other things, the report is quite innovative in including visual art-work co-developed by researchers and fishers during the workshop to capture salient points in the discussions. In December 2023, Hub researchers worked in collaboration with Indigenous and local community representatives, local co-operatives and NGOs in co-developing community maps of Culturally Significant Areas along coast of Algoa Bay and uThukela to add socio-cultural layer and integrate Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge to Marine Spatial Planning. A set of Guidelines on the recognition of Customary Fishing Rights in South Africa is in progress (Sunde, forthcoming). This will draw on the Small-scale Fisheries Guidelines of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - see separate entry "Better protecting SSFs' human rights" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-scale Fishers") amongst other international instruments. Notable policy and law-making impacts have been achieved from this collaboration. As noted above, as a result of research, engagement and advocacy efforts, on 6 July 2021, the Government of South Africa announced a change to the squid catch allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. From 2022 to 2023, one of the innovative tools to facilitate small-scale fishers' and local communities' participation in ocean governance -namely the Empatheatre's Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) play - has been performed at various international processes including the UN Climate COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (2022), the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (2023) at FAO HQs in Rome, and the UN HQs in New York for World Oceans Day (2023). At national level, Lalela uLwandle was cited as evidence of the increasing recognition of the cultural and spiritual significance of the ocean intangible cultural heritage in a court case in South Africa, contributing to an unprecedented recognition of cultural rights connected to the seabed and the need to protect procedural rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fisheries in the context of licensing offshore oil and gas exploration (https://oneoceanhub.org/changing-understandings-of-and-engagments-with-ocean-dependent-communities-empatheatre/). This is also reported under a separate entry "Sustaining South Africa's small-scale fishing communities." Key messages derived from CJN national workshop in October 2023 will be developed as resources that can be used by small-scale fishers in their policy engagements and in their own decision-making processes. It is anticipated that these resources will be a lasting legacy for small-scale fishers and coastal communities with whom One Ocean Hub has worked over the past five years. A summary of key messages and findings emerged from the workshop will also be shared by the Hub at the international Small-Scale Fishers Summit organized by FAO in Italy in July 2024. This collaboration promotes gender equality and directly contributes to the local economy as it directly engages and proactively responds to ocean livelihood diversification and a range of injustices along communities living in the coastline provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The sewing machine project, in particular, provided a rapid response, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, to the self-identified and prioritised livelihood needs of women in two small-scale fishing communities, allowing them to secure livelihoods as a safety-net that remains crucial after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, to fill gaps between fishing seasons. Such additional livelihoods are particularly important for single mothers in fishing communities. Even during fishing season, small-scale fishing cooperatives are still facing several challenges to ensure their economic viability. The Chairperson of the Sophakama sewing project, Thembakazi Paliso, said: "We received 8 sewing machines among 20 women, so we divided ourselves in two training groups. Within two weeks, we learnt to make handbags, cushions, cushion covers, aprons and reusable sanitary pads." One of the trainers, also from the Sophakama sewing project, Ntombizanele Ntshokoma, added: "Most women in our group never had an opportunity to sew in their life and in two weeks they were able to produce items for sale. We can see that this project is sustainable." The Chairperson of the "Women in the Sewing Project", Dolly Mkatha: "I have no words to thank One Ocean Hub for this project, because it has made a difference for our livelihoods and those of our children." The initial income generated under the project for each group is expected to be around 15.000 Rands (£1.400). This collaboration is changing the lives of coastal communities by providing innovative and flexible funding to establish these ocean economy diversification projects for women, (https://www.iucn.org/story/202303/supporting-small-scale-fisher-womens-livelihoods-eastern-cape-south-africa; https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-emerging-researchers-buhle-francis/). |
| Impact | This collaboration has produced: The Lalela Ulwandle Empatheatre production (https://www.empatheatre.com/). The disciplines involved are: Law and Sociology. Blogposts summarising events and interventions developed from the collaboration: • Taryn Pereira, 'Creative solutions: how we quickly moved UN World Oceans day presentations online', https://oneoceanhub.org/creative-solutions-how-we-quickly-moved-un-world-oceans-day-presentations-online/ • Taryn Pereira, Buhle Francis and Dylan McGarry, 'The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ • Jackie Sunde, 'Participating in seismic shifts in ocean research and advocacy collaboration in South Africa'. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Webinars: • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=AAy0RDSido0 • Two panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021. Video links for the three panels could be found below. o Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. o Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. • Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022. The relevant links could be found below. o The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers, 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). o Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders, 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). o Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). o Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). • Five panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 as outlined in the previous section and the recording links could be found below. o Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). o Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). o Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=2s). This event was attended by 30 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by around 101 attendees. Artistic outputs: • Lalela uLwandle short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGc0LeYPQHw • The Blue blanket short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=6s • Umkhosi Wenala short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Mapping for Justice - customary rights battle within South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site short film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTr0ARgZfqs&t=10s • List of images created by Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) that are included in the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop report "Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future" (https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CJN_SSF-national-workshop-Report_Dec23-1.pdf). All these artworks are untitled. In order to give a brief description about what the artwork entails when text is available in the artworks we used the first sentence. o 'What makes us unique', p.6 of the report. o 'What Special Rights do we have/require?', p.7 of the report. o 'Our vision for the next 10 years', p.8 of the report. o 'We are an afterthought of the government', p.15 of the report. o 'We demand our customary right to sea is recognised and prioritised', p.16 of the report. o 'Untitled', p.17 of the report. o 'I want to continue to live with the ocean, with my ancestors', p.18 of the report. o 'I hope you become a scientist that acknowledges your own people's knowledge', p.19 of the report. o 'I deserve to learn about the ocean with knowledge that is not just based on marine science', p.20 of the report. o 'We as fishers navigate according to the morning star, but DFFE expects us to fish 8 to 5 like office workers,' p.21 of the report. o 'We the Small-Scale Fishers, ocean stewards and defenders are trying to understand the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, sector plans have been developed, but we don't see SSF in these plans', p.21 of the report. o 'When times are rough at home, and the government offer us nothing', p.22 of the report. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the effective realisation of children's rights is the foundation to achieve a sustainable future and the attainment of all human rights (UN Human Rights Commission, 15 December 2016 as cited in Sweeney, 14 September 2021). Ocean degradation is a major threat to the protection and enjoyment of children's human rights. However, despite its importance, ocean health has been overlooked in research on children's rights and the environment and in relevant UN reports. One Ocean Hub research and engagement in this area highlight the need for human rights activists, states, and businesses to consider the role of a healthy ocean for protecting and fully realizing children's human rights (Sweeney and Morgera, 21 July 2021). I In 2021 University of Strathclyde (Professor Elisa Morgera) was invited by United Nations Environment Programme to contribute to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI). The aim of the partnership is to co-develop proposals on children's human rights and a healthy ocean, to inform the development of a new international instrument on the human rights of the child to a healthy environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub is the first research consortium to become a member of the Core Group of CERI. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with CERI, the One Ocean Hub (led by University of Strathclyde): 1. Provides expertise in law, marine and social sciences, economics and arts for CERI events and consultations, to contribute knowledge and views on the inter-dependence of children's rights and a healthy ocean. 2. Shares new research in international law, ocean sciences and social sciences on children's rights to a healthy ocean, as well as case studies, innovative methods for and lessons learned in supporting children's participation in ocean science and decision-making processes. 3. Provide children-friendly co-developed materials on ocean literacy and insights on knowledge and education co-production with children. 4. Provide legal, scientific and policy advice on the inter-dependence of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. This has led to an extension of the partnership, with the Hub becoming a member of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect in June 2022. Increasingly, these partnerships have also provided opportunities for joint events and submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes, including the ocean for the first time in these climate-related advocacy activities. Most significantly, these partnerships have led to international policy impact, with the explicit reference to the ocean in the draft UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and a Healthy Environment (zero draft released in November 2022: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/; further inputs from the Hub in February 2023: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ and final version released in 2023) by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ In 2023, the Hub made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/ Together with the Alana Institute, the Hub also responded to the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change to give inputs to his forthcoming report on corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change, which will be presented to the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2024. In our joint submission, we focused on the perspective of children's rights about corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. The Hub also included references to the General Comment in its submissions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea (More information on the Hub's submission is available at: https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-submitted-by-the-commission-of-small-island-states-on-climate-change-and-international-law-request-for-advisory-opinion-submitted-to-the-tribunal/; here: https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/31/written_statements/4/C31-WS-4-10-OOH.pdf; and here https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In 2024, the Hub will increase its activities to clarify the importance of the GC 26 in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights (see separate entries on "Better protecting small-scale fishers' human rights across scales" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers"; and our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably its Global Biodiversity Framework (see our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Alana, Brazil; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Solomon Islands. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Child Rights Connect, Switzerland; Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, UK; Child Rights International Network, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Switzerland; Terre des Hommes, Switzerland; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (VoFG), France; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland; World Vision, UK; Save the Children, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CERI is an international multi-stakeholder platform to ensure that children's rights are placed at the centre of environmental decision-making and action. The platform has been established under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and comprises other Hub partners such as UN Environment Programme UNEP and WWF, as well as UNICEF, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Save the Children and others. Under the partnership with the One Ocean Hub/University of Strathclyde, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), has: 1. Supported disseminating One Ocean Hub knowledge products in international and regional processes on children's right to a healthy environment and bring to the attention of the Hub other opportunities to share research and knowledge products internationally and regionally. 2. co-developed plans, products, children-friendly materials, or/and activities. 3. offered its services and contacts, where possible, to assist the Ocean Hub in drawing awareness of relevant decision-makers to challenges and solutions regarding the relationship between children's rights and the water-based ecosystems. Child Rights Connect is a Switzerland-based association focusing on child rights mainstreaming, empowering children's rights defenders and strengthening the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Working Group is aimed to advance the international recognition and implementation of children's fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment. In order to achieve this objective, the Working Group carries out specific tasks including influencing relevant processes at the UN, particularly the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on environmental matters; mainstreaming children's rights in key human rights and environmental frameworks and processes; and encouraging and supporting the reporting of children's rights violation in relation to the degradation of the environment. They also facilitate exchange, mutual learning and capacity building; promote child-led initiatives and best practices of child participation in environmental activism; and support the work of other networks promoting children's rights to a healthy environment. Although the Working Group focuses on UN Geneva-based activities, it also intends to connect different communities working at different levels and on different issues related to children's rights and the environment (Child Rights Connect, 2020, see here: https://childrightsconnect.org/working_groups/children-and-environment/). In 2021, the Hub contributed to co-develop an UN e-learning course for 13-15yo on children's rights to a healthy environment (launched in 2022) with contributions on its design, approach and content, the inclusion of a Hub early-career researcher, and the inclusion of Hub resources (policy brief and the children's activity book on marine ecosystems from South Africa's MzanSea website). Throughout 2022, the Hub and CERI collaborated in preparing inputs into the development of the UN General Comment on children's rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change, led by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub contributed to various thematic consultations, and was also invited to co-lead on a consultation focused on biodiversity (August 2022). Following the release of the zero draft of the General Comment, which included references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the Hub, Hub researchers submitted further written suggestions to strengthen the draft in February 2023. The finalized General Comment was published in August 2023 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect, the Hub is leading research and awareness-raising among international environmental and ocean governance bodies on children's rights to a healthy environment, and will thus be able to influence the implementation of the General Comment. The partnership with CERI has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Cape Coast University and UWI are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while Rhodes and Nelson Mandela University, also provided expertise in education. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. Since 2021, the Hub has contributed to addressing children's human rights at Climate COPs, with a view to emphasizing their importance at the ocean-climate nexus (see our impact case study at https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) with a combination of events at UN Climate Summits and written submissions. The list of events includes: • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event); • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022 (led by Alana Instituto). • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022 (led by PRATYeK). • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023, online. Recording (for internal purpose only - please do not share it widely) is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg The Hub has also contributed to the following submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes: • Two joint position papers at COP27 in 2022 including "A COP fit for Children: How to support children's participation," https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/cop-fit-children-how-support-childrens-participation/ and "Incorporating Children's Rights into Climate Action," https://ceri-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COP27-Position-Paper-Incorporating-Child-Rights-into-Climate-Action.pdf. • Joint submission to the UNFCCC first Global Stocktake in 2023 with members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Children's Rights Climate Coalitions: UNICEF, CERI, Plan International, Save the Children, Alana, World Vision, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), One Ocean Hub. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/luqu6uo8a7hgh2t8hran9ppbm1. • CERI policy brief for Climate COP28. Available from https://ceri-coalition.org/child-rights-into-climate-action/ • CERI info-sheet for Climate COP28. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/v3eljva56mb9iht6lmua2scr76 The One Ocean Hub has achieved notable impact on international policy-making in the area of children's rights. The Hub successfully ensured that both biodiversity and the ocean were included in the UN General Comment 26. Notably, a section within the Comment clarifies that States party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must take action immediately to "prevent marine pollution by banning the direct or indirect introduction of substances into the marine environment that are hazardous to children's health and marine biodiversity" (para 65(f)). The same section also clarifies that States party to the treaty should take action immediately to: • "Conserve, protect and restore biodiversity for the current and future generations", which can be understood to include marine biodiversity; • "Ensure access to safe and sufficient water and healthy aquatic ecosystems", which includes the ocean and its role in the global water cycle; and • "Transform industrial fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food aimed at preventing malnutrition and undernutrition" (para 65), which includes fisheries, according to definitions of 'agriculture' in the UN system. As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub is taking the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CBD. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategising and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. The collaboration has also achieved societal impacts. It has raised awareness and contributed to building the capacity of 1533 government officials, youth and children environmental defenders, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, students, and academics on the interconnection between children's human rights, climate change and a healthy ocean. On average over 60 per cent of attendees across all the events listed as part of this collaboration were women. This confirms our commitment to promote gender equality, as well as the interest and need for capacity building for women in this area of collaboration. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes: This partnership began in 2021 and has so far led to One Ocean Hub inputs into: • The first Core Partner meeting of the Children's Environmental Right Initiative, at the start of their campaign calling for the recognition of children's right to a healthy environment. The Hub's primary contribution to this is on (in-kind) international legal research on the human rights of the child to a healthy ocean, as a contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's process to develop the General Comment on Child Rights, Environment and Climate Change. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera presented at the Core partner meeting on 27 July 2021. • Professor Elisa Morgera was also asked to contribute on oceans and children's rights to the North America regional consultation in July 2021 on the rights of the child which are part of a series of consultations being held by CERI on the development of a Children's Charter on a Healthy Environment. Professor Morgera's contribution was specifically on the value of applying a rights lens and rights-based approaches - both as a stimulus for action and a safeguard to prevent harm in conservation measures. In March 2022, Prof Morgera and Hub early career researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to the global consultations on the future content of General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change was published in August 2023. It incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean provided by Hub researchers (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). • Hub researchers including Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University) participated in the co-development UN e-learning course for 13-15-year-old (https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-childrens-human-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean/); and inputs (via CERI) into UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's new General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change. Position papers/policy briefs/impact story The Hub developed a position paper and a series of policy briefs on the rights of the child in the context of a healthy ocean environment to contribute to new UN Comment on human rights of the child to a healthy environment, being developed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: • Sweeney M, Morgera E and Shields S. (2021). "SDG 14 and Children's Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SDG14-and-childrens-human-rights.pdf. • Sweeney M and Morgera E. (2022). "Don't Forget a Healthy Ocean as Part of Children's Right to a Healthy Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-dont-forget-a-healthy-ocean-as-part-of-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what children's human rights experts need to know about a healthy ocean as part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-childrens-human-rights-experts-need-to-know-about-a-healthy-oceanas-part-of-the-right-to-a-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what ocean experts need to know about children's human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-ocean-experts-need-to-know-about-childrens-human-right-to-aclean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment-including-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief:10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Impact Story: Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Bringing the Hub's unique perspective to the UN climate change framework. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Informing new UN guidance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf. • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the FAO SSF Guidelines, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/ • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/ Events: • Navigating Ocean Literacy & Sustainability in the Classroom, 10 June 2020 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw. The event was attended by 62 attendees. • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. The event was attended by 45 attendees. • Code Red, the planet is burning! organised by the Universite de Geneve, 5-6 May 2022, (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/. The event was attended by 75 persons. • Right-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, co-organised by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, UN Environment Programme and YouthforOceans. A side event at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, July 2022. More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The event was attended by 50 persons. • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022 (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022. The event was led by Alana Instituto (online event) and was attended by 60 attendees. • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022. The event was led by PRATYeK (online event) and was attended by 50 attendees. • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Screening of a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor a children representative from Ghana before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit, 11 November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. The event was attended by 100 attendees. • Screening of video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana at Alana exhibition booth, the Exibition Pavillion of COP27. The two videos were viewed by 600 persons. • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by five persons. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents (in-person event). The event was attended by 63 attendees. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023 (online event). Recording is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. The event was attended by 266 attendees. Blogposts: • Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing Children and Young People Rights to A healthy Ocean in the Context of Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Morgera E. (2022). "Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy-biodiversity/. • Morgera E et.al. (2022). "The ocean is included in the Zero Draft of the UN General Comment on Children's rights to a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/#:~:text=The%20section%20in%20the%20Zero,the%20marine%20environment%20that%20are • Morgera E. (2022). "Contributing to global consultations on children's right to a healthy environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E, Lennan M, Strand M et. al (2023). "The One Ocean Hub contributes to the UN General Comment on children's rights and a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E. (2023). "UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ • Ofori FNK. (2022). "Protecting children's rights in the context of Ghana's fisheries." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-in-the-context-of-ghanas-fisheries/ • Shields S. (2022). "Highlighting the role of the ocean in the context of children's rights to a healthy environment in the midst of the climate crisis." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-the-context-of-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-safe-and-sustainable-environment-in-the-midst-of-a-climate-crisis/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/. • Sweeney M. (2021). "Advancing understanding of the role of the ocean in protecting children's rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-understanding-of-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-protecting-childrens-rights/. Publications: • Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No 26' Environmental Policy and Law 42, 445-459. DOI: 10.3233/EPL-219052. https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052 • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en • Morgera E. (2024). "International Environmental Law: A Case for Transformative Change through the Lens of Children's Human Rights." Environmental Policy and Law 54. Available from https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl239015. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN |
| Organisation | Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change |
| Country | Solomon Islands |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the effective realisation of children's rights is the foundation to achieve a sustainable future and the attainment of all human rights (UN Human Rights Commission, 15 December 2016 as cited in Sweeney, 14 September 2021). Ocean degradation is a major threat to the protection and enjoyment of children's human rights. However, despite its importance, ocean health has been overlooked in research on children's rights and the environment and in relevant UN reports. One Ocean Hub research and engagement in this area highlight the need for human rights activists, states, and businesses to consider the role of a healthy ocean for protecting and fully realizing children's human rights (Sweeney and Morgera, 21 July 2021). I In 2021 University of Strathclyde (Professor Elisa Morgera) was invited by United Nations Environment Programme to contribute to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI). The aim of the partnership is to co-develop proposals on children's human rights and a healthy ocean, to inform the development of a new international instrument on the human rights of the child to a healthy environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub is the first research consortium to become a member of the Core Group of CERI. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with CERI, the One Ocean Hub (led by University of Strathclyde): 1. Provides expertise in law, marine and social sciences, economics and arts for CERI events and consultations, to contribute knowledge and views on the inter-dependence of children's rights and a healthy ocean. 2. Shares new research in international law, ocean sciences and social sciences on children's rights to a healthy ocean, as well as case studies, innovative methods for and lessons learned in supporting children's participation in ocean science and decision-making processes. 3. Provide children-friendly co-developed materials on ocean literacy and insights on knowledge and education co-production with children. 4. Provide legal, scientific and policy advice on the inter-dependence of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. This has led to an extension of the partnership, with the Hub becoming a member of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect in June 2022. Increasingly, these partnerships have also provided opportunities for joint events and submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes, including the ocean for the first time in these climate-related advocacy activities. Most significantly, these partnerships have led to international policy impact, with the explicit reference to the ocean in the draft UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and a Healthy Environment (zero draft released in November 2022: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/; further inputs from the Hub in February 2023: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ and final version released in 2023) by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ In 2023, the Hub made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/ Together with the Alana Institute, the Hub also responded to the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change to give inputs to his forthcoming report on corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change, which will be presented to the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2024. In our joint submission, we focused on the perspective of children's rights about corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. The Hub also included references to the General Comment in its submissions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea (More information on the Hub's submission is available at: https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-submitted-by-the-commission-of-small-island-states-on-climate-change-and-international-law-request-for-advisory-opinion-submitted-to-the-tribunal/; here: https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/31/written_statements/4/C31-WS-4-10-OOH.pdf; and here https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In 2024, the Hub will increase its activities to clarify the importance of the GC 26 in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights (see separate entries on "Better protecting small-scale fishers' human rights across scales" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers"; and our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably its Global Biodiversity Framework (see our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Alana, Brazil; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Solomon Islands. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Child Rights Connect, Switzerland; Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, UK; Child Rights International Network, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Switzerland; Terre des Hommes, Switzerland; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (VoFG), France; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland; World Vision, UK; Save the Children, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CERI is an international multi-stakeholder platform to ensure that children's rights are placed at the centre of environmental decision-making and action. The platform has been established under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and comprises other Hub partners such as UN Environment Programme UNEP and WWF, as well as UNICEF, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Save the Children and others. Under the partnership with the One Ocean Hub/University of Strathclyde, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), has: 1. Supported disseminating One Ocean Hub knowledge products in international and regional processes on children's right to a healthy environment and bring to the attention of the Hub other opportunities to share research and knowledge products internationally and regionally. 2. co-developed plans, products, children-friendly materials, or/and activities. 3. offered its services and contacts, where possible, to assist the Ocean Hub in drawing awareness of relevant decision-makers to challenges and solutions regarding the relationship between children's rights and the water-based ecosystems. Child Rights Connect is a Switzerland-based association focusing on child rights mainstreaming, empowering children's rights defenders and strengthening the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Working Group is aimed to advance the international recognition and implementation of children's fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment. In order to achieve this objective, the Working Group carries out specific tasks including influencing relevant processes at the UN, particularly the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on environmental matters; mainstreaming children's rights in key human rights and environmental frameworks and processes; and encouraging and supporting the reporting of children's rights violation in relation to the degradation of the environment. They also facilitate exchange, mutual learning and capacity building; promote child-led initiatives and best practices of child participation in environmental activism; and support the work of other networks promoting children's rights to a healthy environment. Although the Working Group focuses on UN Geneva-based activities, it also intends to connect different communities working at different levels and on different issues related to children's rights and the environment (Child Rights Connect, 2020, see here: https://childrightsconnect.org/working_groups/children-and-environment/). In 2021, the Hub contributed to co-develop an UN e-learning course for 13-15yo on children's rights to a healthy environment (launched in 2022) with contributions on its design, approach and content, the inclusion of a Hub early-career researcher, and the inclusion of Hub resources (policy brief and the children's activity book on marine ecosystems from South Africa's MzanSea website). Throughout 2022, the Hub and CERI collaborated in preparing inputs into the development of the UN General Comment on children's rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change, led by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub contributed to various thematic consultations, and was also invited to co-lead on a consultation focused on biodiversity (August 2022). Following the release of the zero draft of the General Comment, which included references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the Hub, Hub researchers submitted further written suggestions to strengthen the draft in February 2023. The finalized General Comment was published in August 2023 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect, the Hub is leading research and awareness-raising among international environmental and ocean governance bodies on children's rights to a healthy environment, and will thus be able to influence the implementation of the General Comment. The partnership with CERI has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Cape Coast University and UWI are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while Rhodes and Nelson Mandela University, also provided expertise in education. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. Since 2021, the Hub has contributed to addressing children's human rights at Climate COPs, with a view to emphasizing their importance at the ocean-climate nexus (see our impact case study at https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) with a combination of events at UN Climate Summits and written submissions. The list of events includes: • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event); • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022 (led by Alana Instituto). • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022 (led by PRATYeK). • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023, online. Recording (for internal purpose only - please do not share it widely) is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg The Hub has also contributed to the following submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes: • Two joint position papers at COP27 in 2022 including "A COP fit for Children: How to support children's participation," https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/cop-fit-children-how-support-childrens-participation/ and "Incorporating Children's Rights into Climate Action," https://ceri-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COP27-Position-Paper-Incorporating-Child-Rights-into-Climate-Action.pdf. • Joint submission to the UNFCCC first Global Stocktake in 2023 with members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Children's Rights Climate Coalitions: UNICEF, CERI, Plan International, Save the Children, Alana, World Vision, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), One Ocean Hub. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/luqu6uo8a7hgh2t8hran9ppbm1. • CERI policy brief for Climate COP28. Available from https://ceri-coalition.org/child-rights-into-climate-action/ • CERI info-sheet for Climate COP28. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/v3eljva56mb9iht6lmua2scr76 The One Ocean Hub has achieved notable impact on international policy-making in the area of children's rights. The Hub successfully ensured that both biodiversity and the ocean were included in the UN General Comment 26. Notably, a section within the Comment clarifies that States party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must take action immediately to "prevent marine pollution by banning the direct or indirect introduction of substances into the marine environment that are hazardous to children's health and marine biodiversity" (para 65(f)). The same section also clarifies that States party to the treaty should take action immediately to: • "Conserve, protect and restore biodiversity for the current and future generations", which can be understood to include marine biodiversity; • "Ensure access to safe and sufficient water and healthy aquatic ecosystems", which includes the ocean and its role in the global water cycle; and • "Transform industrial fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food aimed at preventing malnutrition and undernutrition" (para 65), which includes fisheries, according to definitions of 'agriculture' in the UN system. As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub is taking the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CBD. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategising and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. The collaboration has also achieved societal impacts. It has raised awareness and contributed to building the capacity of 1533 government officials, youth and children environmental defenders, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, students, and academics on the interconnection between children's human rights, climate change and a healthy ocean. On average over 60 per cent of attendees across all the events listed as part of this collaboration were women. This confirms our commitment to promote gender equality, as well as the interest and need for capacity building for women in this area of collaboration. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes: This partnership began in 2021 and has so far led to One Ocean Hub inputs into: • The first Core Partner meeting of the Children's Environmental Right Initiative, at the start of their campaign calling for the recognition of children's right to a healthy environment. The Hub's primary contribution to this is on (in-kind) international legal research on the human rights of the child to a healthy ocean, as a contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's process to develop the General Comment on Child Rights, Environment and Climate Change. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera presented at the Core partner meeting on 27 July 2021. • Professor Elisa Morgera was also asked to contribute on oceans and children's rights to the North America regional consultation in July 2021 on the rights of the child which are part of a series of consultations being held by CERI on the development of a Children's Charter on a Healthy Environment. Professor Morgera's contribution was specifically on the value of applying a rights lens and rights-based approaches - both as a stimulus for action and a safeguard to prevent harm in conservation measures. In March 2022, Prof Morgera and Hub early career researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to the global consultations on the future content of General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change was published in August 2023. It incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean provided by Hub researchers (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). • Hub researchers including Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University) participated in the co-development UN e-learning course for 13-15-year-old (https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-childrens-human-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean/); and inputs (via CERI) into UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's new General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change. Position papers/policy briefs/impact story The Hub developed a position paper and a series of policy briefs on the rights of the child in the context of a healthy ocean environment to contribute to new UN Comment on human rights of the child to a healthy environment, being developed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: • Sweeney M, Morgera E and Shields S. (2021). "SDG 14 and Children's Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SDG14-and-childrens-human-rights.pdf. • Sweeney M and Morgera E. (2022). "Don't Forget a Healthy Ocean as Part of Children's Right to a Healthy Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-dont-forget-a-healthy-ocean-as-part-of-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what children's human rights experts need to know about a healthy ocean as part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-childrens-human-rights-experts-need-to-know-about-a-healthy-oceanas-part-of-the-right-to-a-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what ocean experts need to know about children's human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-ocean-experts-need-to-know-about-childrens-human-right-to-aclean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment-including-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief:10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Impact Story: Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Bringing the Hub's unique perspective to the UN climate change framework. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Informing new UN guidance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf. • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the FAO SSF Guidelines, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/ • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/ Events: • Navigating Ocean Literacy & Sustainability in the Classroom, 10 June 2020 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw. The event was attended by 62 attendees. • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. The event was attended by 45 attendees. • Code Red, the planet is burning! organised by the Universite de Geneve, 5-6 May 2022, (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/. The event was attended by 75 persons. • Right-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, co-organised by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, UN Environment Programme and YouthforOceans. A side event at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, July 2022. More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The event was attended by 50 persons. • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022 (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022. The event was led by Alana Instituto (online event) and was attended by 60 attendees. • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022. The event was led by PRATYeK (online event) and was attended by 50 attendees. • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Screening of a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor a children representative from Ghana before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit, 11 November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. The event was attended by 100 attendees. • Screening of video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana at Alana exhibition booth, the Exibition Pavillion of COP27. The two videos were viewed by 600 persons. • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by five persons. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents (in-person event). The event was attended by 63 attendees. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023 (online event). Recording is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. The event was attended by 266 attendees. Blogposts: • Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing Children and Young People Rights to A healthy Ocean in the Context of Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Morgera E. (2022). "Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy-biodiversity/. • Morgera E et.al. (2022). "The ocean is included in the Zero Draft of the UN General Comment on Children's rights to a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/#:~:text=The%20section%20in%20the%20Zero,the%20marine%20environment%20that%20are • Morgera E. (2022). "Contributing to global consultations on children's right to a healthy environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E, Lennan M, Strand M et. al (2023). "The One Ocean Hub contributes to the UN General Comment on children's rights and a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E. (2023). "UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ • Ofori FNK. (2022). "Protecting children's rights in the context of Ghana's fisheries." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-in-the-context-of-ghanas-fisheries/ • Shields S. (2022). "Highlighting the role of the ocean in the context of children's rights to a healthy environment in the midst of the climate crisis." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-the-context-of-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-safe-and-sustainable-environment-in-the-midst-of-a-climate-crisis/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/. • Sweeney M. (2021). "Advancing understanding of the role of the ocean in protecting children's rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-understanding-of-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-protecting-childrens-rights/. Publications: • Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No 26' Environmental Policy and Law 42, 445-459. DOI: 10.3233/EPL-219052. https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052 • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en • Morgera E. (2024). "International Environmental Law: A Case for Transformative Change through the Lens of Children's Human Rights." Environmental Policy and Law 54. Available from https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl239015. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the effective realisation of children's rights is the foundation to achieve a sustainable future and the attainment of all human rights (UN Human Rights Commission, 15 December 2016 as cited in Sweeney, 14 September 2021). Ocean degradation is a major threat to the protection and enjoyment of children's human rights. However, despite its importance, ocean health has been overlooked in research on children's rights and the environment and in relevant UN reports. One Ocean Hub research and engagement in this area highlight the need for human rights activists, states, and businesses to consider the role of a healthy ocean for protecting and fully realizing children's human rights (Sweeney and Morgera, 21 July 2021). I In 2021 University of Strathclyde (Professor Elisa Morgera) was invited by United Nations Environment Programme to contribute to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI). The aim of the partnership is to co-develop proposals on children's human rights and a healthy ocean, to inform the development of a new international instrument on the human rights of the child to a healthy environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub is the first research consortium to become a member of the Core Group of CERI. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with CERI, the One Ocean Hub (led by University of Strathclyde): 1. Provides expertise in law, marine and social sciences, economics and arts for CERI events and consultations, to contribute knowledge and views on the inter-dependence of children's rights and a healthy ocean. 2. Shares new research in international law, ocean sciences and social sciences on children's rights to a healthy ocean, as well as case studies, innovative methods for and lessons learned in supporting children's participation in ocean science and decision-making processes. 3. Provide children-friendly co-developed materials on ocean literacy and insights on knowledge and education co-production with children. 4. Provide legal, scientific and policy advice on the inter-dependence of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. This has led to an extension of the partnership, with the Hub becoming a member of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect in June 2022. Increasingly, these partnerships have also provided opportunities for joint events and submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes, including the ocean for the first time in these climate-related advocacy activities. Most significantly, these partnerships have led to international policy impact, with the explicit reference to the ocean in the draft UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and a Healthy Environment (zero draft released in November 2022: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/; further inputs from the Hub in February 2023: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ and final version released in 2023) by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ In 2023, the Hub made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/ Together with the Alana Institute, the Hub also responded to the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change to give inputs to his forthcoming report on corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change, which will be presented to the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2024. In our joint submission, we focused on the perspective of children's rights about corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. The Hub also included references to the General Comment in its submissions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea (More information on the Hub's submission is available at: https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-submitted-by-the-commission-of-small-island-states-on-climate-change-and-international-law-request-for-advisory-opinion-submitted-to-the-tribunal/; here: https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/31/written_statements/4/C31-WS-4-10-OOH.pdf; and here https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In 2024, the Hub will increase its activities to clarify the importance of the GC 26 in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights (see separate entries on "Better protecting small-scale fishers' human rights across scales" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers"; and our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably its Global Biodiversity Framework (see our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Alana, Brazil; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Solomon Islands. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Child Rights Connect, Switzerland; Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, UK; Child Rights International Network, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Switzerland; Terre des Hommes, Switzerland; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (VoFG), France; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland; World Vision, UK; Save the Children, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CERI is an international multi-stakeholder platform to ensure that children's rights are placed at the centre of environmental decision-making and action. The platform has been established under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and comprises other Hub partners such as UN Environment Programme UNEP and WWF, as well as UNICEF, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Save the Children and others. Under the partnership with the One Ocean Hub/University of Strathclyde, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), has: 1. Supported disseminating One Ocean Hub knowledge products in international and regional processes on children's right to a healthy environment and bring to the attention of the Hub other opportunities to share research and knowledge products internationally and regionally. 2. co-developed plans, products, children-friendly materials, or/and activities. 3. offered its services and contacts, where possible, to assist the Ocean Hub in drawing awareness of relevant decision-makers to challenges and solutions regarding the relationship between children's rights and the water-based ecosystems. Child Rights Connect is a Switzerland-based association focusing on child rights mainstreaming, empowering children's rights defenders and strengthening the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Working Group is aimed to advance the international recognition and implementation of children's fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment. In order to achieve this objective, the Working Group carries out specific tasks including influencing relevant processes at the UN, particularly the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on environmental matters; mainstreaming children's rights in key human rights and environmental frameworks and processes; and encouraging and supporting the reporting of children's rights violation in relation to the degradation of the environment. They also facilitate exchange, mutual learning and capacity building; promote child-led initiatives and best practices of child participation in environmental activism; and support the work of other networks promoting children's rights to a healthy environment. Although the Working Group focuses on UN Geneva-based activities, it also intends to connect different communities working at different levels and on different issues related to children's rights and the environment (Child Rights Connect, 2020, see here: https://childrightsconnect.org/working_groups/children-and-environment/). In 2021, the Hub contributed to co-develop an UN e-learning course for 13-15yo on children's rights to a healthy environment (launched in 2022) with contributions on its design, approach and content, the inclusion of a Hub early-career researcher, and the inclusion of Hub resources (policy brief and the children's activity book on marine ecosystems from South Africa's MzanSea website). Throughout 2022, the Hub and CERI collaborated in preparing inputs into the development of the UN General Comment on children's rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change, led by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub contributed to various thematic consultations, and was also invited to co-lead on a consultation focused on biodiversity (August 2022). Following the release of the zero draft of the General Comment, which included references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the Hub, Hub researchers submitted further written suggestions to strengthen the draft in February 2023. The finalized General Comment was published in August 2023 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect, the Hub is leading research and awareness-raising among international environmental and ocean governance bodies on children's rights to a healthy environment, and will thus be able to influence the implementation of the General Comment. The partnership with CERI has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Cape Coast University and UWI are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while Rhodes and Nelson Mandela University, also provided expertise in education. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. Since 2021, the Hub has contributed to addressing children's human rights at Climate COPs, with a view to emphasizing their importance at the ocean-climate nexus (see our impact case study at https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) with a combination of events at UN Climate Summits and written submissions. The list of events includes: • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event); • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022 (led by Alana Instituto). • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022 (led by PRATYeK). • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023, online. Recording (for internal purpose only - please do not share it widely) is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg The Hub has also contributed to the following submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes: • Two joint position papers at COP27 in 2022 including "A COP fit for Children: How to support children's participation," https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/cop-fit-children-how-support-childrens-participation/ and "Incorporating Children's Rights into Climate Action," https://ceri-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COP27-Position-Paper-Incorporating-Child-Rights-into-Climate-Action.pdf. • Joint submission to the UNFCCC first Global Stocktake in 2023 with members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Children's Rights Climate Coalitions: UNICEF, CERI, Plan International, Save the Children, Alana, World Vision, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), One Ocean Hub. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/luqu6uo8a7hgh2t8hran9ppbm1. • CERI policy brief for Climate COP28. Available from https://ceri-coalition.org/child-rights-into-climate-action/ • CERI info-sheet for Climate COP28. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/v3eljva56mb9iht6lmua2scr76 The One Ocean Hub has achieved notable impact on international policy-making in the area of children's rights. The Hub successfully ensured that both biodiversity and the ocean were included in the UN General Comment 26. Notably, a section within the Comment clarifies that States party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must take action immediately to "prevent marine pollution by banning the direct or indirect introduction of substances into the marine environment that are hazardous to children's health and marine biodiversity" (para 65(f)). The same section also clarifies that States party to the treaty should take action immediately to: • "Conserve, protect and restore biodiversity for the current and future generations", which can be understood to include marine biodiversity; • "Ensure access to safe and sufficient water and healthy aquatic ecosystems", which includes the ocean and its role in the global water cycle; and • "Transform industrial fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food aimed at preventing malnutrition and undernutrition" (para 65), which includes fisheries, according to definitions of 'agriculture' in the UN system. As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub is taking the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CBD. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategising and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. The collaboration has also achieved societal impacts. It has raised awareness and contributed to building the capacity of 1533 government officials, youth and children environmental defenders, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, students, and academics on the interconnection between children's human rights, climate change and a healthy ocean. On average over 60 per cent of attendees across all the events listed as part of this collaboration were women. This confirms our commitment to promote gender equality, as well as the interest and need for capacity building for women in this area of collaboration. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes: This partnership began in 2021 and has so far led to One Ocean Hub inputs into: • The first Core Partner meeting of the Children's Environmental Right Initiative, at the start of their campaign calling for the recognition of children's right to a healthy environment. The Hub's primary contribution to this is on (in-kind) international legal research on the human rights of the child to a healthy ocean, as a contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's process to develop the General Comment on Child Rights, Environment and Climate Change. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera presented at the Core partner meeting on 27 July 2021. • Professor Elisa Morgera was also asked to contribute on oceans and children's rights to the North America regional consultation in July 2021 on the rights of the child which are part of a series of consultations being held by CERI on the development of a Children's Charter on a Healthy Environment. Professor Morgera's contribution was specifically on the value of applying a rights lens and rights-based approaches - both as a stimulus for action and a safeguard to prevent harm in conservation measures. In March 2022, Prof Morgera and Hub early career researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to the global consultations on the future content of General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change was published in August 2023. It incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean provided by Hub researchers (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). • Hub researchers including Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University) participated in the co-development UN e-learning course for 13-15-year-old (https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-childrens-human-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean/); and inputs (via CERI) into UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's new General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change. Position papers/policy briefs/impact story The Hub developed a position paper and a series of policy briefs on the rights of the child in the context of a healthy ocean environment to contribute to new UN Comment on human rights of the child to a healthy environment, being developed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: • Sweeney M, Morgera E and Shields S. (2021). "SDG 14 and Children's Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SDG14-and-childrens-human-rights.pdf. • Sweeney M and Morgera E. (2022). "Don't Forget a Healthy Ocean as Part of Children's Right to a Healthy Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-dont-forget-a-healthy-ocean-as-part-of-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what children's human rights experts need to know about a healthy ocean as part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-childrens-human-rights-experts-need-to-know-about-a-healthy-oceanas-part-of-the-right-to-a-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what ocean experts need to know about children's human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-ocean-experts-need-to-know-about-childrens-human-right-to-aclean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment-including-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief:10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Impact Story: Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Bringing the Hub's unique perspective to the UN climate change framework. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Informing new UN guidance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf. • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the FAO SSF Guidelines, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/ • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/ Events: • Navigating Ocean Literacy & Sustainability in the Classroom, 10 June 2020 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw. The event was attended by 62 attendees. • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. The event was attended by 45 attendees. • Code Red, the planet is burning! organised by the Universite de Geneve, 5-6 May 2022, (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/. The event was attended by 75 persons. • Right-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, co-organised by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, UN Environment Programme and YouthforOceans. A side event at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, July 2022. More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The event was attended by 50 persons. • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022 (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022. The event was led by Alana Instituto (online event) and was attended by 60 attendees. • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022. The event was led by PRATYeK (online event) and was attended by 50 attendees. • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Screening of a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor a children representative from Ghana before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit, 11 November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. The event was attended by 100 attendees. • Screening of video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana at Alana exhibition booth, the Exibition Pavillion of COP27. The two videos were viewed by 600 persons. • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by five persons. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents (in-person event). The event was attended by 63 attendees. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023 (online event). Recording is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. The event was attended by 266 attendees. Blogposts: • Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing Children and Young People Rights to A healthy Ocean in the Context of Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Morgera E. (2022). "Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy-biodiversity/. • Morgera E et.al. (2022). "The ocean is included in the Zero Draft of the UN General Comment on Children's rights to a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/#:~:text=The%20section%20in%20the%20Zero,the%20marine%20environment%20that%20are • Morgera E. (2022). "Contributing to global consultations on children's right to a healthy environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E, Lennan M, Strand M et. al (2023). "The One Ocean Hub contributes to the UN General Comment on children's rights and a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E. (2023). "UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ • Ofori FNK. (2022). "Protecting children's rights in the context of Ghana's fisheries." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-in-the-context-of-ghanas-fisheries/ • Shields S. (2022). "Highlighting the role of the ocean in the context of children's rights to a healthy environment in the midst of the climate crisis." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-the-context-of-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-safe-and-sustainable-environment-in-the-midst-of-a-climate-crisis/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/. • Sweeney M. (2021). "Advancing understanding of the role of the ocean in protecting children's rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-understanding-of-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-protecting-childrens-rights/. Publications: • Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No 26' Environmental Policy and Law 42, 445-459. DOI: 10.3233/EPL-219052. https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052 • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en • Morgera E. (2024). "International Environmental Law: A Case for Transformative Change through the Lens of Children's Human Rights." Environmental Policy and Law 54. Available from https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl239015. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN |
| Organisation | Save the Children |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the effective realisation of children's rights is the foundation to achieve a sustainable future and the attainment of all human rights (UN Human Rights Commission, 15 December 2016 as cited in Sweeney, 14 September 2021). Ocean degradation is a major threat to the protection and enjoyment of children's human rights. However, despite its importance, ocean health has been overlooked in research on children's rights and the environment and in relevant UN reports. One Ocean Hub research and engagement in this area highlight the need for human rights activists, states, and businesses to consider the role of a healthy ocean for protecting and fully realizing children's human rights (Sweeney and Morgera, 21 July 2021). I In 2021 University of Strathclyde (Professor Elisa Morgera) was invited by United Nations Environment Programme to contribute to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI). The aim of the partnership is to co-develop proposals on children's human rights and a healthy ocean, to inform the development of a new international instrument on the human rights of the child to a healthy environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub is the first research consortium to become a member of the Core Group of CERI. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with CERI, the One Ocean Hub (led by University of Strathclyde): 1. Provides expertise in law, marine and social sciences, economics and arts for CERI events and consultations, to contribute knowledge and views on the inter-dependence of children's rights and a healthy ocean. 2. Shares new research in international law, ocean sciences and social sciences on children's rights to a healthy ocean, as well as case studies, innovative methods for and lessons learned in supporting children's participation in ocean science and decision-making processes. 3. Provide children-friendly co-developed materials on ocean literacy and insights on knowledge and education co-production with children. 4. Provide legal, scientific and policy advice on the inter-dependence of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. This has led to an extension of the partnership, with the Hub becoming a member of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect in June 2022. Increasingly, these partnerships have also provided opportunities for joint events and submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes, including the ocean for the first time in these climate-related advocacy activities. Most significantly, these partnerships have led to international policy impact, with the explicit reference to the ocean in the draft UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and a Healthy Environment (zero draft released in November 2022: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/; further inputs from the Hub in February 2023: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ and final version released in 2023) by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ In 2023, the Hub made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/ Together with the Alana Institute, the Hub also responded to the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change to give inputs to his forthcoming report on corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change, which will be presented to the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2024. In our joint submission, we focused on the perspective of children's rights about corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. The Hub also included references to the General Comment in its submissions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea (More information on the Hub's submission is available at: https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-submitted-by-the-commission-of-small-island-states-on-climate-change-and-international-law-request-for-advisory-opinion-submitted-to-the-tribunal/; here: https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/31/written_statements/4/C31-WS-4-10-OOH.pdf; and here https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In 2024, the Hub will increase its activities to clarify the importance of the GC 26 in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights (see separate entries on "Better protecting small-scale fishers' human rights across scales" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers"; and our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably its Global Biodiversity Framework (see our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Alana, Brazil; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Solomon Islands. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Child Rights Connect, Switzerland; Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, UK; Child Rights International Network, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Switzerland; Terre des Hommes, Switzerland; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (VoFG), France; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland; World Vision, UK; Save the Children, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CERI is an international multi-stakeholder platform to ensure that children's rights are placed at the centre of environmental decision-making and action. The platform has been established under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and comprises other Hub partners such as UN Environment Programme UNEP and WWF, as well as UNICEF, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Save the Children and others. Under the partnership with the One Ocean Hub/University of Strathclyde, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), has: 1. Supported disseminating One Ocean Hub knowledge products in international and regional processes on children's right to a healthy environment and bring to the attention of the Hub other opportunities to share research and knowledge products internationally and regionally. 2. co-developed plans, products, children-friendly materials, or/and activities. 3. offered its services and contacts, where possible, to assist the Ocean Hub in drawing awareness of relevant decision-makers to challenges and solutions regarding the relationship between children's rights and the water-based ecosystems. Child Rights Connect is a Switzerland-based association focusing on child rights mainstreaming, empowering children's rights defenders and strengthening the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Working Group is aimed to advance the international recognition and implementation of children's fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment. In order to achieve this objective, the Working Group carries out specific tasks including influencing relevant processes at the UN, particularly the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on environmental matters; mainstreaming children's rights in key human rights and environmental frameworks and processes; and encouraging and supporting the reporting of children's rights violation in relation to the degradation of the environment. They also facilitate exchange, mutual learning and capacity building; promote child-led initiatives and best practices of child participation in environmental activism; and support the work of other networks promoting children's rights to a healthy environment. Although the Working Group focuses on UN Geneva-based activities, it also intends to connect different communities working at different levels and on different issues related to children's rights and the environment (Child Rights Connect, 2020, see here: https://childrightsconnect.org/working_groups/children-and-environment/). In 2021, the Hub contributed to co-develop an UN e-learning course for 13-15yo on children's rights to a healthy environment (launched in 2022) with contributions on its design, approach and content, the inclusion of a Hub early-career researcher, and the inclusion of Hub resources (policy brief and the children's activity book on marine ecosystems from South Africa's MzanSea website). Throughout 2022, the Hub and CERI collaborated in preparing inputs into the development of the UN General Comment on children's rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change, led by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub contributed to various thematic consultations, and was also invited to co-lead on a consultation focused on biodiversity (August 2022). Following the release of the zero draft of the General Comment, which included references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the Hub, Hub researchers submitted further written suggestions to strengthen the draft in February 2023. The finalized General Comment was published in August 2023 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect, the Hub is leading research and awareness-raising among international environmental and ocean governance bodies on children's rights to a healthy environment, and will thus be able to influence the implementation of the General Comment. The partnership with CERI has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Cape Coast University and UWI are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while Rhodes and Nelson Mandela University, also provided expertise in education. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. Since 2021, the Hub has contributed to addressing children's human rights at Climate COPs, with a view to emphasizing their importance at the ocean-climate nexus (see our impact case study at https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) with a combination of events at UN Climate Summits and written submissions. The list of events includes: • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event); • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022 (led by Alana Instituto). • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022 (led by PRATYeK). • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023, online. Recording (for internal purpose only - please do not share it widely) is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg The Hub has also contributed to the following submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes: • Two joint position papers at COP27 in 2022 including "A COP fit for Children: How to support children's participation," https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/cop-fit-children-how-support-childrens-participation/ and "Incorporating Children's Rights into Climate Action," https://ceri-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COP27-Position-Paper-Incorporating-Child-Rights-into-Climate-Action.pdf. • Joint submission to the UNFCCC first Global Stocktake in 2023 with members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Children's Rights Climate Coalitions: UNICEF, CERI, Plan International, Save the Children, Alana, World Vision, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), One Ocean Hub. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/luqu6uo8a7hgh2t8hran9ppbm1. • CERI policy brief for Climate COP28. Available from https://ceri-coalition.org/child-rights-into-climate-action/ • CERI info-sheet for Climate COP28. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/v3eljva56mb9iht6lmua2scr76 The One Ocean Hub has achieved notable impact on international policy-making in the area of children's rights. The Hub successfully ensured that both biodiversity and the ocean were included in the UN General Comment 26. Notably, a section within the Comment clarifies that States party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must take action immediately to "prevent marine pollution by banning the direct or indirect introduction of substances into the marine environment that are hazardous to children's health and marine biodiversity" (para 65(f)). The same section also clarifies that States party to the treaty should take action immediately to: • "Conserve, protect and restore biodiversity for the current and future generations", which can be understood to include marine biodiversity; • "Ensure access to safe and sufficient water and healthy aquatic ecosystems", which includes the ocean and its role in the global water cycle; and • "Transform industrial fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food aimed at preventing malnutrition and undernutrition" (para 65), which includes fisheries, according to definitions of 'agriculture' in the UN system. As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub is taking the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CBD. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategising and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. The collaboration has also achieved societal impacts. It has raised awareness and contributed to building the capacity of 1533 government officials, youth and children environmental defenders, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, students, and academics on the interconnection between children's human rights, climate change and a healthy ocean. On average over 60 per cent of attendees across all the events listed as part of this collaboration were women. This confirms our commitment to promote gender equality, as well as the interest and need for capacity building for women in this area of collaboration. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes: This partnership began in 2021 and has so far led to One Ocean Hub inputs into: • The first Core Partner meeting of the Children's Environmental Right Initiative, at the start of their campaign calling for the recognition of children's right to a healthy environment. The Hub's primary contribution to this is on (in-kind) international legal research on the human rights of the child to a healthy ocean, as a contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's process to develop the General Comment on Child Rights, Environment and Climate Change. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera presented at the Core partner meeting on 27 July 2021. • Professor Elisa Morgera was also asked to contribute on oceans and children's rights to the North America regional consultation in July 2021 on the rights of the child which are part of a series of consultations being held by CERI on the development of a Children's Charter on a Healthy Environment. Professor Morgera's contribution was specifically on the value of applying a rights lens and rights-based approaches - both as a stimulus for action and a safeguard to prevent harm in conservation measures. In March 2022, Prof Morgera and Hub early career researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to the global consultations on the future content of General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change was published in August 2023. It incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean provided by Hub researchers (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). • Hub researchers including Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University) participated in the co-development UN e-learning course for 13-15-year-old (https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-childrens-human-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean/); and inputs (via CERI) into UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's new General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change. Position papers/policy briefs/impact story The Hub developed a position paper and a series of policy briefs on the rights of the child in the context of a healthy ocean environment to contribute to new UN Comment on human rights of the child to a healthy environment, being developed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: • Sweeney M, Morgera E and Shields S. (2021). "SDG 14 and Children's Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SDG14-and-childrens-human-rights.pdf. • Sweeney M and Morgera E. (2022). "Don't Forget a Healthy Ocean as Part of Children's Right to a Healthy Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-dont-forget-a-healthy-ocean-as-part-of-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what children's human rights experts need to know about a healthy ocean as part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-childrens-human-rights-experts-need-to-know-about-a-healthy-oceanas-part-of-the-right-to-a-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what ocean experts need to know about children's human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-ocean-experts-need-to-know-about-childrens-human-right-to-aclean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment-including-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief:10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Impact Story: Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Bringing the Hub's unique perspective to the UN climate change framework. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Informing new UN guidance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf. • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the FAO SSF Guidelines, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/ • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/ Events: • Navigating Ocean Literacy & Sustainability in the Classroom, 10 June 2020 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw. The event was attended by 62 attendees. • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. The event was attended by 45 attendees. • Code Red, the planet is burning! organised by the Universite de Geneve, 5-6 May 2022, (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/. The event was attended by 75 persons. • Right-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, co-organised by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, UN Environment Programme and YouthforOceans. A side event at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, July 2022. More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The event was attended by 50 persons. • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022 (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022. The event was led by Alana Instituto (online event) and was attended by 60 attendees. • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022. The event was led by PRATYeK (online event) and was attended by 50 attendees. • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Screening of a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor a children representative from Ghana before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit, 11 November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. The event was attended by 100 attendees. • Screening of video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana at Alana exhibition booth, the Exibition Pavillion of COP27. The two videos were viewed by 600 persons. • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by five persons. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents (in-person event). The event was attended by 63 attendees. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023 (online event). Recording is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. The event was attended by 266 attendees. Blogposts: • Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing Children and Young People Rights to A healthy Ocean in the Context of Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Morgera E. (2022). "Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy-biodiversity/. • Morgera E et.al. (2022). "The ocean is included in the Zero Draft of the UN General Comment on Children's rights to a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/#:~:text=The%20section%20in%20the%20Zero,the%20marine%20environment%20that%20are • Morgera E. (2022). "Contributing to global consultations on children's right to a healthy environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E, Lennan M, Strand M et. al (2023). "The One Ocean Hub contributes to the UN General Comment on children's rights and a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E. (2023). "UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ • Ofori FNK. (2022). "Protecting children's rights in the context of Ghana's fisheries." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-in-the-context-of-ghanas-fisheries/ • Shields S. (2022). "Highlighting the role of the ocean in the context of children's rights to a healthy environment in the midst of the climate crisis." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-the-context-of-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-safe-and-sustainable-environment-in-the-midst-of-a-climate-crisis/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/. • Sweeney M. (2021). "Advancing understanding of the role of the ocean in protecting children's rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-understanding-of-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-protecting-childrens-rights/. Publications: • Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No 26' Environmental Policy and Law 42, 445-459. DOI: 10.3233/EPL-219052. https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052 • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en • Morgera E. (2024). "International Environmental Law: A Case for Transformative Change through the Lens of Children's Human Rights." Environmental Policy and Law 54. Available from https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl239015. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN |
| Organisation | Scottish Association For Marine Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the effective realisation of children's rights is the foundation to achieve a sustainable future and the attainment of all human rights (UN Human Rights Commission, 15 December 2016 as cited in Sweeney, 14 September 2021). Ocean degradation is a major threat to the protection and enjoyment of children's human rights. However, despite its importance, ocean health has been overlooked in research on children's rights and the environment and in relevant UN reports. One Ocean Hub research and engagement in this area highlight the need for human rights activists, states, and businesses to consider the role of a healthy ocean for protecting and fully realizing children's human rights (Sweeney and Morgera, 21 July 2021). I In 2021 University of Strathclyde (Professor Elisa Morgera) was invited by United Nations Environment Programme to contribute to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI). The aim of the partnership is to co-develop proposals on children's human rights and a healthy ocean, to inform the development of a new international instrument on the human rights of the child to a healthy environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub is the first research consortium to become a member of the Core Group of CERI. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with CERI, the One Ocean Hub (led by University of Strathclyde): 1. Provides expertise in law, marine and social sciences, economics and arts for CERI events and consultations, to contribute knowledge and views on the inter-dependence of children's rights and a healthy ocean. 2. Shares new research in international law, ocean sciences and social sciences on children's rights to a healthy ocean, as well as case studies, innovative methods for and lessons learned in supporting children's participation in ocean science and decision-making processes. 3. Provide children-friendly co-developed materials on ocean literacy and insights on knowledge and education co-production with children. 4. Provide legal, scientific and policy advice on the inter-dependence of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. This has led to an extension of the partnership, with the Hub becoming a member of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect in June 2022. Increasingly, these partnerships have also provided opportunities for joint events and submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes, including the ocean for the first time in these climate-related advocacy activities. Most significantly, these partnerships have led to international policy impact, with the explicit reference to the ocean in the draft UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and a Healthy Environment (zero draft released in November 2022: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/; further inputs from the Hub in February 2023: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ and final version released in 2023) by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ In 2023, the Hub made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/ Together with the Alana Institute, the Hub also responded to the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change to give inputs to his forthcoming report on corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change, which will be presented to the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2024. In our joint submission, we focused on the perspective of children's rights about corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. The Hub also included references to the General Comment in its submissions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea (More information on the Hub's submission is available at: https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-submitted-by-the-commission-of-small-island-states-on-climate-change-and-international-law-request-for-advisory-opinion-submitted-to-the-tribunal/; here: https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/31/written_statements/4/C31-WS-4-10-OOH.pdf; and here https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In 2024, the Hub will increase its activities to clarify the importance of the GC 26 in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights (see separate entries on "Better protecting small-scale fishers' human rights across scales" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers"; and our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably its Global Biodiversity Framework (see our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Alana, Brazil; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Solomon Islands. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Child Rights Connect, Switzerland; Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, UK; Child Rights International Network, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Switzerland; Terre des Hommes, Switzerland; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (VoFG), France; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland; World Vision, UK; Save the Children, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CERI is an international multi-stakeholder platform to ensure that children's rights are placed at the centre of environmental decision-making and action. The platform has been established under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and comprises other Hub partners such as UN Environment Programme UNEP and WWF, as well as UNICEF, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Save the Children and others. Under the partnership with the One Ocean Hub/University of Strathclyde, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), has: 1. Supported disseminating One Ocean Hub knowledge products in international and regional processes on children's right to a healthy environment and bring to the attention of the Hub other opportunities to share research and knowledge products internationally and regionally. 2. co-developed plans, products, children-friendly materials, or/and activities. 3. offered its services and contacts, where possible, to assist the Ocean Hub in drawing awareness of relevant decision-makers to challenges and solutions regarding the relationship between children's rights and the water-based ecosystems. Child Rights Connect is a Switzerland-based association focusing on child rights mainstreaming, empowering children's rights defenders and strengthening the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Working Group is aimed to advance the international recognition and implementation of children's fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment. In order to achieve this objective, the Working Group carries out specific tasks including influencing relevant processes at the UN, particularly the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on environmental matters; mainstreaming children's rights in key human rights and environmental frameworks and processes; and encouraging and supporting the reporting of children's rights violation in relation to the degradation of the environment. They also facilitate exchange, mutual learning and capacity building; promote child-led initiatives and best practices of child participation in environmental activism; and support the work of other networks promoting children's rights to a healthy environment. Although the Working Group focuses on UN Geneva-based activities, it also intends to connect different communities working at different levels and on different issues related to children's rights and the environment (Child Rights Connect, 2020, see here: https://childrightsconnect.org/working_groups/children-and-environment/). In 2021, the Hub contributed to co-develop an UN e-learning course for 13-15yo on children's rights to a healthy environment (launched in 2022) with contributions on its design, approach and content, the inclusion of a Hub early-career researcher, and the inclusion of Hub resources (policy brief and the children's activity book on marine ecosystems from South Africa's MzanSea website). Throughout 2022, the Hub and CERI collaborated in preparing inputs into the development of the UN General Comment on children's rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change, led by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub contributed to various thematic consultations, and was also invited to co-lead on a consultation focused on biodiversity (August 2022). Following the release of the zero draft of the General Comment, which included references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the Hub, Hub researchers submitted further written suggestions to strengthen the draft in February 2023. The finalized General Comment was published in August 2023 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect, the Hub is leading research and awareness-raising among international environmental and ocean governance bodies on children's rights to a healthy environment, and will thus be able to influence the implementation of the General Comment. The partnership with CERI has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Cape Coast University and UWI are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while Rhodes and Nelson Mandela University, also provided expertise in education. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. Since 2021, the Hub has contributed to addressing children's human rights at Climate COPs, with a view to emphasizing their importance at the ocean-climate nexus (see our impact case study at https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) with a combination of events at UN Climate Summits and written submissions. The list of events includes: • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event); • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022 (led by Alana Instituto). • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022 (led by PRATYeK). • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023, online. Recording (for internal purpose only - please do not share it widely) is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg The Hub has also contributed to the following submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes: • Two joint position papers at COP27 in 2022 including "A COP fit for Children: How to support children's participation," https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/cop-fit-children-how-support-childrens-participation/ and "Incorporating Children's Rights into Climate Action," https://ceri-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COP27-Position-Paper-Incorporating-Child-Rights-into-Climate-Action.pdf. • Joint submission to the UNFCCC first Global Stocktake in 2023 with members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Children's Rights Climate Coalitions: UNICEF, CERI, Plan International, Save the Children, Alana, World Vision, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), One Ocean Hub. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/luqu6uo8a7hgh2t8hran9ppbm1. • CERI policy brief for Climate COP28. Available from https://ceri-coalition.org/child-rights-into-climate-action/ • CERI info-sheet for Climate COP28. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/v3eljva56mb9iht6lmua2scr76 The One Ocean Hub has achieved notable impact on international policy-making in the area of children's rights. The Hub successfully ensured that both biodiversity and the ocean were included in the UN General Comment 26. Notably, a section within the Comment clarifies that States party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must take action immediately to "prevent marine pollution by banning the direct or indirect introduction of substances into the marine environment that are hazardous to children's health and marine biodiversity" (para 65(f)). The same section also clarifies that States party to the treaty should take action immediately to: • "Conserve, protect and restore biodiversity for the current and future generations", which can be understood to include marine biodiversity; • "Ensure access to safe and sufficient water and healthy aquatic ecosystems", which includes the ocean and its role in the global water cycle; and • "Transform industrial fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food aimed at preventing malnutrition and undernutrition" (para 65), which includes fisheries, according to definitions of 'agriculture' in the UN system. As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub is taking the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CBD. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategising and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. The collaboration has also achieved societal impacts. It has raised awareness and contributed to building the capacity of 1533 government officials, youth and children environmental defenders, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, students, and academics on the interconnection between children's human rights, climate change and a healthy ocean. On average over 60 per cent of attendees across all the events listed as part of this collaboration were women. This confirms our commitment to promote gender equality, as well as the interest and need for capacity building for women in this area of collaboration. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes: This partnership began in 2021 and has so far led to One Ocean Hub inputs into: • The first Core Partner meeting of the Children's Environmental Right Initiative, at the start of their campaign calling for the recognition of children's right to a healthy environment. The Hub's primary contribution to this is on (in-kind) international legal research on the human rights of the child to a healthy ocean, as a contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's process to develop the General Comment on Child Rights, Environment and Climate Change. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera presented at the Core partner meeting on 27 July 2021. • Professor Elisa Morgera was also asked to contribute on oceans and children's rights to the North America regional consultation in July 2021 on the rights of the child which are part of a series of consultations being held by CERI on the development of a Children's Charter on a Healthy Environment. Professor Morgera's contribution was specifically on the value of applying a rights lens and rights-based approaches - both as a stimulus for action and a safeguard to prevent harm in conservation measures. In March 2022, Prof Morgera and Hub early career researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to the global consultations on the future content of General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change was published in August 2023. It incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean provided by Hub researchers (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). • Hub researchers including Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University) participated in the co-development UN e-learning course for 13-15-year-old (https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-childrens-human-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean/); and inputs (via CERI) into UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's new General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change. Position papers/policy briefs/impact story The Hub developed a position paper and a series of policy briefs on the rights of the child in the context of a healthy ocean environment to contribute to new UN Comment on human rights of the child to a healthy environment, being developed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: • Sweeney M, Morgera E and Shields S. (2021). "SDG 14 and Children's Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SDG14-and-childrens-human-rights.pdf. • Sweeney M and Morgera E. (2022). "Don't Forget a Healthy Ocean as Part of Children's Right to a Healthy Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-dont-forget-a-healthy-ocean-as-part-of-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what children's human rights experts need to know about a healthy ocean as part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-childrens-human-rights-experts-need-to-know-about-a-healthy-oceanas-part-of-the-right-to-a-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what ocean experts need to know about children's human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-ocean-experts-need-to-know-about-childrens-human-right-to-aclean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment-including-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief:10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Impact Story: Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Bringing the Hub's unique perspective to the UN climate change framework. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Informing new UN guidance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf. • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the FAO SSF Guidelines, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/ • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/ Events: • Navigating Ocean Literacy & Sustainability in the Classroom, 10 June 2020 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw. The event was attended by 62 attendees. • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. The event was attended by 45 attendees. • Code Red, the planet is burning! organised by the Universite de Geneve, 5-6 May 2022, (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/. The event was attended by 75 persons. • Right-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, co-organised by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, UN Environment Programme and YouthforOceans. A side event at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, July 2022. More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The event was attended by 50 persons. • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022 (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022. The event was led by Alana Instituto (online event) and was attended by 60 attendees. • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022. The event was led by PRATYeK (online event) and was attended by 50 attendees. • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Screening of a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor a children representative from Ghana before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit, 11 November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. The event was attended by 100 attendees. • Screening of video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana at Alana exhibition booth, the Exibition Pavillion of COP27. The two videos were viewed by 600 persons. • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by five persons. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents (in-person event). The event was attended by 63 attendees. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023 (online event). Recording is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. The event was attended by 266 attendees. Blogposts: • Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing Children and Young People Rights to A healthy Ocean in the Context of Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Morgera E. (2022). "Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy-biodiversity/. • Morgera E et.al. (2022). "The ocean is included in the Zero Draft of the UN General Comment on Children's rights to a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/#:~:text=The%20section%20in%20the%20Zero,the%20marine%20environment%20that%20are • Morgera E. (2022). "Contributing to global consultations on children's right to a healthy environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E, Lennan M, Strand M et. al (2023). "The One Ocean Hub contributes to the UN General Comment on children's rights and a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E. (2023). "UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ • Ofori FNK. (2022). "Protecting children's rights in the context of Ghana's fisheries." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-in-the-context-of-ghanas-fisheries/ • Shields S. (2022). "Highlighting the role of the ocean in the context of children's rights to a healthy environment in the midst of the climate crisis." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-the-context-of-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-safe-and-sustainable-environment-in-the-midst-of-a-climate-crisis/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/. • Sweeney M. (2021). "Advancing understanding of the role of the ocean in protecting children's rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-understanding-of-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-protecting-childrens-rights/. Publications: • Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No 26' Environmental Policy and Law 42, 445-459. DOI: 10.3233/EPL-219052. https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052 • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en • Morgera E. (2024). "International Environmental Law: A Case for Transformative Change through the Lens of Children's Human Rights." Environmental Policy and Law 54. Available from https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl239015. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN |
| Organisation | Terre des Hommes |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the effective realisation of children's rights is the foundation to achieve a sustainable future and the attainment of all human rights (UN Human Rights Commission, 15 December 2016 as cited in Sweeney, 14 September 2021). Ocean degradation is a major threat to the protection and enjoyment of children's human rights. However, despite its importance, ocean health has been overlooked in research on children's rights and the environment and in relevant UN reports. One Ocean Hub research and engagement in this area highlight the need for human rights activists, states, and businesses to consider the role of a healthy ocean for protecting and fully realizing children's human rights (Sweeney and Morgera, 21 July 2021). I In 2021 University of Strathclyde (Professor Elisa Morgera) was invited by United Nations Environment Programme to contribute to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI). The aim of the partnership is to co-develop proposals on children's human rights and a healthy ocean, to inform the development of a new international instrument on the human rights of the child to a healthy environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub is the first research consortium to become a member of the Core Group of CERI. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with CERI, the One Ocean Hub (led by University of Strathclyde): 1. Provides expertise in law, marine and social sciences, economics and arts for CERI events and consultations, to contribute knowledge and views on the inter-dependence of children's rights and a healthy ocean. 2. Shares new research in international law, ocean sciences and social sciences on children's rights to a healthy ocean, as well as case studies, innovative methods for and lessons learned in supporting children's participation in ocean science and decision-making processes. 3. Provide children-friendly co-developed materials on ocean literacy and insights on knowledge and education co-production with children. 4. Provide legal, scientific and policy advice on the inter-dependence of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. This has led to an extension of the partnership, with the Hub becoming a member of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect in June 2022. Increasingly, these partnerships have also provided opportunities for joint events and submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes, including the ocean for the first time in these climate-related advocacy activities. Most significantly, these partnerships have led to international policy impact, with the explicit reference to the ocean in the draft UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and a Healthy Environment (zero draft released in November 2022: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/; further inputs from the Hub in February 2023: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ and final version released in 2023) by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ In 2023, the Hub made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/ Together with the Alana Institute, the Hub also responded to the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change to give inputs to his forthcoming report on corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change, which will be presented to the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2024. In our joint submission, we focused on the perspective of children's rights about corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. The Hub also included references to the General Comment in its submissions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea (More information on the Hub's submission is available at: https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-submitted-by-the-commission-of-small-island-states-on-climate-change-and-international-law-request-for-advisory-opinion-submitted-to-the-tribunal/; here: https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/31/written_statements/4/C31-WS-4-10-OOH.pdf; and here https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In 2024, the Hub will increase its activities to clarify the importance of the GC 26 in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights (see separate entries on "Better protecting small-scale fishers' human rights across scales" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers"; and our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably its Global Biodiversity Framework (see our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Alana, Brazil; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Solomon Islands. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Child Rights Connect, Switzerland; Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, UK; Child Rights International Network, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Switzerland; Terre des Hommes, Switzerland; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (VoFG), France; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland; World Vision, UK; Save the Children, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CERI is an international multi-stakeholder platform to ensure that children's rights are placed at the centre of environmental decision-making and action. The platform has been established under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and comprises other Hub partners such as UN Environment Programme UNEP and WWF, as well as UNICEF, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Save the Children and others. Under the partnership with the One Ocean Hub/University of Strathclyde, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), has: 1. Supported disseminating One Ocean Hub knowledge products in international and regional processes on children's right to a healthy environment and bring to the attention of the Hub other opportunities to share research and knowledge products internationally and regionally. 2. co-developed plans, products, children-friendly materials, or/and activities. 3. offered its services and contacts, where possible, to assist the Ocean Hub in drawing awareness of relevant decision-makers to challenges and solutions regarding the relationship between children's rights and the water-based ecosystems. Child Rights Connect is a Switzerland-based association focusing on child rights mainstreaming, empowering children's rights defenders and strengthening the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Working Group is aimed to advance the international recognition and implementation of children's fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment. In order to achieve this objective, the Working Group carries out specific tasks including influencing relevant processes at the UN, particularly the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on environmental matters; mainstreaming children's rights in key human rights and environmental frameworks and processes; and encouraging and supporting the reporting of children's rights violation in relation to the degradation of the environment. They also facilitate exchange, mutual learning and capacity building; promote child-led initiatives and best practices of child participation in environmental activism; and support the work of other networks promoting children's rights to a healthy environment. Although the Working Group focuses on UN Geneva-based activities, it also intends to connect different communities working at different levels and on different issues related to children's rights and the environment (Child Rights Connect, 2020, see here: https://childrightsconnect.org/working_groups/children-and-environment/). In 2021, the Hub contributed to co-develop an UN e-learning course for 13-15yo on children's rights to a healthy environment (launched in 2022) with contributions on its design, approach and content, the inclusion of a Hub early-career researcher, and the inclusion of Hub resources (policy brief and the children's activity book on marine ecosystems from South Africa's MzanSea website). Throughout 2022, the Hub and CERI collaborated in preparing inputs into the development of the UN General Comment on children's rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change, led by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub contributed to various thematic consultations, and was also invited to co-lead on a consultation focused on biodiversity (August 2022). Following the release of the zero draft of the General Comment, which included references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the Hub, Hub researchers submitted further written suggestions to strengthen the draft in February 2023. The finalized General Comment was published in August 2023 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect, the Hub is leading research and awareness-raising among international environmental and ocean governance bodies on children's rights to a healthy environment, and will thus be able to influence the implementation of the General Comment. The partnership with CERI has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Cape Coast University and UWI are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while Rhodes and Nelson Mandela University, also provided expertise in education. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. Since 2021, the Hub has contributed to addressing children's human rights at Climate COPs, with a view to emphasizing their importance at the ocean-climate nexus (see our impact case study at https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) with a combination of events at UN Climate Summits and written submissions. The list of events includes: • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event); • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022 (led by Alana Instituto). • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022 (led by PRATYeK). • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023, online. Recording (for internal purpose only - please do not share it widely) is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg The Hub has also contributed to the following submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes: • Two joint position papers at COP27 in 2022 including "A COP fit for Children: How to support children's participation," https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/cop-fit-children-how-support-childrens-participation/ and "Incorporating Children's Rights into Climate Action," https://ceri-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COP27-Position-Paper-Incorporating-Child-Rights-into-Climate-Action.pdf. • Joint submission to the UNFCCC first Global Stocktake in 2023 with members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Children's Rights Climate Coalitions: UNICEF, CERI, Plan International, Save the Children, Alana, World Vision, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), One Ocean Hub. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/luqu6uo8a7hgh2t8hran9ppbm1. • CERI policy brief for Climate COP28. Available from https://ceri-coalition.org/child-rights-into-climate-action/ • CERI info-sheet for Climate COP28. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/v3eljva56mb9iht6lmua2scr76 The One Ocean Hub has achieved notable impact on international policy-making in the area of children's rights. The Hub successfully ensured that both biodiversity and the ocean were included in the UN General Comment 26. Notably, a section within the Comment clarifies that States party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must take action immediately to "prevent marine pollution by banning the direct or indirect introduction of substances into the marine environment that are hazardous to children's health and marine biodiversity" (para 65(f)). The same section also clarifies that States party to the treaty should take action immediately to: • "Conserve, protect and restore biodiversity for the current and future generations", which can be understood to include marine biodiversity; • "Ensure access to safe and sufficient water and healthy aquatic ecosystems", which includes the ocean and its role in the global water cycle; and • "Transform industrial fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food aimed at preventing malnutrition and undernutrition" (para 65), which includes fisheries, according to definitions of 'agriculture' in the UN system. As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub is taking the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CBD. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategising and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. The collaboration has also achieved societal impacts. It has raised awareness and contributed to building the capacity of 1533 government officials, youth and children environmental defenders, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, students, and academics on the interconnection between children's human rights, climate change and a healthy ocean. On average over 60 per cent of attendees across all the events listed as part of this collaboration were women. This confirms our commitment to promote gender equality, as well as the interest and need for capacity building for women in this area of collaboration. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes: This partnership began in 2021 and has so far led to One Ocean Hub inputs into: • The first Core Partner meeting of the Children's Environmental Right Initiative, at the start of their campaign calling for the recognition of children's right to a healthy environment. The Hub's primary contribution to this is on (in-kind) international legal research on the human rights of the child to a healthy ocean, as a contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's process to develop the General Comment on Child Rights, Environment and Climate Change. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera presented at the Core partner meeting on 27 July 2021. • Professor Elisa Morgera was also asked to contribute on oceans and children's rights to the North America regional consultation in July 2021 on the rights of the child which are part of a series of consultations being held by CERI on the development of a Children's Charter on a Healthy Environment. Professor Morgera's contribution was specifically on the value of applying a rights lens and rights-based approaches - both as a stimulus for action and a safeguard to prevent harm in conservation measures. In March 2022, Prof Morgera and Hub early career researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to the global consultations on the future content of General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change was published in August 2023. It incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean provided by Hub researchers (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). • Hub researchers including Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University) participated in the co-development UN e-learning course for 13-15-year-old (https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-childrens-human-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean/); and inputs (via CERI) into UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's new General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change. Position papers/policy briefs/impact story The Hub developed a position paper and a series of policy briefs on the rights of the child in the context of a healthy ocean environment to contribute to new UN Comment on human rights of the child to a healthy environment, being developed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: • Sweeney M, Morgera E and Shields S. (2021). "SDG 14 and Children's Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SDG14-and-childrens-human-rights.pdf. • Sweeney M and Morgera E. (2022). "Don't Forget a Healthy Ocean as Part of Children's Right to a Healthy Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-dont-forget-a-healthy-ocean-as-part-of-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what children's human rights experts need to know about a healthy ocean as part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-childrens-human-rights-experts-need-to-know-about-a-healthy-oceanas-part-of-the-right-to-a-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what ocean experts need to know about children's human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-ocean-experts-need-to-know-about-childrens-human-right-to-aclean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment-including-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief:10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Impact Story: Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Bringing the Hub's unique perspective to the UN climate change framework. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Informing new UN guidance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf. • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the FAO SSF Guidelines, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/ • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/ Events: • Navigating Ocean Literacy & Sustainability in the Classroom, 10 June 2020 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw. The event was attended by 62 attendees. • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. The event was attended by 45 attendees. • Code Red, the planet is burning! organised by the Universite de Geneve, 5-6 May 2022, (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/. The event was attended by 75 persons. • Right-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, co-organised by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, UN Environment Programme and YouthforOceans. A side event at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, July 2022. More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The event was attended by 50 persons. • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022 (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022. The event was led by Alana Instituto (online event) and was attended by 60 attendees. • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022. The event was led by PRATYeK (online event) and was attended by 50 attendees. • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Screening of a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor a children representative from Ghana before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit, 11 November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. The event was attended by 100 attendees. • Screening of video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana at Alana exhibition booth, the Exibition Pavillion of COP27. The two videos were viewed by 600 persons. • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by five persons. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents (in-person event). The event was attended by 63 attendees. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023 (online event). Recording is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. The event was attended by 266 attendees. Blogposts: • Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing Children and Young People Rights to A healthy Ocean in the Context of Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Morgera E. (2022). "Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy-biodiversity/. • Morgera E et.al. (2022). "The ocean is included in the Zero Draft of the UN General Comment on Children's rights to a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/#:~:text=The%20section%20in%20the%20Zero,the%20marine%20environment%20that%20are • Morgera E. (2022). "Contributing to global consultations on children's right to a healthy environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E, Lennan M, Strand M et. al (2023). "The One Ocean Hub contributes to the UN General Comment on children's rights and a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E. (2023). "UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ • Ofori FNK. (2022). "Protecting children's rights in the context of Ghana's fisheries." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-in-the-context-of-ghanas-fisheries/ • Shields S. (2022). "Highlighting the role of the ocean in the context of children's rights to a healthy environment in the midst of the climate crisis." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-the-context-of-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-safe-and-sustainable-environment-in-the-midst-of-a-climate-crisis/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/. • Sweeney M. (2021). "Advancing understanding of the role of the ocean in protecting children's rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-understanding-of-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-protecting-childrens-rights/. Publications: • Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No 26' Environmental Policy and Law 42, 445-459. DOI: 10.3233/EPL-219052. https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052 • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en • Morgera E. (2024). "International Environmental Law: A Case for Transformative Change through the Lens of Children's Human Rights." Environmental Policy and Law 54. Available from https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl239015. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the effective realisation of children's rights is the foundation to achieve a sustainable future and the attainment of all human rights (UN Human Rights Commission, 15 December 2016 as cited in Sweeney, 14 September 2021). Ocean degradation is a major threat to the protection and enjoyment of children's human rights. However, despite its importance, ocean health has been overlooked in research on children's rights and the environment and in relevant UN reports. One Ocean Hub research and engagement in this area highlight the need for human rights activists, states, and businesses to consider the role of a healthy ocean for protecting and fully realizing children's human rights (Sweeney and Morgera, 21 July 2021). I In 2021 University of Strathclyde (Professor Elisa Morgera) was invited by United Nations Environment Programme to contribute to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI). The aim of the partnership is to co-develop proposals on children's human rights and a healthy ocean, to inform the development of a new international instrument on the human rights of the child to a healthy environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub is the first research consortium to become a member of the Core Group of CERI. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with CERI, the One Ocean Hub (led by University of Strathclyde): 1. Provides expertise in law, marine and social sciences, economics and arts for CERI events and consultations, to contribute knowledge and views on the inter-dependence of children's rights and a healthy ocean. 2. Shares new research in international law, ocean sciences and social sciences on children's rights to a healthy ocean, as well as case studies, innovative methods for and lessons learned in supporting children's participation in ocean science and decision-making processes. 3. Provide children-friendly co-developed materials on ocean literacy and insights on knowledge and education co-production with children. 4. Provide legal, scientific and policy advice on the inter-dependence of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. This has led to an extension of the partnership, with the Hub becoming a member of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect in June 2022. Increasingly, these partnerships have also provided opportunities for joint events and submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes, including the ocean for the first time in these climate-related advocacy activities. Most significantly, these partnerships have led to international policy impact, with the explicit reference to the ocean in the draft UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and a Healthy Environment (zero draft released in November 2022: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/; further inputs from the Hub in February 2023: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ and final version released in 2023) by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ In 2023, the Hub made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/ Together with the Alana Institute, the Hub also responded to the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change to give inputs to his forthcoming report on corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change, which will be presented to the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2024. In our joint submission, we focused on the perspective of children's rights about corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. The Hub also included references to the General Comment in its submissions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea (More information on the Hub's submission is available at: https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-submitted-by-the-commission-of-small-island-states-on-climate-change-and-international-law-request-for-advisory-opinion-submitted-to-the-tribunal/; here: https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/31/written_statements/4/C31-WS-4-10-OOH.pdf; and here https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In 2024, the Hub will increase its activities to clarify the importance of the GC 26 in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights (see separate entries on "Better protecting small-scale fishers' human rights across scales" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers"; and our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably its Global Biodiversity Framework (see our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Alana, Brazil; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Solomon Islands. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Child Rights Connect, Switzerland; Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, UK; Child Rights International Network, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Switzerland; Terre des Hommes, Switzerland; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (VoFG), France; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland; World Vision, UK; Save the Children, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CERI is an international multi-stakeholder platform to ensure that children's rights are placed at the centre of environmental decision-making and action. The platform has been established under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and comprises other Hub partners such as UN Environment Programme UNEP and WWF, as well as UNICEF, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Save the Children and others. Under the partnership with the One Ocean Hub/University of Strathclyde, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), has: 1. Supported disseminating One Ocean Hub knowledge products in international and regional processes on children's right to a healthy environment and bring to the attention of the Hub other opportunities to share research and knowledge products internationally and regionally. 2. co-developed plans, products, children-friendly materials, or/and activities. 3. offered its services and contacts, where possible, to assist the Ocean Hub in drawing awareness of relevant decision-makers to challenges and solutions regarding the relationship between children's rights and the water-based ecosystems. Child Rights Connect is a Switzerland-based association focusing on child rights mainstreaming, empowering children's rights defenders and strengthening the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Working Group is aimed to advance the international recognition and implementation of children's fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment. In order to achieve this objective, the Working Group carries out specific tasks including influencing relevant processes at the UN, particularly the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on environmental matters; mainstreaming children's rights in key human rights and environmental frameworks and processes; and encouraging and supporting the reporting of children's rights violation in relation to the degradation of the environment. They also facilitate exchange, mutual learning and capacity building; promote child-led initiatives and best practices of child participation in environmental activism; and support the work of other networks promoting children's rights to a healthy environment. Although the Working Group focuses on UN Geneva-based activities, it also intends to connect different communities working at different levels and on different issues related to children's rights and the environment (Child Rights Connect, 2020, see here: https://childrightsconnect.org/working_groups/children-and-environment/). In 2021, the Hub contributed to co-develop an UN e-learning course for 13-15yo on children's rights to a healthy environment (launched in 2022) with contributions on its design, approach and content, the inclusion of a Hub early-career researcher, and the inclusion of Hub resources (policy brief and the children's activity book on marine ecosystems from South Africa's MzanSea website). Throughout 2022, the Hub and CERI collaborated in preparing inputs into the development of the UN General Comment on children's rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change, led by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub contributed to various thematic consultations, and was also invited to co-lead on a consultation focused on biodiversity (August 2022). Following the release of the zero draft of the General Comment, which included references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the Hub, Hub researchers submitted further written suggestions to strengthen the draft in February 2023. The finalized General Comment was published in August 2023 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect, the Hub is leading research and awareness-raising among international environmental and ocean governance bodies on children's rights to a healthy environment, and will thus be able to influence the implementation of the General Comment. The partnership with CERI has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Cape Coast University and UWI are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while Rhodes and Nelson Mandela University, also provided expertise in education. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. Since 2021, the Hub has contributed to addressing children's human rights at Climate COPs, with a view to emphasizing their importance at the ocean-climate nexus (see our impact case study at https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) with a combination of events at UN Climate Summits and written submissions. The list of events includes: • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event); • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022 (led by Alana Instituto). • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022 (led by PRATYeK). • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023, online. Recording (for internal purpose only - please do not share it widely) is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg The Hub has also contributed to the following submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes: • Two joint position papers at COP27 in 2022 including "A COP fit for Children: How to support children's participation," https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/cop-fit-children-how-support-childrens-participation/ and "Incorporating Children's Rights into Climate Action," https://ceri-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COP27-Position-Paper-Incorporating-Child-Rights-into-Climate-Action.pdf. • Joint submission to the UNFCCC first Global Stocktake in 2023 with members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Children's Rights Climate Coalitions: UNICEF, CERI, Plan International, Save the Children, Alana, World Vision, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), One Ocean Hub. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/luqu6uo8a7hgh2t8hran9ppbm1. • CERI policy brief for Climate COP28. Available from https://ceri-coalition.org/child-rights-into-climate-action/ • CERI info-sheet for Climate COP28. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/v3eljva56mb9iht6lmua2scr76 The One Ocean Hub has achieved notable impact on international policy-making in the area of children's rights. The Hub successfully ensured that both biodiversity and the ocean were included in the UN General Comment 26. Notably, a section within the Comment clarifies that States party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must take action immediately to "prevent marine pollution by banning the direct or indirect introduction of substances into the marine environment that are hazardous to children's health and marine biodiversity" (para 65(f)). The same section also clarifies that States party to the treaty should take action immediately to: • "Conserve, protect and restore biodiversity for the current and future generations", which can be understood to include marine biodiversity; • "Ensure access to safe and sufficient water and healthy aquatic ecosystems", which includes the ocean and its role in the global water cycle; and • "Transform industrial fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food aimed at preventing malnutrition and undernutrition" (para 65), which includes fisheries, according to definitions of 'agriculture' in the UN system. As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub is taking the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CBD. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategising and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. The collaboration has also achieved societal impacts. It has raised awareness and contributed to building the capacity of 1533 government officials, youth and children environmental defenders, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, students, and academics on the interconnection between children's human rights, climate change and a healthy ocean. On average over 60 per cent of attendees across all the events listed as part of this collaboration were women. This confirms our commitment to promote gender equality, as well as the interest and need for capacity building for women in this area of collaboration. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes: This partnership began in 2021 and has so far led to One Ocean Hub inputs into: • The first Core Partner meeting of the Children's Environmental Right Initiative, at the start of their campaign calling for the recognition of children's right to a healthy environment. The Hub's primary contribution to this is on (in-kind) international legal research on the human rights of the child to a healthy ocean, as a contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's process to develop the General Comment on Child Rights, Environment and Climate Change. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera presented at the Core partner meeting on 27 July 2021. • Professor Elisa Morgera was also asked to contribute on oceans and children's rights to the North America regional consultation in July 2021 on the rights of the child which are part of a series of consultations being held by CERI on the development of a Children's Charter on a Healthy Environment. Professor Morgera's contribution was specifically on the value of applying a rights lens and rights-based approaches - both as a stimulus for action and a safeguard to prevent harm in conservation measures. In March 2022, Prof Morgera and Hub early career researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to the global consultations on the future content of General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change was published in August 2023. It incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean provided by Hub researchers (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). • Hub researchers including Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University) participated in the co-development UN e-learning course for 13-15-year-old (https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-childrens-human-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean/); and inputs (via CERI) into UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's new General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change. Position papers/policy briefs/impact story The Hub developed a position paper and a series of policy briefs on the rights of the child in the context of a healthy ocean environment to contribute to new UN Comment on human rights of the child to a healthy environment, being developed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: • Sweeney M, Morgera E and Shields S. (2021). "SDG 14 and Children's Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SDG14-and-childrens-human-rights.pdf. • Sweeney M and Morgera E. (2022). "Don't Forget a Healthy Ocean as Part of Children's Right to a Healthy Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-dont-forget-a-healthy-ocean-as-part-of-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what children's human rights experts need to know about a healthy ocean as part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-childrens-human-rights-experts-need-to-know-about-a-healthy-oceanas-part-of-the-right-to-a-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what ocean experts need to know about children's human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-ocean-experts-need-to-know-about-childrens-human-right-to-aclean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment-including-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief:10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Impact Story: Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Bringing the Hub's unique perspective to the UN climate change framework. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Informing new UN guidance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf. • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the FAO SSF Guidelines, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/ • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/ Events: • Navigating Ocean Literacy & Sustainability in the Classroom, 10 June 2020 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw. The event was attended by 62 attendees. • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. The event was attended by 45 attendees. • Code Red, the planet is burning! organised by the Universite de Geneve, 5-6 May 2022, (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/. The event was attended by 75 persons. • Right-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, co-organised by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, UN Environment Programme and YouthforOceans. A side event at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, July 2022. More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The event was attended by 50 persons. • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022 (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022. The event was led by Alana Instituto (online event) and was attended by 60 attendees. • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022. The event was led by PRATYeK (online event) and was attended by 50 attendees. • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Screening of a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor a children representative from Ghana before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit, 11 November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. The event was attended by 100 attendees. • Screening of video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana at Alana exhibition booth, the Exibition Pavillion of COP27. The two videos were viewed by 600 persons. • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by five persons. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents (in-person event). The event was attended by 63 attendees. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023 (online event). Recording is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. The event was attended by 266 attendees. Blogposts: • Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing Children and Young People Rights to A healthy Ocean in the Context of Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Morgera E. (2022). "Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy-biodiversity/. • Morgera E et.al. (2022). "The ocean is included in the Zero Draft of the UN General Comment on Children's rights to a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/#:~:text=The%20section%20in%20the%20Zero,the%20marine%20environment%20that%20are • Morgera E. (2022). "Contributing to global consultations on children's right to a healthy environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E, Lennan M, Strand M et. al (2023). "The One Ocean Hub contributes to the UN General Comment on children's rights and a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E. (2023). "UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ • Ofori FNK. (2022). "Protecting children's rights in the context of Ghana's fisheries." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-in-the-context-of-ghanas-fisheries/ • Shields S. (2022). "Highlighting the role of the ocean in the context of children's rights to a healthy environment in the midst of the climate crisis." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-the-context-of-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-safe-and-sustainable-environment-in-the-midst-of-a-climate-crisis/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/. • Sweeney M. (2021). "Advancing understanding of the role of the ocean in protecting children's rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-understanding-of-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-protecting-childrens-rights/. Publications: • Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No 26' Environmental Policy and Law 42, 445-459. DOI: 10.3233/EPL-219052. https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052 • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en • Morgera E. (2024). "International Environmental Law: A Case for Transformative Change through the Lens of Children's Human Rights." Environmental Policy and Law 54. Available from https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl239015. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the effective realisation of children's rights is the foundation to achieve a sustainable future and the attainment of all human rights (UN Human Rights Commission, 15 December 2016 as cited in Sweeney, 14 September 2021). Ocean degradation is a major threat to the protection and enjoyment of children's human rights. However, despite its importance, ocean health has been overlooked in research on children's rights and the environment and in relevant UN reports. One Ocean Hub research and engagement in this area highlight the need for human rights activists, states, and businesses to consider the role of a healthy ocean for protecting and fully realizing children's human rights (Sweeney and Morgera, 21 July 2021). I In 2021 University of Strathclyde (Professor Elisa Morgera) was invited by United Nations Environment Programme to contribute to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI). The aim of the partnership is to co-develop proposals on children's human rights and a healthy ocean, to inform the development of a new international instrument on the human rights of the child to a healthy environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub is the first research consortium to become a member of the Core Group of CERI. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with CERI, the One Ocean Hub (led by University of Strathclyde): 1. Provides expertise in law, marine and social sciences, economics and arts for CERI events and consultations, to contribute knowledge and views on the inter-dependence of children's rights and a healthy ocean. 2. Shares new research in international law, ocean sciences and social sciences on children's rights to a healthy ocean, as well as case studies, innovative methods for and lessons learned in supporting children's participation in ocean science and decision-making processes. 3. Provide children-friendly co-developed materials on ocean literacy and insights on knowledge and education co-production with children. 4. Provide legal, scientific and policy advice on the inter-dependence of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. This has led to an extension of the partnership, with the Hub becoming a member of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect in June 2022. Increasingly, these partnerships have also provided opportunities for joint events and submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes, including the ocean for the first time in these climate-related advocacy activities. Most significantly, these partnerships have led to international policy impact, with the explicit reference to the ocean in the draft UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and a Healthy Environment (zero draft released in November 2022: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/; further inputs from the Hub in February 2023: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ and final version released in 2023) by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ In 2023, the Hub made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/ Together with the Alana Institute, the Hub also responded to the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change to give inputs to his forthcoming report on corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change, which will be presented to the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2024. In our joint submission, we focused on the perspective of children's rights about corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. The Hub also included references to the General Comment in its submissions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea (More information on the Hub's submission is available at: https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-submitted-by-the-commission-of-small-island-states-on-climate-change-and-international-law-request-for-advisory-opinion-submitted-to-the-tribunal/; here: https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/31/written_statements/4/C31-WS-4-10-OOH.pdf; and here https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In 2024, the Hub will increase its activities to clarify the importance of the GC 26 in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights (see separate entries on "Better protecting small-scale fishers' human rights across scales" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers"; and our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably its Global Biodiversity Framework (see our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Alana, Brazil; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Solomon Islands. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Child Rights Connect, Switzerland; Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, UK; Child Rights International Network, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Switzerland; Terre des Hommes, Switzerland; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (VoFG), France; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland; World Vision, UK; Save the Children, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CERI is an international multi-stakeholder platform to ensure that children's rights are placed at the centre of environmental decision-making and action. The platform has been established under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and comprises other Hub partners such as UN Environment Programme UNEP and WWF, as well as UNICEF, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Save the Children and others. Under the partnership with the One Ocean Hub/University of Strathclyde, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), has: 1. Supported disseminating One Ocean Hub knowledge products in international and regional processes on children's right to a healthy environment and bring to the attention of the Hub other opportunities to share research and knowledge products internationally and regionally. 2. co-developed plans, products, children-friendly materials, or/and activities. 3. offered its services and contacts, where possible, to assist the Ocean Hub in drawing awareness of relevant decision-makers to challenges and solutions regarding the relationship between children's rights and the water-based ecosystems. Child Rights Connect is a Switzerland-based association focusing on child rights mainstreaming, empowering children's rights defenders and strengthening the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Working Group is aimed to advance the international recognition and implementation of children's fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment. In order to achieve this objective, the Working Group carries out specific tasks including influencing relevant processes at the UN, particularly the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on environmental matters; mainstreaming children's rights in key human rights and environmental frameworks and processes; and encouraging and supporting the reporting of children's rights violation in relation to the degradation of the environment. They also facilitate exchange, mutual learning and capacity building; promote child-led initiatives and best practices of child participation in environmental activism; and support the work of other networks promoting children's rights to a healthy environment. Although the Working Group focuses on UN Geneva-based activities, it also intends to connect different communities working at different levels and on different issues related to children's rights and the environment (Child Rights Connect, 2020, see here: https://childrightsconnect.org/working_groups/children-and-environment/). In 2021, the Hub contributed to co-develop an UN e-learning course for 13-15yo on children's rights to a healthy environment (launched in 2022) with contributions on its design, approach and content, the inclusion of a Hub early-career researcher, and the inclusion of Hub resources (policy brief and the children's activity book on marine ecosystems from South Africa's MzanSea website). Throughout 2022, the Hub and CERI collaborated in preparing inputs into the development of the UN General Comment on children's rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change, led by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub contributed to various thematic consultations, and was also invited to co-lead on a consultation focused on biodiversity (August 2022). Following the release of the zero draft of the General Comment, which included references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the Hub, Hub researchers submitted further written suggestions to strengthen the draft in February 2023. The finalized General Comment was published in August 2023 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect, the Hub is leading research and awareness-raising among international environmental and ocean governance bodies on children's rights to a healthy environment, and will thus be able to influence the implementation of the General Comment. The partnership with CERI has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Cape Coast University and UWI are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while Rhodes and Nelson Mandela University, also provided expertise in education. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. Since 2021, the Hub has contributed to addressing children's human rights at Climate COPs, with a view to emphasizing their importance at the ocean-climate nexus (see our impact case study at https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) with a combination of events at UN Climate Summits and written submissions. The list of events includes: • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event); • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022 (led by Alana Instituto). • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022 (led by PRATYeK). • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023, online. Recording (for internal purpose only - please do not share it widely) is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg The Hub has also contributed to the following submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes: • Two joint position papers at COP27 in 2022 including "A COP fit for Children: How to support children's participation," https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/cop-fit-children-how-support-childrens-participation/ and "Incorporating Children's Rights into Climate Action," https://ceri-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COP27-Position-Paper-Incorporating-Child-Rights-into-Climate-Action.pdf. • Joint submission to the UNFCCC first Global Stocktake in 2023 with members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Children's Rights Climate Coalitions: UNICEF, CERI, Plan International, Save the Children, Alana, World Vision, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), One Ocean Hub. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/luqu6uo8a7hgh2t8hran9ppbm1. • CERI policy brief for Climate COP28. Available from https://ceri-coalition.org/child-rights-into-climate-action/ • CERI info-sheet for Climate COP28. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/v3eljva56mb9iht6lmua2scr76 The One Ocean Hub has achieved notable impact on international policy-making in the area of children's rights. The Hub successfully ensured that both biodiversity and the ocean were included in the UN General Comment 26. Notably, a section within the Comment clarifies that States party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must take action immediately to "prevent marine pollution by banning the direct or indirect introduction of substances into the marine environment that are hazardous to children's health and marine biodiversity" (para 65(f)). The same section also clarifies that States party to the treaty should take action immediately to: • "Conserve, protect and restore biodiversity for the current and future generations", which can be understood to include marine biodiversity; • "Ensure access to safe and sufficient water and healthy aquatic ecosystems", which includes the ocean and its role in the global water cycle; and • "Transform industrial fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food aimed at preventing malnutrition and undernutrition" (para 65), which includes fisheries, according to definitions of 'agriculture' in the UN system. As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub is taking the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CBD. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategising and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. The collaboration has also achieved societal impacts. It has raised awareness and contributed to building the capacity of 1533 government officials, youth and children environmental defenders, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, students, and academics on the interconnection between children's human rights, climate change and a healthy ocean. On average over 60 per cent of attendees across all the events listed as part of this collaboration were women. This confirms our commitment to promote gender equality, as well as the interest and need for capacity building for women in this area of collaboration. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes: This partnership began in 2021 and has so far led to One Ocean Hub inputs into: • The first Core Partner meeting of the Children's Environmental Right Initiative, at the start of their campaign calling for the recognition of children's right to a healthy environment. The Hub's primary contribution to this is on (in-kind) international legal research on the human rights of the child to a healthy ocean, as a contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's process to develop the General Comment on Child Rights, Environment and Climate Change. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera presented at the Core partner meeting on 27 July 2021. • Professor Elisa Morgera was also asked to contribute on oceans and children's rights to the North America regional consultation in July 2021 on the rights of the child which are part of a series of consultations being held by CERI on the development of a Children's Charter on a Healthy Environment. Professor Morgera's contribution was specifically on the value of applying a rights lens and rights-based approaches - both as a stimulus for action and a safeguard to prevent harm in conservation measures. In March 2022, Prof Morgera and Hub early career researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to the global consultations on the future content of General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change was published in August 2023. It incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean provided by Hub researchers (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). • Hub researchers including Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University) participated in the co-development UN e-learning course for 13-15-year-old (https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-childrens-human-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean/); and inputs (via CERI) into UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's new General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change. Position papers/policy briefs/impact story The Hub developed a position paper and a series of policy briefs on the rights of the child in the context of a healthy ocean environment to contribute to new UN Comment on human rights of the child to a healthy environment, being developed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: • Sweeney M, Morgera E and Shields S. (2021). "SDG 14 and Children's Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SDG14-and-childrens-human-rights.pdf. • Sweeney M and Morgera E. (2022). "Don't Forget a Healthy Ocean as Part of Children's Right to a Healthy Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-dont-forget-a-healthy-ocean-as-part-of-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what children's human rights experts need to know about a healthy ocean as part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-childrens-human-rights-experts-need-to-know-about-a-healthy-oceanas-part-of-the-right-to-a-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what ocean experts need to know about children's human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-ocean-experts-need-to-know-about-childrens-human-right-to-aclean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment-including-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief:10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Impact Story: Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Bringing the Hub's unique perspective to the UN climate change framework. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Informing new UN guidance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf. • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the FAO SSF Guidelines, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/ • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/ Events: • Navigating Ocean Literacy & Sustainability in the Classroom, 10 June 2020 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw. The event was attended by 62 attendees. • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. The event was attended by 45 attendees. • Code Red, the planet is burning! organised by the Universite de Geneve, 5-6 May 2022, (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/. The event was attended by 75 persons. • Right-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, co-organised by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, UN Environment Programme and YouthforOceans. A side event at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, July 2022. More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The event was attended by 50 persons. • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022 (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022. The event was led by Alana Instituto (online event) and was attended by 60 attendees. • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022. The event was led by PRATYeK (online event) and was attended by 50 attendees. • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Screening of a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor a children representative from Ghana before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit, 11 November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. The event was attended by 100 attendees. • Screening of video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana at Alana exhibition booth, the Exibition Pavillion of COP27. The two videos were viewed by 600 persons. • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by five persons. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents (in-person event). The event was attended by 63 attendees. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023 (online event). Recording is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. The event was attended by 266 attendees. Blogposts: • Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing Children and Young People Rights to A healthy Ocean in the Context of Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Morgera E. (2022). "Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy-biodiversity/. • Morgera E et.al. (2022). "The ocean is included in the Zero Draft of the UN General Comment on Children's rights to a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/#:~:text=The%20section%20in%20the%20Zero,the%20marine%20environment%20that%20are • Morgera E. (2022). "Contributing to global consultations on children's right to a healthy environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E, Lennan M, Strand M et. al (2023). "The One Ocean Hub contributes to the UN General Comment on children's rights and a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E. (2023). "UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ • Ofori FNK. (2022). "Protecting children's rights in the context of Ghana's fisheries." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-in-the-context-of-ghanas-fisheries/ • Shields S. (2022). "Highlighting the role of the ocean in the context of children's rights to a healthy environment in the midst of the climate crisis." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-the-context-of-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-safe-and-sustainable-environment-in-the-midst-of-a-climate-crisis/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/. • Sweeney M. (2021). "Advancing understanding of the role of the ocean in protecting children's rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-understanding-of-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-protecting-childrens-rights/. Publications: • Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No 26' Environmental Policy and Law 42, 445-459. DOI: 10.3233/EPL-219052. https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052 • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en • Morgera E. (2024). "International Environmental Law: A Case for Transformative Change through the Lens of Children's Human Rights." Environmental Policy and Law 54. Available from https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl239015. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the effective realisation of children's rights is the foundation to achieve a sustainable future and the attainment of all human rights (UN Human Rights Commission, 15 December 2016 as cited in Sweeney, 14 September 2021). Ocean degradation is a major threat to the protection and enjoyment of children's human rights. However, despite its importance, ocean health has been overlooked in research on children's rights and the environment and in relevant UN reports. One Ocean Hub research and engagement in this area highlight the need for human rights activists, states, and businesses to consider the role of a healthy ocean for protecting and fully realizing children's human rights (Sweeney and Morgera, 21 July 2021). I In 2021 University of Strathclyde (Professor Elisa Morgera) was invited by United Nations Environment Programme to contribute to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI). The aim of the partnership is to co-develop proposals on children's human rights and a healthy ocean, to inform the development of a new international instrument on the human rights of the child to a healthy environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub is the first research consortium to become a member of the Core Group of CERI. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with CERI, the One Ocean Hub (led by University of Strathclyde): 1. Provides expertise in law, marine and social sciences, economics and arts for CERI events and consultations, to contribute knowledge and views on the inter-dependence of children's rights and a healthy ocean. 2. Shares new research in international law, ocean sciences and social sciences on children's rights to a healthy ocean, as well as case studies, innovative methods for and lessons learned in supporting children's participation in ocean science and decision-making processes. 3. Provide children-friendly co-developed materials on ocean literacy and insights on knowledge and education co-production with children. 4. Provide legal, scientific and policy advice on the inter-dependence of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. This has led to an extension of the partnership, with the Hub becoming a member of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect in June 2022. Increasingly, these partnerships have also provided opportunities for joint events and submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes, including the ocean for the first time in these climate-related advocacy activities. Most significantly, these partnerships have led to international policy impact, with the explicit reference to the ocean in the draft UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and a Healthy Environment (zero draft released in November 2022: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/; further inputs from the Hub in February 2023: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ and final version released in 2023) by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ In 2023, the Hub made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/ Together with the Alana Institute, the Hub also responded to the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change to give inputs to his forthcoming report on corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change, which will be presented to the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2024. In our joint submission, we focused on the perspective of children's rights about corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. The Hub also included references to the General Comment in its submissions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea (More information on the Hub's submission is available at: https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-submitted-by-the-commission-of-small-island-states-on-climate-change-and-international-law-request-for-advisory-opinion-submitted-to-the-tribunal/; here: https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/31/written_statements/4/C31-WS-4-10-OOH.pdf; and here https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In 2024, the Hub will increase its activities to clarify the importance of the GC 26 in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights (see separate entries on "Better protecting small-scale fishers' human rights across scales" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers"; and our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably its Global Biodiversity Framework (see our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Alana, Brazil; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Solomon Islands. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Child Rights Connect, Switzerland; Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, UK; Child Rights International Network, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Switzerland; Terre des Hommes, Switzerland; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (VoFG), France; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland; World Vision, UK; Save the Children, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CERI is an international multi-stakeholder platform to ensure that children's rights are placed at the centre of environmental decision-making and action. The platform has been established under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and comprises other Hub partners such as UN Environment Programme UNEP and WWF, as well as UNICEF, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Save the Children and others. Under the partnership with the One Ocean Hub/University of Strathclyde, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), has: 1. Supported disseminating One Ocean Hub knowledge products in international and regional processes on children's right to a healthy environment and bring to the attention of the Hub other opportunities to share research and knowledge products internationally and regionally. 2. co-developed plans, products, children-friendly materials, or/and activities. 3. offered its services and contacts, where possible, to assist the Ocean Hub in drawing awareness of relevant decision-makers to challenges and solutions regarding the relationship between children's rights and the water-based ecosystems. Child Rights Connect is a Switzerland-based association focusing on child rights mainstreaming, empowering children's rights defenders and strengthening the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Working Group is aimed to advance the international recognition and implementation of children's fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment. In order to achieve this objective, the Working Group carries out specific tasks including influencing relevant processes at the UN, particularly the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on environmental matters; mainstreaming children's rights in key human rights and environmental frameworks and processes; and encouraging and supporting the reporting of children's rights violation in relation to the degradation of the environment. They also facilitate exchange, mutual learning and capacity building; promote child-led initiatives and best practices of child participation in environmental activism; and support the work of other networks promoting children's rights to a healthy environment. Although the Working Group focuses on UN Geneva-based activities, it also intends to connect different communities working at different levels and on different issues related to children's rights and the environment (Child Rights Connect, 2020, see here: https://childrightsconnect.org/working_groups/children-and-environment/). In 2021, the Hub contributed to co-develop an UN e-learning course for 13-15yo on children's rights to a healthy environment (launched in 2022) with contributions on its design, approach and content, the inclusion of a Hub early-career researcher, and the inclusion of Hub resources (policy brief and the children's activity book on marine ecosystems from South Africa's MzanSea website). Throughout 2022, the Hub and CERI collaborated in preparing inputs into the development of the UN General Comment on children's rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change, led by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub contributed to various thematic consultations, and was also invited to co-lead on a consultation focused on biodiversity (August 2022). Following the release of the zero draft of the General Comment, which included references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the Hub, Hub researchers submitted further written suggestions to strengthen the draft in February 2023. The finalized General Comment was published in August 2023 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect, the Hub is leading research and awareness-raising among international environmental and ocean governance bodies on children's rights to a healthy environment, and will thus be able to influence the implementation of the General Comment. The partnership with CERI has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Cape Coast University and UWI are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while Rhodes and Nelson Mandela University, also provided expertise in education. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. Since 2021, the Hub has contributed to addressing children's human rights at Climate COPs, with a view to emphasizing their importance at the ocean-climate nexus (see our impact case study at https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) with a combination of events at UN Climate Summits and written submissions. The list of events includes: • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event); • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022 (led by Alana Instituto). • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022 (led by PRATYeK). • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023, online. Recording (for internal purpose only - please do not share it widely) is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg The Hub has also contributed to the following submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes: • Two joint position papers at COP27 in 2022 including "A COP fit for Children: How to support children's participation," https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/cop-fit-children-how-support-childrens-participation/ and "Incorporating Children's Rights into Climate Action," https://ceri-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COP27-Position-Paper-Incorporating-Child-Rights-into-Climate-Action.pdf. • Joint submission to the UNFCCC first Global Stocktake in 2023 with members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Children's Rights Climate Coalitions: UNICEF, CERI, Plan International, Save the Children, Alana, World Vision, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), One Ocean Hub. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/luqu6uo8a7hgh2t8hran9ppbm1. • CERI policy brief for Climate COP28. Available from https://ceri-coalition.org/child-rights-into-climate-action/ • CERI info-sheet for Climate COP28. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/v3eljva56mb9iht6lmua2scr76 The One Ocean Hub has achieved notable impact on international policy-making in the area of children's rights. The Hub successfully ensured that both biodiversity and the ocean were included in the UN General Comment 26. Notably, a section within the Comment clarifies that States party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must take action immediately to "prevent marine pollution by banning the direct or indirect introduction of substances into the marine environment that are hazardous to children's health and marine biodiversity" (para 65(f)). The same section also clarifies that States party to the treaty should take action immediately to: • "Conserve, protect and restore biodiversity for the current and future generations", which can be understood to include marine biodiversity; • "Ensure access to safe and sufficient water and healthy aquatic ecosystems", which includes the ocean and its role in the global water cycle; and • "Transform industrial fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food aimed at preventing malnutrition and undernutrition" (para 65), which includes fisheries, according to definitions of 'agriculture' in the UN system. As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub is taking the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CBD. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategising and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. The collaboration has also achieved societal impacts. It has raised awareness and contributed to building the capacity of 1533 government officials, youth and children environmental defenders, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, students, and academics on the interconnection between children's human rights, climate change and a healthy ocean. On average over 60 per cent of attendees across all the events listed as part of this collaboration were women. This confirms our commitment to promote gender equality, as well as the interest and need for capacity building for women in this area of collaboration. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes: This partnership began in 2021 and has so far led to One Ocean Hub inputs into: • The first Core Partner meeting of the Children's Environmental Right Initiative, at the start of their campaign calling for the recognition of children's right to a healthy environment. The Hub's primary contribution to this is on (in-kind) international legal research on the human rights of the child to a healthy ocean, as a contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's process to develop the General Comment on Child Rights, Environment and Climate Change. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera presented at the Core partner meeting on 27 July 2021. • Professor Elisa Morgera was also asked to contribute on oceans and children's rights to the North America regional consultation in July 2021 on the rights of the child which are part of a series of consultations being held by CERI on the development of a Children's Charter on a Healthy Environment. Professor Morgera's contribution was specifically on the value of applying a rights lens and rights-based approaches - both as a stimulus for action and a safeguard to prevent harm in conservation measures. In March 2022, Prof Morgera and Hub early career researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to the global consultations on the future content of General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change was published in August 2023. It incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean provided by Hub researchers (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). • Hub researchers including Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University) participated in the co-development UN e-learning course for 13-15-year-old (https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-childrens-human-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean/); and inputs (via CERI) into UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's new General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change. Position papers/policy briefs/impact story The Hub developed a position paper and a series of policy briefs on the rights of the child in the context of a healthy ocean environment to contribute to new UN Comment on human rights of the child to a healthy environment, being developed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: • Sweeney M, Morgera E and Shields S. (2021). "SDG 14 and Children's Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SDG14-and-childrens-human-rights.pdf. • Sweeney M and Morgera E. (2022). "Don't Forget a Healthy Ocean as Part of Children's Right to a Healthy Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-dont-forget-a-healthy-ocean-as-part-of-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what children's human rights experts need to know about a healthy ocean as part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-childrens-human-rights-experts-need-to-know-about-a-healthy-oceanas-part-of-the-right-to-a-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what ocean experts need to know about children's human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-ocean-experts-need-to-know-about-childrens-human-right-to-aclean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment-including-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief:10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Impact Story: Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Bringing the Hub's unique perspective to the UN climate change framework. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Informing new UN guidance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf. • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the FAO SSF Guidelines, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/ • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/ Events: • Navigating Ocean Literacy & Sustainability in the Classroom, 10 June 2020 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw. The event was attended by 62 attendees. • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. The event was attended by 45 attendees. • Code Red, the planet is burning! organised by the Universite de Geneve, 5-6 May 2022, (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/. The event was attended by 75 persons. • Right-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, co-organised by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, UN Environment Programme and YouthforOceans. A side event at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, July 2022. More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The event was attended by 50 persons. • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022 (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022. The event was led by Alana Instituto (online event) and was attended by 60 attendees. • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022. The event was led by PRATYeK (online event) and was attended by 50 attendees. • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Screening of a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor a children representative from Ghana before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit, 11 November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. The event was attended by 100 attendees. • Screening of video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana at Alana exhibition booth, the Exibition Pavillion of COP27. The two videos were viewed by 600 persons. • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by five persons. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents (in-person event). The event was attended by 63 attendees. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023 (online event). Recording is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. The event was attended by 266 attendees. Blogposts: • Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing Children and Young People Rights to A healthy Ocean in the Context of Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Morgera E. (2022). "Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy-biodiversity/. • Morgera E et.al. (2022). "The ocean is included in the Zero Draft of the UN General Comment on Children's rights to a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/#:~:text=The%20section%20in%20the%20Zero,the%20marine%20environment%20that%20are • Morgera E. (2022). "Contributing to global consultations on children's right to a healthy environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E, Lennan M, Strand M et. al (2023). "The One Ocean Hub contributes to the UN General Comment on children's rights and a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E. (2023). "UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ • Ofori FNK. (2022). "Protecting children's rights in the context of Ghana's fisheries." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-in-the-context-of-ghanas-fisheries/ • Shields S. (2022). "Highlighting the role of the ocean in the context of children's rights to a healthy environment in the midst of the climate crisis." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-the-context-of-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-safe-and-sustainable-environment-in-the-midst-of-a-climate-crisis/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/. • Sweeney M. (2021). "Advancing understanding of the role of the ocean in protecting children's rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-understanding-of-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-protecting-childrens-rights/. Publications: • Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No 26' Environmental Policy and Law 42, 445-459. DOI: 10.3233/EPL-219052. https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052 • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en • Morgera E. (2024). "International Environmental Law: A Case for Transformative Change through the Lens of Children's Human Rights." Environmental Policy and Law 54. Available from https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl239015. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A HEALTHY OCEAN |
| Organisation | World Vision |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the effective realisation of children's rights is the foundation to achieve a sustainable future and the attainment of all human rights (UN Human Rights Commission, 15 December 2016 as cited in Sweeney, 14 September 2021). Ocean degradation is a major threat to the protection and enjoyment of children's human rights. However, despite its importance, ocean health has been overlooked in research on children's rights and the environment and in relevant UN reports. One Ocean Hub research and engagement in this area highlight the need for human rights activists, states, and businesses to consider the role of a healthy ocean for protecting and fully realizing children's human rights (Sweeney and Morgera, 21 July 2021). I In 2021 University of Strathclyde (Professor Elisa Morgera) was invited by United Nations Environment Programme to contribute to the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI). The aim of the partnership is to co-develop proposals on children's human rights and a healthy ocean, to inform the development of a new international instrument on the human rights of the child to a healthy environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub is the first research consortium to become a member of the Core Group of CERI. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with CERI, the One Ocean Hub (led by University of Strathclyde): 1. Provides expertise in law, marine and social sciences, economics and arts for CERI events and consultations, to contribute knowledge and views on the inter-dependence of children's rights and a healthy ocean. 2. Shares new research in international law, ocean sciences and social sciences on children's rights to a healthy ocean, as well as case studies, innovative methods for and lessons learned in supporting children's participation in ocean science and decision-making processes. 3. Provide children-friendly co-developed materials on ocean literacy and insights on knowledge and education co-production with children. 4. Provide legal, scientific and policy advice on the inter-dependence of children's human rights and a healthy ocean. This has led to an extension of the partnership, with the Hub becoming a member of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect in June 2022. Increasingly, these partnerships have also provided opportunities for joint events and submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes, including the ocean for the first time in these climate-related advocacy activities. Most significantly, these partnerships have led to international policy impact, with the explicit reference to the ocean in the draft UN General Comment on Children's Human Rights and a Healthy Environment (zero draft released in November 2022: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/; further inputs from the Hub in February 2023: https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ and final version released in 2023) by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ In 2023, the Hub made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on child and youth human rights defenders, with a view to highlight the role and risks of children environmental human rights defenders at the ocean-climate nexus. https://oneoceanhub.org/calling-attention-to-children-ocean-defenders/ Together with the Alana Institute, the Hub also responded to the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change to give inputs to his forthcoming report on corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change, which will be presented to the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2024. In our joint submission, we focused on the perspective of children's rights about corporate accountability in the context of human rights and climate change: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/. The Hub also included references to the General Comment in its submissions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea (More information on the Hub's submission is available at: https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-submitted-by-the-commission-of-small-island-states-on-climate-change-and-international-law-request-for-advisory-opinion-submitted-to-the-tribunal/; here: https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/31/written_statements/4/C31-WS-4-10-OOH.pdf; and here https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on-state-obligations-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) to the International Court of Justice (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/legal-note-the-request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of-states-inrespect-of-climate-change/) and Inter-American Court (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/joint-submission/) with regard to their respective requests for an advisory opinions on States' climate change obligations: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/. In 2024, the Hub will increase its activities to clarify the importance of the GC 26 in the context of the implementation of the SSF Guidelines and the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights (see separate entries on "Better protecting small-scale fishers' human rights across scales" and "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers"; and our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably its Global Biodiversity Framework (see our 2024 policy brief at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/). This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, South Africa; Rhodes University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Association for Marine Science, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Alana, Brazil; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Solomon Islands. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Child Rights Connect, Switzerland; Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, UK; Child Rights International Network, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Switzerland; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Switzerland; Terre des Hommes, Switzerland; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (VoFG), France; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland; World Vision, UK; Save the Children, UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CERI is an international multi-stakeholder platform to ensure that children's rights are placed at the centre of environmental decision-making and action. The platform has been established under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and comprises other Hub partners such as UN Environment Programme UNEP and WWF, as well as UNICEF, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Save the Children and others. Under the partnership with the One Ocean Hub/University of Strathclyde, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), has: 1. Supported disseminating One Ocean Hub knowledge products in international and regional processes on children's right to a healthy environment and bring to the attention of the Hub other opportunities to share research and knowledge products internationally and regionally. 2. co-developed plans, products, children-friendly materials, or/and activities. 3. offered its services and contacts, where possible, to assist the Ocean Hub in drawing awareness of relevant decision-makers to challenges and solutions regarding the relationship between children's rights and the water-based ecosystems. Child Rights Connect is a Switzerland-based association focusing on child rights mainstreaming, empowering children's rights defenders and strengthening the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Working Group is aimed to advance the international recognition and implementation of children's fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment. In order to achieve this objective, the Working Group carries out specific tasks including influencing relevant processes at the UN, particularly the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on environmental matters; mainstreaming children's rights in key human rights and environmental frameworks and processes; and encouraging and supporting the reporting of children's rights violation in relation to the degradation of the environment. They also facilitate exchange, mutual learning and capacity building; promote child-led initiatives and best practices of child participation in environmental activism; and support the work of other networks promoting children's rights to a healthy environment. Although the Working Group focuses on UN Geneva-based activities, it also intends to connect different communities working at different levels and on different issues related to children's rights and the environment (Child Rights Connect, 2020, see here: https://childrightsconnect.org/working_groups/children-and-environment/). In 2021, the Hub contributed to co-develop an UN e-learning course for 13-15yo on children's rights to a healthy environment (launched in 2022) with contributions on its design, approach and content, the inclusion of a Hub early-career researcher, and the inclusion of Hub resources (policy brief and the children's activity book on marine ecosystems from South Africa's MzanSea website). Throughout 2022, the Hub and CERI collaborated in preparing inputs into the development of the UN General Comment on children's rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change, led by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Hub contributed to various thematic consultations, and was also invited to co-lead on a consultation focused on biodiversity (August 2022). Following the release of the zero draft of the General Comment, which included references to biodiversity and the ocean as advocated by the Hub, Hub researchers submitted further written suggestions to strengthen the draft in February 2023. The finalized General Comment was published in August 2023 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment led by Child Rights Connect, the Hub is leading research and awareness-raising among international environmental and ocean governance bodies on children's rights to a healthy environment, and will thus be able to influence the implementation of the General Comment. The partnership with CERI has brought together a new Hub's inter-disciplinary team that has connected research across disciplines and scales. University of Strathclyde, Cape Coast University and UWI are providing legal expertise at the national and international level, while Rhodes and Nelson Mandela University, also provided expertise in education. SAMS and Plymouth University are providing expertise in marine sciences. Since 2021, the Hub has contributed to addressing children's human rights at Climate COPs, with a view to emphasizing their importance at the ocean-climate nexus (see our impact case study at https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus/) with a combination of events at UN Climate Summits and written submissions. The list of events includes: • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event); • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (virtual event). Link to recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022 (led by Alana Instituto). • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022 (led by PRATYeK). • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023, online. Recording (for internal purpose only - please do not share it widely) is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg The Hub has also contributed to the following submissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement processes: • Two joint position papers at COP27 in 2022 including "A COP fit for Children: How to support children's participation," https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/cop-fit-children-how-support-childrens-participation/ and "Incorporating Children's Rights into Climate Action," https://ceri-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COP27-Position-Paper-Incorporating-Child-Rights-into-Climate-Action.pdf. • Joint submission to the UNFCCC first Global Stocktake in 2023 with members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) and Children's Rights Climate Coalitions: UNICEF, CERI, Plan International, Save the Children, Alana, World Vision, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), One Ocean Hub. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/luqu6uo8a7hgh2t8hran9ppbm1. • CERI policy brief for Climate COP28. Available from https://ceri-coalition.org/child-rights-into-climate-action/ • CERI info-sheet for Climate COP28. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/v3eljva56mb9iht6lmua2scr76 The One Ocean Hub has achieved notable impact on international policy-making in the area of children's rights. The Hub successfully ensured that both biodiversity and the ocean were included in the UN General Comment 26. Notably, a section within the Comment clarifies that States party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must take action immediately to "prevent marine pollution by banning the direct or indirect introduction of substances into the marine environment that are hazardous to children's health and marine biodiversity" (para 65(f)). The same section also clarifies that States party to the treaty should take action immediately to: • "Conserve, protect and restore biodiversity for the current and future generations", which can be understood to include marine biodiversity; • "Ensure access to safe and sufficient water and healthy aquatic ecosystems", which includes the ocean and its role in the global water cycle; and • "Transform industrial fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food aimed at preventing malnutrition and undernutrition" (para 65), which includes fisheries, according to definitions of 'agriculture' in the UN system. As part of the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment, the Hub is taking the lead in awareness-raising activities and policy briefs on the relevance of General Comment 26 for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CBD. Drawing from Hub's research on ocean-biodiversity-climate nexus and our experience in participating at the UNFCCC's Ocean Dialogue, the Hub is assisting the Working Group on Children's Rights and the Environment in strategising and planning the first UN Children Experts Dialogue that will take place at the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June 2024. The collaboration has also achieved societal impacts. It has raised awareness and contributed to building the capacity of 1533 government officials, youth and children environmental defenders, representatives of civil society, regional and international organisations, students, and academics on the interconnection between children's human rights, climate change and a healthy ocean. On average over 60 per cent of attendees across all the events listed as part of this collaboration were women. This confirms our commitment to promote gender equality, as well as the interest and need for capacity building for women in this area of collaboration. |
| Impact | Resultant Outcomes: This partnership began in 2021 and has so far led to One Ocean Hub inputs into: • The first Core Partner meeting of the Children's Environmental Right Initiative, at the start of their campaign calling for the recognition of children's right to a healthy environment. The Hub's primary contribution to this is on (in-kind) international legal research on the human rights of the child to a healthy ocean, as a contribution to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's process to develop the General Comment on Child Rights, Environment and Climate Change. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera presented at the Core partner meeting on 27 July 2021. • Professor Elisa Morgera was also asked to contribute on oceans and children's rights to the North America regional consultation in July 2021 on the rights of the child which are part of a series of consultations being held by CERI on the development of a Children's Charter on a Healthy Environment. Professor Morgera's contribution was specifically on the value of applying a rights lens and rights-based approaches - both as a stimulus for action and a safeguard to prevent harm in conservation measures. In March 2022, Prof Morgera and Hub early career researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of West Indies, Barbados) and Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to the global consultations on the future content of General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change was published in August 2023. It incorporated references to biodiversity and the ocean provided by Hub researchers (paras 1,20,21, 35, 39, 58, 59, 64, 65, 91,92, 101; see the General comment No.26 text here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/crccgc26-general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights). • Hub researchers including Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University) participated in the co-development UN e-learning course for 13-15-year-old (https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-childrens-human-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean/); and inputs (via CERI) into UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's new General Comment on child rights, environment and climate change. Position papers/policy briefs/impact story The Hub developed a position paper and a series of policy briefs on the rights of the child in the context of a healthy ocean environment to contribute to new UN Comment on human rights of the child to a healthy environment, being developed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: • Sweeney M, Morgera E and Shields S. (2021). "SDG 14 and Children's Human Rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SDG14-and-childrens-human-rights.pdf. • Sweeney M and Morgera E. (2022). "Don't Forget a Healthy Ocean as Part of Children's Right to a Healthy Environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-dont-forget-a-healthy-ocean-as-part-of-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what child environmental human rights defenders need to know to defend and protect a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-child-environmental-human-rights-defenders-need-to-know-to-defend-and-protect-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what children's human rights experts need to know about a healthy ocean as part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-childrens-human-rights-experts-need-to-know-about-a-healthy-oceanas-part-of-the-right-to-a-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief: what ocean experts need to know about children's human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-what-ocean-experts-need-to-know-about-childrens-human-right-to-aclean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment-including-a-healthy-ocean/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Policy brief:10 key messages for reimagining ocean literacies that consider children's human rights to development and culture." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-10-key-messages-for-reimagining-ocean-literacies-that-consider-childrens-human-rights-to-development-and-culturepolicy-brief/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Impact Story: Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Bringing the Hub's unique perspective to the UN climate change framework. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Protecting-childrens-rights-at-the-ocean-climate-nexus_12.10.23.pdf. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Protecting children's rights at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Informing new UN guidance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story-5-Children_informing-important-UN-Guidance_07.11.23-1458.pdf. • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the FAO SSF Guidelines, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-fao-guidelines-on-small-scale-fisheries/ • One Ocean Hub (2024). Policy Brief: Integrating the General Comment 26 on Children's Rights and a Health Environment in the Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, at https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-integrating-the-general-comment-26-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment-in-the-implementation-of-the-global-biodiversity-framework/ Events: • Navigating Ocean Literacy & Sustainability in the Classroom, 10 June 2020 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw. The event was attended by 62 attendees. • COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Live Event Children and young people' human rights to a healthy ocean: their importance for climate change adaptation & mitigation, 12 November 2021 (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoF8hmSpEE. The event was attended by 45 attendees. • Code Red, the planet is burning! organised by the Universite de Geneve, 5-6 May 2022, (online event). More information is available from here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/. The event was attended by 75 persons. • Right-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, co-organised by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, UN Environment Programme and YouthforOceans. A side event at the UN Ocean Conference 2022, July 2022. More information is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The event was attended by 50 persons. • Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean, for UN Conference of Youth (COY) 16, 29 October 2021 (in person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Incorporating Child Rights at COP27: Briefing for Climate Negotiators by the members of the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI), 19 October 2022 (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • 1st Pre-COP Meeting Children and Climate Change Event on 25 October 2022. The event was led by Alana Instituto (online event) and was attended by 60 attendees. • Child led event "No COP Out" on 4 November 2022. The event was led by PRATYeK (online event) and was attended by 50 attendees. • Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (led by the One Ocean Hub), 16 November 2022, Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 Blue Zone, Egypt (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • Screening of a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor a children representative from Ghana before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate" at the Ocean x Climate Summit, 11 November 2022 at Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort. The event was attended by 100 attendees. • Screening of video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana at Alana exhibition booth, the Exibition Pavillion of COP27. The two videos were viewed by 600 persons. • "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," 9 December 2023, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Building 89 (Food and Health Arena), Zone B7, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by five persons. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Youth as Champions for Children's Rights Concept Note, 8 November 2023. This event was led by CERI as part of the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) for its youth constituents (in-person event). The event was attended by 63 attendees. • Pre-COP28 event titled "Incorporating Child Rights at COP 28," 9 November 2023. This event was led by Instituto Alana (online event). The event was attended by 60 attendees. • "General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights," 9 December 2023, SE Room 5, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 30 attendees. • GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World," 9 December 2023, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Pavilion, Green Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai (in-person event). The event was attended by 12 persons. • "The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean," 13 December 2023 (online event). Recording is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bjibrvppelejha0nnsu0qe7ctg. The event was attended by 266 attendees. Blogposts: • Febrica S. (2021). "Advancing Children and Young People Rights to A healthy Ocean in the Context of Climate Change." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-children-and-young-people-rights-to-a-healthy-ocean-in-the-context-of-climate-change/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Advancing children's rights through nature-based solutions." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ • Febrica S. (2022). "Key messages from the UNEP Winter/Summer School on Human Rights "From Oceans to Taps" (Part 2): Children, Ocean Defenders, and Plastics." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ • Morgera E. (2022). "Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy-biodiversity/. • Morgera E et.al. (2022). "The ocean is included in the Zero Draft of the UN General Comment on Children's rights to a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-ocean-is-included-in-the-zero-draft-of-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-environment/#:~:text=The%20section%20in%20the%20Zero,the%20marine%20environment%20that%20are • Morgera E. (2022). "Contributing to global consultations on children's right to a healthy environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-global-consultations-on-childrens-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E and Febrica S. (2022). "Connecting children's human rights and a healthy ocean." Available from https://www.iucn.org/story/202212/connecting-childrens-human-rights-and-healthy-ocean • Morgera E, Lennan M, Strand M et. al (2023). "The One Ocean Hub contributes to the UN General Comment on children's rights and a healthy environment." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-contributes-to-the-un-general-comment-on-childrens-rights-and-a-healthy-environment/ • Morgera E. (2023). "UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-protecting-marine-ecosystems-transforming-industrial-fisheries-and-preventing-marine-pollution/ • Ofori FNK. (2022). "Protecting children's rights in the context of Ghana's fisheries." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-childrens-rights-in-the-context-of-ghanas-fisheries/ • Shields S. (2022). "Highlighting the role of the ocean in the context of children's rights to a healthy environment in the midst of the climate crisis." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-the-context-of-childrens-rights-to-a-healthy-safe-and-sustainable-environment-in-the-midst-of-a-climate-crisis/ • Shields S and Morgera E. (2023). "Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/. • Sweeney M. (2021). "Advancing understanding of the role of the ocean in protecting children's rights." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-understanding-of-the-role-of-the-ocean-in-protecting-childrens-rights/. Publications: • Morgera E and Lennan M. (2022). "Strengthening Intergenerational Equity at the Ocean-Climate Nexus: Reflections on the UNCRC General Comment No 26' Environmental Policy and Law 42, 445-459. DOI: 10.3233/EPL-219052. https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl219052 • Shields et al. (2023). "Children's Human Right to be Heard at the Ocean-Climate Nexus." The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 38(3), 545-580. https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/38/3/article-p545_6.xml?ebody=pdf-67975 • Strand M, Shields S, Morgera E, McGarry D, Lancaster AM, Brown L and Snow B. (2023). "Protecting Children's Rights to Development and Culture by Re-imagining 'Ocean Literacies.'" The International Journal of Children's Rights 31, 941-975 https://brill.com/view/journals/chil/31/4/article-p941_008.xml?language=en • Morgera E. (2024). "International Environmental Law: A Case for Transformative Change through the Lens of Children's Human Rights." Environmental Policy and Law 54. Available from https://content.iospress.com/articles/environmental-policy-and-law/epl239015. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg |
| Department | Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | European Marine Board |
| Country | Belgium |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Lancaster University |
| Department | Lancaster Environment Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Queen's University Belfast |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | The Lyell Centre, Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | The Nature Conservancy |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | The Nature Conservancy |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | Department of Geography |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | University of Education, Winneba |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | University of Gothenburg |
| Department | School of Business, Economics and Law |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | SUPPORTING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OCEAN GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONALLY |
| Organisation | Worldfish |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This partnership started when the Hub was invited to share transdisciplinary research practices at an event organized by the European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. The invitation arose from the European Commission's interest in the Hub's blog post series on transdisciplinarity. Hub Director Elisa Morgera delivered a key-note presentation on the Hub's current understandings of transdisciplinary ocean science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021). Morgera participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Hub Deputy Director Berny Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. As a follow up, the European Commission (DG Research) has shared that they consider the One Ocean Hub the most advanced knowledge co-production project in ocean research to their knowledge and invited the Hub to share findings and methods on transdisciplinary research (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous knowledge holders) with a view to applying the to the EU-funded projects in Arctic, as well as All-Atlantic, ocean research policies. In addition, in 2022, the Hub was approached by the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO to become an Implementing Partner for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development with a view to leading on trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub finalised and sent out the Decade Implementing Partner application to the UN Ocean Decade Secretariat on 2 August 2023. The application document is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/160296/2143358?12#/document/23516761. In October 2023, the One Ocean Hub was formally endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) that serves as the Secretariat of Ocean Decade. More information here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gi094s0u01mq0lup05mph87lpj. For detailed information of the Hub engagement under UN Ocean Decade please also check separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Rhodes University, South Africa; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK • partner organisations based in the Global North: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO, France; The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in the Global South: the Nature Conservancy, South Africa; Marine Program, Vida Silvestre Uruguay; WorldFish, Malaysia • Research organisations based in the Global North: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK; Environmental Planning, Queen's University Belfast, UK; Department of Geography, University College London, UK. • Partner organisations based in the Global North: European Commission, Belgium; European Marine Board, Belgium; World Ocean Council, US; the Nature Conservancy, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The European Marine Board (EMB) is the leading European think tank in marine science and policy and has been active in providing recommendations for priority EU actions and implementation pathways in ocean governance. The European Union's International Ocean Governance Forum itself brought together ocean actors and stakeholders within and beyond Europe to share understanding, experiences and good practices on ocean governance. It was initiated to support the development of the EU's International Ocean Governance Agenda for the future of our oceans. This agenda selected 50 actions to ensure clean, healthy, safe, secure and sustainably used oceans. It is an integral part of the European Commission's Green Deal and the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Life Below Water. The Forum mobilised stakeholders worldwide - including EU Member States, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and science actors - to share and discuss challenges, practical experiences, solutions and pre-conditions for success for: improving the international ocean governance framework; reducing pressures on the ocean and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening international ocean research, data and knowledge. The purpose of the Hub partnership with the European Marine Board and the European Commission is to embed Hub learning and good practices in the creation of a dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance, as well as in other projects' understanding of transdisciplinary science and its benefits for international ocean governance. The recommendations emerging from the 2021 workshop 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November were included in an internal report for the European Commission (shared with the Hub confidentially) in January 2022, which includes several Hub inputs, such as: • A good example is to have a work package zero (WP0) that aims to identify the research questions to be addressed to respond to policy needs and that require the convergence of several academic disciplines. • Funders need to allow research proposals to be submitted with an iterative and adaptive/flexible design (e.g. a two-step approach) that allows for co-design at the start and recurrent opportunities for re-assessment and re-adjustment of the focus of the project based on the emerging learning from transdisciplinarity that will evolve throughout. • Social scientists can lead the way in co-designing transdisciplinary research projects e.g. in sharing experiences, engaging local communities, building trust, increasing acceptance of science, training researchers, sharing methodology and prior findings, and developing and maintaining partnerships. • Establish fair, equitable, and ethical participation of local voices that are often marginalized from decision making and between researchers from different disciplines. Regular assessments and lesson learning on fair partnerships are required, including institutional responses and allocation of necessary resources to support such partnerships. • Use innovative participatory approaches to engage with wider communities and incorporate various different sources of knowledge with science and decision making. Arts-based methods and digital tools were mentioned. • Developed code of practice that includes how to address difficult issues when carrying out transdisciplinary science. • Universities and the academic system must adapt by offering viable career pathways for researchers, and particularly early career researchers, to do transdisciplinary research. • Transdisciplinary research at the nexus of climate change, Ocean, biodiversity, and human rights was highlighted as a necessary pre-condition for transformative science-policy engagements, and to develop inclusive and resilient climate responses for the benefit of the most vulnerable. • Transdisciplinary research on cultural and spiritual services provided by the Ocean, which are largely overlooked in the discussion about climate change and Ocean governance, was highlighted as a topic that would also benefit from support from a new forum. • Scaling up of research, and mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change at Ocean, basin and regional scale were highlighted as vital. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that addresses Ocean-based solutions to climate change while also assessing impacts and benefits on local blue economies. • The need was highlighted for transdisciplinary science that can clearly show: the relevance of BBNJ management and the relevance of BBNJ conservation and use for everyone's basic human rights/multiple SDGs. A transdisciplinary approach could help to highlight the global importance of BBNJ as it is not widely covered in the media at the moment. To improve this, a mix of ecosystem services science, together with legal research and human rights could show the human side of this topic for coastal communities (due to ecological connectivity), bringing together marine sciences and social sciences via research on ecosystem services and human rights. • In terms of the next step on transdisciplinary ocean science forum, the report identify the critical needs for transdisciplinary science to support common obligations and commitments towards international goals related to the ocean e.g. SDGs. In 2022, the European Marine Board and the European Commission invited Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera and relevant Hub colleagues to participate in a peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic on 26 April 2022 to share the Hub methods, findings, approaches, and experience in conducting transdisciplinary research (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ug0kkcmeoi1pv3l64smc354ai3). The workshop involved a story-telling session (each participant will share their experience) and then an open conversation based on guiding questions. Read the workshop concept note here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9h80dkl8kq0eb4h21k5t8mhvl8. The European Marine Board and the European Commission were particularly keen for the following contributions from the Hub, thereby extending the partnership to Nelson Mandela University, Durban University of Technology, Rhodes University, Glasgow School of Art, and University of South Pacific). • arts-based methods to engage with indigenous and local knowledge holders in research (Empatheatre, animation, photo-stories, etc) • legal/human rights dimensions of transdisciplinarity • youth Ambassadors, children's rights and inter-generational dimensions of indigenous knowledge • different regional understandings of/approaches to transdisciplinarity The workshop in April 2022 came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy published in October 2021, the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where the European Commission can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate changing world. At the workshop Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on Hub transdiciplinarity research. Prof Morgera presentation is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2davcv6e4emomldm4koo0vam10. Hub presentations at the 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' co-organised by the European Marine Board and the European Commission have led the International Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to invite the Hub to be a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner to lead in trans-disciplinary ocean research. This invitation is a recognition of the Hub's transdisciplinary research for development that is inclusive of social sciences and civil society. The Hub is co-developing the application with the IOC UNESCO in 2022 with a view of finalising the application and receiving the formal endorsement from IOC UNESCO (Ocean Decade of Ocean Science) before mid-2023 (see: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/njo8s3g69bb7f9as935jb0a8do). In 2022, the European Commission also published their final report 'Feasibility Study on establishing an EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on International Ocean Governance' (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/13da3881-7cc6-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en_. The purpose of the study is to further the EU's cooperation with Africa in a joint ocean governance agenda. The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was interviewed as part of the development of this report by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), in September 2020. The Hub's emphasis on the importance of transdisciplinary approach in research was highlighted as the report published reflected Hub's contribution to the report on (https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/): • The need for the inclusion of marine and social scientists, together with lawyers and economists, in the proposed task force. The report explicitly noted the need for the Task Force to engage expertise in 'international law, including expertise on the UN Convention on the Law of the sea and other ocean-related international instruments, value chain expertise for maritime products and social sciences' as part of the partnership (European Commission, 2022: 44). • For the task force to focus on science that can strengthen the science-policy interface for international ocean governance. Science-policy interface had been named as key strength of the Task force (European Commission 2022: 43). Given the emphasis on the science-policy interface, the report also outlined that stakeholder balance will be taken into consideration in the development of Task Force. At a minimum, the Task Force would include policy experts (e.g. European Commission services, African Union Agencies), academic and technical experts and civil society (e.g. non-governmental organisations, representatives of local communities, and private sector) (European Commission, 2022: 57). • The connectivity across various ocean challenges and land-based activities. The report mentioned land-ocean linkages as a possible thematic theme for the proposed work streams for the Task Force (European Commission, 2022: 119-120). It also underscored the need for mutually supportive collaborative framework across policy, science and market, and utilising governance tools such as Marine Spatial Planning (European Commission, 2022: 101). • The inter-dependency of ocean health and human rights, with a view to integrating relevant considerations in joint initiatives or coordination in international negotiations on the ocean, human rights and the environment. The European Commission report acknowledges that 'promoting rules-based good governance at sea and tackling safety and security issues will also help to achieve other priorities of the EU, including enhance human rights, freedom and democracy, create a level playing field for business and improve working conditions worldwide' (European Commission, 2022: 21). • the need for the task force to be "inclusive" in terms of connecting directly with local-level stakeholders and rights-holders in a meaningful way. The report adopted 'inclusiveness' as one of the key principles for the Task Force to operate under. The term inclusiveness in the report is understood as ' the engagement of a broad variety of relevant stakeholders, and a partnership of equals between the EU and Africa' (European Commission, 2022: 88). • ensuring complementarity and value added of any new proposed EU-Africa initiatives with ongoing and planned initiatives on ocean governance in Africa. The point about value added is incorporated in the report as key principle guiding the operation of the Task Force. To quote the report, 'Added value: The Task Force should add value to existing cooperation initiatives and mechanisms and be complementary to them rather than overlapping with them" (European Commission, 2022: 55). Following the endorsement of the Hub as an Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in October 2023, the Hub was invited by the Decade's international Secretariat and the UK's National Decade Committee to co-organise a series of events in the run up to and during UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (April 2024). These include: • UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting (Edinburgh, 5 March 2024), which aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha, and Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic made a presentation about the Hub's work and its programme on transdisciplinarity for the UN Decade, which was very well received. A DEFRA representative at the meeting offered to support the Hub in its legacy strategy. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona, Spain, 10-12 April 2024): The Hub will organize a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April) to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. The three-tiered event will consist of: a panel on the Hub's ocean knowledge integration; a live performance and conversation on the Hub's art-based ocean research; and a dialogue forum on transformative ocean governance methods with the Marine Social Sciences Network and the University of Cardiff. Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) together with Hub researchers Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Mpume Mthombeni (Director/Artist, Empatheatre) and Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) will be delivering this event's program. - Hub's researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. Programme. The Hub's work represented in this capacity will be Plymouth's deep-sea research. - Dr Nina Rivers will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future- a case study from Ghana'. The One Ocean Hub's detailed engagement under the UN Ocean Decade for Science is reported under a separate entry titled "Contributing to the UN Decade for Ocean Science". Some of the Hub outputs that have paved the way for this partnership are listed below. Transformative policy brief, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief/ Blogposts on transdiciplinarity Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take/ Towards transdisciplinarity - which route to take? Part II https://oneoceanhub.org/towards-transdisciplinarity-which-route-to-take-part-ii/ The development of a transdisciplinary framework for sustainable and integrated ocean development in the Pacific https://oneoceanhub.org/the-development-of-a-transdisciplinary-framework-for-sustainable-and-integrated-ocean-development-in-the-pacific Publications • Hills JM, Lajaunie C, Maharaj PN, Mazzega P. (2021). Orchestrating the Ocean Using a National Ocean Policy: The Case of the Solomon Islands https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676944 • Hills JM and Maharaj PN. (2023). "Designing transdisciplinarity for transformative ocean governance." Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1075759. • Strand M, Ortega-Cisneros K, Niner HJ, Wahome M, Bell J, Currie JC, Hamukuaya H, La Bianca G, Lancaster AMSN, Maseka N, McDonald L, McQuaid K, Samuel MM, Winkler A. (2022). Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research-reflections of early career researchers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac165. • M Lombard et al, 'Principles for Transformative Ocean Governance' (2023) Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01210-9 This collaboration has demonstrable policy impacts as it contributed directly to shaping the work of the EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on ocean governance. The links that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) are broad and deep, resulting from history, geographical proximity and shared interests expressed through an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. The EU is determined to strengthen its relations with the African Union and its members States. Ocean governance, including fisheries and the blue economy, has been identified as one of the areas in which cooperation between the two continents should be scaled up. To put this in motion and as a good example of enhanced cooperation, the setting up of a dedicated Task Force has been considered. Hub research and practices offered valuable insights on the feasibility of and modalities for establishing an EU-Africa "blue" Task Force; the thematic and geographical scope of the cooperation; possible work streams of common interest; profiles for membership; working modalities - including a roadmap - and a communications strategy. The first two events on "transdisciplinary research" that the Hub co-organised with the European Marine Board and the European Commission in 2021 and 2022 brought together around 125 representatives of governments, civil society, regional organisations, and researchers. This collaboration has raised the Hub's profile as a leading collaborative research programme on transdisciplinary research that paved the way for the One Ocean Hub's endorsement by the IOC-UNESCO in 2023 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Implementing Partner. As a Decade Implementing Partner, the Hub's is developing the UN Ocean Decade's Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance and various knowledge sharing activities as part of this collaboration. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality. Over 90 per cent of Hub researchers who lead on transdisciplinary research and engagement are women researchers, the majority of whom (60 per cent) are early career researchers (ECRs). The research and engagement activities carried out by Hub's female ECRs such as Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK), Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde, UK & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) inform the legacy work going forward for the One Ocean Hub. It has also informed a Hub's knowledge integration writing workshop in February 2024, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. |
| Impact | Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021 https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgeracontributestointernationalinitiativesintheoceansphere/; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e6gtvuucoknc7dnhkch1stgiia; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fq7d5522n3h2fct4539eub24fp 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' workshop report that included One Ocean Hub recommendation https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ehhitkukgbpasl6s9fulipl6vh 'Hub emerging researchers reflect on transdiciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research' https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/ 'Contributing to the EU-Africa Joint Ocean Governance Agenda,' https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-eu-africa-joint-ocean-governance-agenda/ Events: • Participation of One Ocean Hub at European Marine Board and the European Commission 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. This event was attended by 50 attendees. • Participation of the One Ocean Hub at the European Marine Board and the European Commission "Peer-learning workshop on transdisciplinary ocean research in the Arctic" on 26 April 2022. The event was attended by 75 attendees. • UN Ocean Decade Conference (Barcelona) 9-12 April 2024 - The Hub will organise a 2-hour Satellite Event (9th April 2024 to launch its Transdisciplinary Toolbox for Transformative Ocean Governance that the Hub is developing as the Decade Implementing Partner. - Alongside this event, Hub researchers from the University of Plymouth will be delivering another Satellite Event, as a member project of Challenger 150. - In addition to the Satellite Events, Hub early-career researcher Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University) will be presenting a poster entitled 'Weaving it all together: Inter and transdisciplinary co-design of ocean science for a sustainable and equitable future - a case study from Ghana'. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Deep Fund Project: Our Ocean Our Identity |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. Pax Jakupa, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga and Lloyd Newton co-produced public murals with emerging artists in Port Moresby, Port Vila and Honiara, respectively. The murals incorporate local symbols, patterns and icons that communicate long-standing relationships with the sea and reinforce the need for global strategies of ocean conservation. The seafaring Lapita people settled the islands of Melanesia more than 3,500 years ago. Since then, the ocean and its resources have been central to physical and spiritual wellbeing. In Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, the sea is a place of shared historical and cultural identity. The islands are recognised as one of the world's most culturally, linguistically and biologically diverse regions. While individually unique, thousands of kin groups are united in their customary knowledge of the sea. Ceremonies and rituals, bodily dress and adornment, canoe building and navigation, feasts and local shell currencies are intrinsically linked to the ocean. These waters, however, face unprecedented challenges. Plastic pollution, industrial waste and ecological decline are just some of the pressing issues that threaten indigenous ways of life. A healthy ocean, and abundance of marine resources, are imperative for livelihoods, food security and cultural resilience. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI) and the UN Climate COP27 side-event "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising three established artists and 12 youth artists (three of whom are female). More than 40 women and children participated in art workshops that provided training in the medium of screenprinting. A market that sold the outputs of these activities in Port Vila raised 66,000 vatu (£450). After the success of the project, the artists and youth have been awarded six further mural commissions (two in Solomon Islands, one in Papua New Guinea and three in Vanuatu), for a total budget of more than £12,000. Pax Jakupa's leadership of the project also directly assisted with his appointment to the position of Lecturer in Fine Art, University of Papua New Guinea. Changes to attitudes and behaviours to the ocean have been observed. In Port Vila, there has been an increase in appropriate litter disposal and regular community clean-up activities are being undertaken. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Pax Jakupa with Derrick Lendu, Georgina Woti. Our Ocean Our Identity: Papua New Guinea. 2021. Mural. Papua New Guinea • Lloyd Newton with Stanley Biriau, Allen Makana, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, Susan Vivi. Our Ocean Our Identity: Solomon Islands. 2021. Mural. Solomon Islands • Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga with Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Jimmal Kuautonga, Marisha Kuautonga. Our Ocean Our Identity: Vanuatu. 2021. Mural. Vanuatu • Derek Lendu. Sea Undertaker. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. Papua New Guinea • Georgina Woti. Untitled. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. Papua New Guinea Project collaborators: Remy Amos, Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Stanley Biriau, Pax Jakupa, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga, Jimmal Kuautonga, Marisha Kuautonga, Derrick Lendu, Allen Makana, Lloyd Newton, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, Susan Vivi, Georgina Woti Project Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Local Artist Wins Award. Solomon Star. 13 March 2021. https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/25266-local-artist-wins-award • Local Artist Wins Award. Vanuatu Daily Post. 13 March 2021 https://dailypost.vu/news/local-artist-wins-award/article_15db1e24-8519-11eb-8138-1bad3ed14307.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu. 6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Deep Fund Project: Our Ocean Our Identity |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. Pax Jakupa, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga and Lloyd Newton co-produced public murals with emerging artists in Port Moresby, Port Vila and Honiara, respectively. The murals incorporate local symbols, patterns and icons that communicate long-standing relationships with the sea and reinforce the need for global strategies of ocean conservation. The seafaring Lapita people settled the islands of Melanesia more than 3,500 years ago. Since then, the ocean and its resources have been central to physical and spiritual wellbeing. In Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, the sea is a place of shared historical and cultural identity. The islands are recognised as one of the world's most culturally, linguistically and biologically diverse regions. While individually unique, thousands of kin groups are united in their customary knowledge of the sea. Ceremonies and rituals, bodily dress and adornment, canoe building and navigation, feasts and local shell currencies are intrinsically linked to the ocean. These waters, however, face unprecedented challenges. Plastic pollution, industrial waste and ecological decline are just some of the pressing issues that threaten indigenous ways of life. A healthy ocean, and abundance of marine resources, are imperative for livelihoods, food security and cultural resilience. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI) and the UN Climate COP27 side-event "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising three established artists and 12 youth artists (three of whom are female). More than 40 women and children participated in art workshops that provided training in the medium of screenprinting. A market that sold the outputs of these activities in Port Vila raised 66,000 vatu (£450). After the success of the project, the artists and youth have been awarded six further mural commissions (two in Solomon Islands, one in Papua New Guinea and three in Vanuatu), for a total budget of more than £12,000. Pax Jakupa's leadership of the project also directly assisted with his appointment to the position of Lecturer in Fine Art, University of Papua New Guinea. Changes to attitudes and behaviours to the ocean have been observed. In Port Vila, there has been an increase in appropriate litter disposal and regular community clean-up activities are being undertaken. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Pax Jakupa with Derrick Lendu, Georgina Woti. Our Ocean Our Identity: Papua New Guinea. 2021. Mural. Papua New Guinea • Lloyd Newton with Stanley Biriau, Allen Makana, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, Susan Vivi. Our Ocean Our Identity: Solomon Islands. 2021. Mural. Solomon Islands • Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga with Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Jimmal Kuautonga, Marisha Kuautonga. Our Ocean Our Identity: Vanuatu. 2021. Mural. Vanuatu • Derek Lendu. Sea Undertaker. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. Papua New Guinea • Georgina Woti. Untitled. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. Papua New Guinea Project collaborators: Remy Amos, Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Stanley Biriau, Pax Jakupa, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga, Jimmal Kuautonga, Marisha Kuautonga, Derrick Lendu, Allen Makana, Lloyd Newton, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, Susan Vivi, Georgina Woti Project Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Local Artist Wins Award. Solomon Star. 13 March 2021. https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/25266-local-artist-wins-award • Local Artist Wins Award. Vanuatu Daily Post. 13 March 2021 https://dailypost.vu/news/local-artist-wins-award/article_15db1e24-8519-11eb-8138-1bad3ed14307.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu. 6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Deep Fund Project: Our Ocean Our Identity |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. Pax Jakupa, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga and Lloyd Newton co-produced public murals with emerging artists in Port Moresby, Port Vila and Honiara, respectively. The murals incorporate local symbols, patterns and icons that communicate long-standing relationships with the sea and reinforce the need for global strategies of ocean conservation. The seafaring Lapita people settled the islands of Melanesia more than 3,500 years ago. Since then, the ocean and its resources have been central to physical and spiritual wellbeing. In Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, the sea is a place of shared historical and cultural identity. The islands are recognised as one of the world's most culturally, linguistically and biologically diverse regions. While individually unique, thousands of kin groups are united in their customary knowledge of the sea. Ceremonies and rituals, bodily dress and adornment, canoe building and navigation, feasts and local shell currencies are intrinsically linked to the ocean. These waters, however, face unprecedented challenges. Plastic pollution, industrial waste and ecological decline are just some of the pressing issues that threaten indigenous ways of life. A healthy ocean, and abundance of marine resources, are imperative for livelihoods, food security and cultural resilience. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI) and the UN Climate COP27 side-event "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising three established artists and 12 youth artists (three of whom are female). More than 40 women and children participated in art workshops that provided training in the medium of screenprinting. A market that sold the outputs of these activities in Port Vila raised 66,000 vatu (£450). After the success of the project, the artists and youth have been awarded six further mural commissions (two in Solomon Islands, one in Papua New Guinea and three in Vanuatu), for a total budget of more than £12,000. Pax Jakupa's leadership of the project also directly assisted with his appointment to the position of Lecturer in Fine Art, University of Papua New Guinea. Changes to attitudes and behaviours to the ocean have been observed. In Port Vila, there has been an increase in appropriate litter disposal and regular community clean-up activities are being undertaken. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Pax Jakupa with Derrick Lendu, Georgina Woti. Our Ocean Our Identity: Papua New Guinea. 2021. Mural. Papua New Guinea • Lloyd Newton with Stanley Biriau, Allen Makana, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, Susan Vivi. Our Ocean Our Identity: Solomon Islands. 2021. Mural. Solomon Islands • Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga with Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Jimmal Kuautonga, Marisha Kuautonga. Our Ocean Our Identity: Vanuatu. 2021. Mural. Vanuatu • Derek Lendu. Sea Undertaker. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. Papua New Guinea • Georgina Woti. Untitled. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. Papua New Guinea Project collaborators: Remy Amos, Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Stanley Biriau, Pax Jakupa, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga, Jimmal Kuautonga, Marisha Kuautonga, Derrick Lendu, Allen Makana, Lloyd Newton, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, Susan Vivi, Georgina Woti Project Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Local Artist Wins Award. Solomon Star. 13 March 2021. https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/25266-local-artist-wins-award • Local Artist Wins Award. Vanuatu Daily Post. 13 March 2021 https://dailypost.vu/news/local-artist-wins-award/article_15db1e24-8519-11eb-8138-1bad3ed14307.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu. 6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Deep Fund Project: Our Ocean Our Identity |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. Pax Jakupa, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga and Lloyd Newton co-produced public murals with emerging artists in Port Moresby, Port Vila and Honiara, respectively. The murals incorporate local symbols, patterns and icons that communicate long-standing relationships with the sea and reinforce the need for global strategies of ocean conservation. The seafaring Lapita people settled the islands of Melanesia more than 3,500 years ago. Since then, the ocean and its resources have been central to physical and spiritual wellbeing. In Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, the sea is a place of shared historical and cultural identity. The islands are recognised as one of the world's most culturally, linguistically and biologically diverse regions. While individually unique, thousands of kin groups are united in their customary knowledge of the sea. Ceremonies and rituals, bodily dress and adornment, canoe building and navigation, feasts and local shell currencies are intrinsically linked to the ocean. These waters, however, face unprecedented challenges. Plastic pollution, industrial waste and ecological decline are just some of the pressing issues that threaten indigenous ways of life. A healthy ocean, and abundance of marine resources, are imperative for livelihoods, food security and cultural resilience. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI) and the UN Climate COP27 side-event "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising three established artists and 12 youth artists (three of whom are female). More than 40 women and children participated in art workshops that provided training in the medium of screenprinting. A market that sold the outputs of these activities in Port Vila raised 66,000 vatu (£450). After the success of the project, the artists and youth have been awarded six further mural commissions (two in Solomon Islands, one in Papua New Guinea and three in Vanuatu), for a total budget of more than £12,000. Pax Jakupa's leadership of the project also directly assisted with his appointment to the position of Lecturer in Fine Art, University of Papua New Guinea. Changes to attitudes and behaviours to the ocean have been observed. In Port Vila, there has been an increase in appropriate litter disposal and regular community clean-up activities are being undertaken. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Pax Jakupa with Derrick Lendu, Georgina Woti. Our Ocean Our Identity: Papua New Guinea. 2021. Mural. Papua New Guinea • Lloyd Newton with Stanley Biriau, Allen Makana, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, Susan Vivi. Our Ocean Our Identity: Solomon Islands. 2021. Mural. Solomon Islands • Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga with Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Jimmal Kuautonga, Marisha Kuautonga. Our Ocean Our Identity: Vanuatu. 2021. Mural. Vanuatu • Derek Lendu. Sea Undertaker. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. Papua New Guinea • Georgina Woti. Untitled. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. Papua New Guinea Project collaborators: Remy Amos, Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Stanley Biriau, Pax Jakupa, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga, Jimmal Kuautonga, Marisha Kuautonga, Derrick Lendu, Allen Makana, Lloyd Newton, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, Susan Vivi, Georgina Woti Project Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Local Artist Wins Award. Solomon Star. 13 March 2021. https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/25266-local-artist-wins-award • Local Artist Wins Award. Vanuatu Daily Post. 13 March 2021 https://dailypost.vu/news/local-artist-wins-award/article_15db1e24-8519-11eb-8138-1bad3ed14307.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu. 6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Deep Fund Project: Our Ocean Our Identity |
| Organisation | University of the South Pacific, Laucala |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. Pax Jakupa, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga and Lloyd Newton co-produced public murals with emerging artists in Port Moresby, Port Vila and Honiara, respectively. The murals incorporate local symbols, patterns and icons that communicate long-standing relationships with the sea and reinforce the need for global strategies of ocean conservation. The seafaring Lapita people settled the islands of Melanesia more than 3,500 years ago. Since then, the ocean and its resources have been central to physical and spiritual wellbeing. In Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, the sea is a place of shared historical and cultural identity. The islands are recognised as one of the world's most culturally, linguistically and biologically diverse regions. While individually unique, thousands of kin groups are united in their customary knowledge of the sea. Ceremonies and rituals, bodily dress and adornment, canoe building and navigation, feasts and local shell currencies are intrinsically linked to the ocean. These waters, however, face unprecedented challenges. Plastic pollution, industrial waste and ecological decline are just some of the pressing issues that threaten indigenous ways of life. A healthy ocean, and abundance of marine resources, are imperative for livelihoods, food security and cultural resilience. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI) and the UN Climate COP27 side-event "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising three established artists and 12 youth artists (three of whom are female). More than 40 women and children participated in art workshops that provided training in the medium of screenprinting. A market that sold the outputs of these activities in Port Vila raised 66,000 vatu (£450). After the success of the project, the artists and youth have been awarded six further mural commissions (two in Solomon Islands, one in Papua New Guinea and three in Vanuatu), for a total budget of more than £12,000. Pax Jakupa's leadership of the project also directly assisted with his appointment to the position of Lecturer in Fine Art, University of Papua New Guinea. Changes to attitudes and behaviours to the ocean have been observed. In Port Vila, there has been an increase in appropriate litter disposal and regular community clean-up activities are being undertaken. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Pax Jakupa with Derrick Lendu, Georgina Woti. Our Ocean Our Identity: Papua New Guinea. 2021. Mural. Papua New Guinea • Lloyd Newton with Stanley Biriau, Allen Makana, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, Susan Vivi. Our Ocean Our Identity: Solomon Islands. 2021. Mural. Solomon Islands • Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga with Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Jimmal Kuautonga, Marisha Kuautonga. Our Ocean Our Identity: Vanuatu. 2021. Mural. Vanuatu • Derek Lendu. Sea Undertaker. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. Papua New Guinea • Georgina Woti. Untitled. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. Papua New Guinea Project collaborators: Remy Amos, Jean Yves Bihu, Rapsin Bihu, Stanley Biriau, Pax Jakupa, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga, Jimmal Kuautonga, Marisha Kuautonga, Derrick Lendu, Allen Makana, Lloyd Newton, Walex Raeti, Siru Tana, George Tino, Susan Vivi, Georgina Woti Project Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=our%20ocean%20our%20identity Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Local Artist Wins Award. Solomon Star. 13 March 2021. https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/25266-local-artist-wins-award • Local Artist Wins Award. Vanuatu Daily Post. 13 March 2021 https://dailypost.vu/news/local-artist-wins-award/article_15db1e24-8519-11eb-8138-1bad3ed14307.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/. • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu. 6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Deep Fund Project: Through the Ocean's Lens |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in October 2021. The Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion leads Through the Ocean's Lens, bringing together six female designers to create wearable art that embodies time-honoured bonds with the ocean. Solomon Islands comprises more than 900 islands, 347 of which are inhabited by communities with diverse languages and cultures. The ocean is a space that unites the country's varied customs and traditions. Coastal communities inherit ownership of reefs and lagoons. These sacred waters connect ancestors with current and future generations. Marine fauna, such as sharks, are regarded by some as reincarnations of deceased kin. Shells are crafted into strings of money and elaborate body ornaments that denote power, wealth and status. Indigenous knowledge and practices related to the ocean are essential to identity, wellbeing and livelihoods, particularly at a time when communities are vulnerable to the destructive effects of mining on land and at sea, plantation agriculture, logging, commercial overfishing and climate change. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and University of Strathclyde. The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu in July 2023. Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team consisting of two female project managers, six female fashion designers (two of who are youth), one graphic designer and seven youth models (six female and one male). Workshops and training for the six designers in the areas of fashion design, sewing and tailoring, modelling, marketing and advocacy have increased skills, competencies and confidence. The project was the first time that designers and models had explored the domain of wearable art, providing an opportunity for advancement of the local sector. |
| Impact | Artworks: • Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design. Kaftan Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design. Mandarin Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Lorna Tewa'ani. Ghai Tangi. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Elaine Maepio for Vae Tailor. Eh'a. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Elaine Maepio for Vae Tailor. Valusa. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Marylyn Bae for MB Collection. Kwairabu. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Marylyn Bae for MB Collection. Coral Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Evangeline Aravoha'a. Molo. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Hilleina Hilly. Lagoon Affair. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands Project collaborators: Evangeline Aravoha'a, Marylyn Bae, Hilleina Hilly, Charisma Machu, Elaine Maepio, Julie Pelomo, Lanita Walenisia-Spillius, Justina Radclyffe, Lorna Tewa'ani, Freda Wickham Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • MB Collection Designer Crowned First Ever Wearable Art Show Winner. Solomon Star. 15 Nov 2022. https://www.solomonstarnews.com/mb-collection-designer-crowned-first-ever-wearable-art-show-winner/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu. 6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events: • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Launch. Pacific Crown Hotel, Honiara, Solomon Islands. 13 November 2022. (126 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist talk - Freda Wickham. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions: • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Deep Fund Project: Through the Ocean's Lens |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in October 2021. The Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion leads Through the Ocean's Lens, bringing together six female designers to create wearable art that embodies time-honoured bonds with the ocean. Solomon Islands comprises more than 900 islands, 347 of which are inhabited by communities with diverse languages and cultures. The ocean is a space that unites the country's varied customs and traditions. Coastal communities inherit ownership of reefs and lagoons. These sacred waters connect ancestors with current and future generations. Marine fauna, such as sharks, are regarded by some as reincarnations of deceased kin. Shells are crafted into strings of money and elaborate body ornaments that denote power, wealth and status. Indigenous knowledge and practices related to the ocean are essential to identity, wellbeing and livelihoods, particularly at a time when communities are vulnerable to the destructive effects of mining on land and at sea, plantation agriculture, logging, commercial overfishing and climate change. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and University of Strathclyde. The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu in July 2023. Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team consisting of two female project managers, six female fashion designers (two of who are youth), one graphic designer and seven youth models (six female and one male). Workshops and training for the six designers in the areas of fashion design, sewing and tailoring, modelling, marketing and advocacy have increased skills, competencies and confidence. The project was the first time that designers and models had explored the domain of wearable art, providing an opportunity for advancement of the local sector. |
| Impact | Artworks: • Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design. Kaftan Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design. Mandarin Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Lorna Tewa'ani. Ghai Tangi. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Elaine Maepio for Vae Tailor. Eh'a. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Elaine Maepio for Vae Tailor. Valusa. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Marylyn Bae for MB Collection. Kwairabu. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Marylyn Bae for MB Collection. Coral Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Evangeline Aravoha'a. Molo. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Hilleina Hilly. Lagoon Affair. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands Project collaborators: Evangeline Aravoha'a, Marylyn Bae, Hilleina Hilly, Charisma Machu, Elaine Maepio, Julie Pelomo, Lanita Walenisia-Spillius, Justina Radclyffe, Lorna Tewa'ani, Freda Wickham Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • MB Collection Designer Crowned First Ever Wearable Art Show Winner. Solomon Star. 15 Nov 2022. https://www.solomonstarnews.com/mb-collection-designer-crowned-first-ever-wearable-art-show-winner/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu. 6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events: • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Launch. Pacific Crown Hotel, Honiara, Solomon Islands. 13 November 2022. (126 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist talk - Freda Wickham. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions: • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Deep Fund Project: Through the Ocean's Lens |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in October 2021. The Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion leads Through the Ocean's Lens, bringing together six female designers to create wearable art that embodies time-honoured bonds with the ocean. Solomon Islands comprises more than 900 islands, 347 of which are inhabited by communities with diverse languages and cultures. The ocean is a space that unites the country's varied customs and traditions. Coastal communities inherit ownership of reefs and lagoons. These sacred waters connect ancestors with current and future generations. Marine fauna, such as sharks, are regarded by some as reincarnations of deceased kin. Shells are crafted into strings of money and elaborate body ornaments that denote power, wealth and status. Indigenous knowledge and practices related to the ocean are essential to identity, wellbeing and livelihoods, particularly at a time when communities are vulnerable to the destructive effects of mining on land and at sea, plantation agriculture, logging, commercial overfishing and climate change. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and University of Strathclyde. The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu in July 2023. Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team consisting of two female project managers, six female fashion designers (two of who are youth), one graphic designer and seven youth models (six female and one male). Workshops and training for the six designers in the areas of fashion design, sewing and tailoring, modelling, marketing and advocacy have increased skills, competencies and confidence. The project was the first time that designers and models had explored the domain of wearable art, providing an opportunity for advancement of the local sector. |
| Impact | Artworks: • Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design. Kaftan Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design. Mandarin Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Lorna Tewa'ani. Ghai Tangi. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Elaine Maepio for Vae Tailor. Eh'a. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Elaine Maepio for Vae Tailor. Valusa. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Marylyn Bae for MB Collection. Kwairabu. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Marylyn Bae for MB Collection. Coral Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Evangeline Aravoha'a. Molo. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Hilleina Hilly. Lagoon Affair. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands Project collaborators: Evangeline Aravoha'a, Marylyn Bae, Hilleina Hilly, Charisma Machu, Elaine Maepio, Julie Pelomo, Lanita Walenisia-Spillius, Justina Radclyffe, Lorna Tewa'ani, Freda Wickham Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • MB Collection Designer Crowned First Ever Wearable Art Show Winner. Solomon Star. 15 Nov 2022. https://www.solomonstarnews.com/mb-collection-designer-crowned-first-ever-wearable-art-show-winner/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu. 6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events: • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Launch. Pacific Crown Hotel, Honiara, Solomon Islands. 13 November 2022. (126 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist talk - Freda Wickham. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions: • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Deep Fund Project: Through the Ocean's Lens |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in October 2021. The Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion leads Through the Ocean's Lens, bringing together six female designers to create wearable art that embodies time-honoured bonds with the ocean. Solomon Islands comprises more than 900 islands, 347 of which are inhabited by communities with diverse languages and cultures. The ocean is a space that unites the country's varied customs and traditions. Coastal communities inherit ownership of reefs and lagoons. These sacred waters connect ancestors with current and future generations. Marine fauna, such as sharks, are regarded by some as reincarnations of deceased kin. Shells are crafted into strings of money and elaborate body ornaments that denote power, wealth and status. Indigenous knowledge and practices related to the ocean are essential to identity, wellbeing and livelihoods, particularly at a time when communities are vulnerable to the destructive effects of mining on land and at sea, plantation agriculture, logging, commercial overfishing and climate change. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and University of Strathclyde. The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu in July 2023. Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team consisting of two female project managers, six female fashion designers (two of who are youth), one graphic designer and seven youth models (six female and one male). Workshops and training for the six designers in the areas of fashion design, sewing and tailoring, modelling, marketing and advocacy have increased skills, competencies and confidence. The project was the first time that designers and models had explored the domain of wearable art, providing an opportunity for advancement of the local sector. |
| Impact | Artworks: • Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design. Kaftan Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Julie Pelomo for JP Arty Design. Mandarin Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Lorna Tewa'ani. Ghai Tangi. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Elaine Maepio for Vae Tailor. Eh'a. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Elaine Maepio for Vae Tailor. Valusa. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Marylyn Bae for MB Collection. Kwairabu. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Marylyn Bae for MB Collection. Coral Dress. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Evangeline Aravoha'a. Molo. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands • Hilleina Hilly. Lagoon Affair. 2022. Wearable art. Solomon Islands Project collaborators: Evangeline Aravoha'a, Marylyn Bae, Hilleina Hilly, Charisma Machu, Elaine Maepio, Julie Pelomo, Lanita Walenisia-Spillius, Justina Radclyffe, Lorna Tewa'ani, Freda Wickham Publications: • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • MB Collection Designer Crowned First Ever Wearable Art Show Winner. Solomon Star. 15 Nov 2022. https://www.solomonstarnews.com/mb-collection-designer-crowned-first-ever-wearable-art-show-winner/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu. 6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events: • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Launch. Pacific Crown Hotel, Honiara, Solomon Islands. 13 November 2022. (126 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist talk - Freda Wickham. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions: • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Ocean Literacy Primary Education Programme |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub aims to contribute to the enhancement of ocean literacy in partner countries, through the development of an 'Ocean Explorers' education programme for primary schools. The programme intends to rooted in the context of each partner country, as a unique, immersive, multidisciplinary education for sustainability project for primary schools, with resources developed that complement the curriculum and context of each school. In doing this, the programme seeks not to be a 'one-off' project for schools, but to become an embedded part of the learning programme in each school, beyond the Hub funding cycle. Ocean Explorers builds on the success of 'Island Explorers', a programme designed for primary schools in Scotland to engage in the Sustainable Development Goals, developed by the University of Strathclyde. The University of Strathclyde partnered with the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) association in the Ocean Explorers project for the Solomon Islands, with the Glasgow School of Art providing support. The project developed a suit of ocean education materials specifically for the context of primary schools in the Solomon Islands. It engaged directly with teachers to ensure the suitability of the project and teacher engagement and supported teachers in the implementation of the project. The overall aim of the project was to inspire young leaders in creating their own solutions to sustainability challenges through creative, multidisciplinary, challenge led, learning. Towards this aim, the University of Strathclyde brought learning and example resources from the Island Explorers programme and work in collaboration with PISFCC to redevelop these for the context of the Solomon Islands. Strathclyde and Glasgow School of Art provided project management support for the project. In addition, through the wider One Ocean Hub network, Strathclyde provided networking support to PISFCC, particularly in the establishing necessary connection with relevant ministries. Strathclyde also supported PISFCC in their wider objectives and provided capacity building opportunities for their members. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) is a youth-led organisation, headquartered in the Solomon Islands, whose members are students from the Pacific Island countries. The PISFCC led on the development of the Ocean Explorers programme for the Solomon Islands. Beginning in February 2021, PISFCC undertook reconnaissance visits to 4 remote schools in the Solomon Islands in the Western Province & Central Province (Nagotago Island: Telina Primary School, Patukae Primary School, Titiana Community High School, and Ngela) Community School. This served to learn from teachers about the opportunities, challenges, and constraints facing schools in engaging with new programmes, and work with teachers to understand the learning priorities and curriculum design. During these initial visits, the team gave a presentation in which they shared an overview of the programme and provided the teachers with a copy of a one page programme descriptor. This led to a discussion on the programme feasibility and design, and feedback on the draft resources presented, as well as a discussion on approvals that would need to be acquired at both local (community) and national level. PISFCC used this learning in order to, in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, design a suite of ocean education resources rooted in the context of the schools. PISFCC designs and delivers relevant teacher training in order to support the implementation of the programme in schools. The teacher response to the programme was overwhelmingly positive, with teachers noting that: • Teachers are happy to have something new and creative for students to be engaged with. The Ocean Explorer activities are very practical and it uses the five senses. Therefore, pupils will learn more than just the theory aspect of it. • The content is easy to follow. Teachers are saying it is clear and simple to understand. The teachers are keen to the idea of not having lessons to be confined only within a classroom. • In terms of the topics, teachers described them as a building block in which they start with ocean plastics, climate change then deep seabed mining in later years only after a foundation of ocean literacy was developed. • Solomon island is very rich in terms of traditional knowledge and skills that has been passed down from generation to generation. These traditional knowledge and skills are also relevant to ocean sustainability. It was agreed that traditional knowledge should be included in the final resource packs. • The teachers considered that through the Ocean Explorer program both teachers and pupils will feel accountable and responsible for ocean stewardship building a long-lasting sense of commitment to protect and be responsible for the natural environment. In April 2021, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education approved the programme to run in three identified schools (See: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/1j78k3taloailjgrd7j4dvdc4m). The team then produced a fully developed programme resource pack in the form of a pupil workbook and teachers resource on the topic of ocean plastics, using the geographical context of Barbados. The team returned to the schools in November 2021 to present the developed resources, which were so well received by the teachers that it was requested that the resource packs be expanded so as to cover the entire school semester (increasing from 6 planned lessons to 10 lessons). The expanded resource packs were expected to be delivered to the schools in January 2022, together with an introduction celebration event with the community, as well as a final teacher training, ahead of classes beginning in February 2022. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, these activities were postponed to 2023. The teaching and activities took place in schools in 2023 and the programme wrapped up in 2024 with ceremonies to celebrate. |
| Impact | This project began in February 2021, with an internal field report from the reconnaissance mission. The final output is a package of educational resources for primary schools in the Solomon Islands, including a teachers' resource pack and pupil learning resources. Two schools selected for this pilot project are situated in Marovo Lagoon (known as the world's largest lagoon in the world). Telina Primary School is situated on a small island with a population of around 200 people. Patukae Primary School is located on the mainland known as Vangunu Island which consists of a bigger population due to its surrounding communities. The third school selected for the project is known as Harvest Academy and is situated in the outskirts of Honiara. A Teacher and Student Handbook was created. Teachers have been trained in this new curriculum/project. They have been introduced to different methodological approaches to teaching that move outside the classroom and encourage students to be active problem-solvers. Teachers have been provided with manuals that include lesson plans, teaching aides and learning outcomes. Students also have their own workbook that contains age-appropriate information, activities and games. A The project's primary pedagogical method is student-centred learning. Lesson plans allow for creativity on the part of both the teacher and students. to develop and encourage critical thinking and communication skills. Each lesson is designed to help students think, work in groups and innovatively problem-solve. Approval from the government and relevant authorities was sought. The local governments and church authorities to which the schools belonged were immensely supportive of this project and granted their enthusiastic approval. Training sessions were held at each school to ensure that teachers and leaders were well-prepared to guide their students. After the training was complete, celebratory handover events were held in each school to which the wider community was also invited. Teaching of the programme to students began in early September 2023 and is due for completion by the end of October 2024. A key characteristic of this programme is that teachers guide self-learning and research undertaken by students. Through the collection and analysis of data on plastic pollution, students create real-world solutions to problems endangering the ocean and its resources. At the end of the module, students present their solutions to their local communities, thus encouraging collective responsibility for the protection of island environments. The Ocean Explorer gave a new platform for both learners and teachers to connect more with the environment and to creatively deal with the negative impacts of climate change. Though the program faced challenges like COVID-19 and the limited timeframe, the Ocean Explorer program is set to create a ripple effect amongst the pilot schools and the surrounding communities. Eventually, we believe the positive impact that the Ocean Explorer brings will be an opportunity to get the program to reach the national curriculum of Solomon Islands. Lastly, Ocean Explorer is making progress in connecting and building a new pool of learners who will be well equip and full of knowledge about the importance of the ocean. Insights from Ocean Explorer was shared by our partner organisation Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change at the One Ocean Hub-led UN Climate COP28 side-event "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," on 9 December 2023, at the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Dubai (attended by five persons). The event brough together the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Dr David Boyd (video message); the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, Dr Ian Fry (video message); child speakers, including Camila Awo Dzidzor, from a coastal fishing community in Volta Region of Ghana (video message); Benjamin Van Bunderen Robberechts, climate advisor of Child Rights International Network; George, Child advisor of Terre des Hommes and child advisor for the development of the 2023 UN General Comment No.26 on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change (video); Nico Roman, Child Ambassador of the UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (video message); Letícia Carvalho Silva, ALANA (a Brazilian NGO focused on children's human rights); Caleb Maehanua Pollard, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change; and COP28 negotiators. Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. "Ocean explorers brief report" by Caleb Pollard and Pama Beth Siale. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/toidi8egrbcgrq9s2qg3goa7ml |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Ocean Literacy Primary Education Programme |
| Organisation | Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change |
| Country | Solomon Islands |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub aims to contribute to the enhancement of ocean literacy in partner countries, through the development of an 'Ocean Explorers' education programme for primary schools. The programme intends to rooted in the context of each partner country, as a unique, immersive, multidisciplinary education for sustainability project for primary schools, with resources developed that complement the curriculum and context of each school. In doing this, the programme seeks not to be a 'one-off' project for schools, but to become an embedded part of the learning programme in each school, beyond the Hub funding cycle. Ocean Explorers builds on the success of 'Island Explorers', a programme designed for primary schools in Scotland to engage in the Sustainable Development Goals, developed by the University of Strathclyde. The University of Strathclyde partnered with the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) association in the Ocean Explorers project for the Solomon Islands, with the Glasgow School of Art providing support. The project developed a suit of ocean education materials specifically for the context of primary schools in the Solomon Islands. It engaged directly with teachers to ensure the suitability of the project and teacher engagement and supported teachers in the implementation of the project. The overall aim of the project was to inspire young leaders in creating their own solutions to sustainability challenges through creative, multidisciplinary, challenge led, learning. Towards this aim, the University of Strathclyde brought learning and example resources from the Island Explorers programme and work in collaboration with PISFCC to redevelop these for the context of the Solomon Islands. Strathclyde and Glasgow School of Art provided project management support for the project. In addition, through the wider One Ocean Hub network, Strathclyde provided networking support to PISFCC, particularly in the establishing necessary connection with relevant ministries. Strathclyde also supported PISFCC in their wider objectives and provided capacity building opportunities for their members. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) is a youth-led organisation, headquartered in the Solomon Islands, whose members are students from the Pacific Island countries. The PISFCC led on the development of the Ocean Explorers programme for the Solomon Islands. Beginning in February 2021, PISFCC undertook reconnaissance visits to 4 remote schools in the Solomon Islands in the Western Province & Central Province (Nagotago Island: Telina Primary School, Patukae Primary School, Titiana Community High School, and Ngela) Community School. This served to learn from teachers about the opportunities, challenges, and constraints facing schools in engaging with new programmes, and work with teachers to understand the learning priorities and curriculum design. During these initial visits, the team gave a presentation in which they shared an overview of the programme and provided the teachers with a copy of a one page programme descriptor. This led to a discussion on the programme feasibility and design, and feedback on the draft resources presented, as well as a discussion on approvals that would need to be acquired at both local (community) and national level. PISFCC used this learning in order to, in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, design a suite of ocean education resources rooted in the context of the schools. PISFCC designs and delivers relevant teacher training in order to support the implementation of the programme in schools. The teacher response to the programme was overwhelmingly positive, with teachers noting that: • Teachers are happy to have something new and creative for students to be engaged with. The Ocean Explorer activities are very practical and it uses the five senses. Therefore, pupils will learn more than just the theory aspect of it. • The content is easy to follow. Teachers are saying it is clear and simple to understand. The teachers are keen to the idea of not having lessons to be confined only within a classroom. • In terms of the topics, teachers described them as a building block in which they start with ocean plastics, climate change then deep seabed mining in later years only after a foundation of ocean literacy was developed. • Solomon island is very rich in terms of traditional knowledge and skills that has been passed down from generation to generation. These traditional knowledge and skills are also relevant to ocean sustainability. It was agreed that traditional knowledge should be included in the final resource packs. • The teachers considered that through the Ocean Explorer program both teachers and pupils will feel accountable and responsible for ocean stewardship building a long-lasting sense of commitment to protect and be responsible for the natural environment. In April 2021, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education approved the programme to run in three identified schools (See: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/1j78k3taloailjgrd7j4dvdc4m). The team then produced a fully developed programme resource pack in the form of a pupil workbook and teachers resource on the topic of ocean plastics, using the geographical context of Barbados. The team returned to the schools in November 2021 to present the developed resources, which were so well received by the teachers that it was requested that the resource packs be expanded so as to cover the entire school semester (increasing from 6 planned lessons to 10 lessons). The expanded resource packs were expected to be delivered to the schools in January 2022, together with an introduction celebration event with the community, as well as a final teacher training, ahead of classes beginning in February 2022. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, these activities were postponed to 2023. The teaching and activities took place in schools in 2023 and the programme wrapped up in 2024 with ceremonies to celebrate. |
| Impact | This project began in February 2021, with an internal field report from the reconnaissance mission. The final output is a package of educational resources for primary schools in the Solomon Islands, including a teachers' resource pack and pupil learning resources. Two schools selected for this pilot project are situated in Marovo Lagoon (known as the world's largest lagoon in the world). Telina Primary School is situated on a small island with a population of around 200 people. Patukae Primary School is located on the mainland known as Vangunu Island which consists of a bigger population due to its surrounding communities. The third school selected for the project is known as Harvest Academy and is situated in the outskirts of Honiara. A Teacher and Student Handbook was created. Teachers have been trained in this new curriculum/project. They have been introduced to different methodological approaches to teaching that move outside the classroom and encourage students to be active problem-solvers. Teachers have been provided with manuals that include lesson plans, teaching aides and learning outcomes. Students also have their own workbook that contains age-appropriate information, activities and games. A The project's primary pedagogical method is student-centred learning. Lesson plans allow for creativity on the part of both the teacher and students. to develop and encourage critical thinking and communication skills. Each lesson is designed to help students think, work in groups and innovatively problem-solve. Approval from the government and relevant authorities was sought. The local governments and church authorities to which the schools belonged were immensely supportive of this project and granted their enthusiastic approval. Training sessions were held at each school to ensure that teachers and leaders were well-prepared to guide their students. After the training was complete, celebratory handover events were held in each school to which the wider community was also invited. Teaching of the programme to students began in early September 2023 and is due for completion by the end of October 2024. A key characteristic of this programme is that teachers guide self-learning and research undertaken by students. Through the collection and analysis of data on plastic pollution, students create real-world solutions to problems endangering the ocean and its resources. At the end of the module, students present their solutions to their local communities, thus encouraging collective responsibility for the protection of island environments. The Ocean Explorer gave a new platform for both learners and teachers to connect more with the environment and to creatively deal with the negative impacts of climate change. Though the program faced challenges like COVID-19 and the limited timeframe, the Ocean Explorer program is set to create a ripple effect amongst the pilot schools and the surrounding communities. Eventually, we believe the positive impact that the Ocean Explorer brings will be an opportunity to get the program to reach the national curriculum of Solomon Islands. Lastly, Ocean Explorer is making progress in connecting and building a new pool of learners who will be well equip and full of knowledge about the importance of the ocean. Insights from Ocean Explorer was shared by our partner organisation Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change at the One Ocean Hub-led UN Climate COP28 side-event "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," on 9 December 2023, at the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Dubai (attended by five persons). The event brough together the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Dr David Boyd (video message); the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, Dr Ian Fry (video message); child speakers, including Camila Awo Dzidzor, from a coastal fishing community in Volta Region of Ghana (video message); Benjamin Van Bunderen Robberechts, climate advisor of Child Rights International Network; George, Child advisor of Terre des Hommes and child advisor for the development of the 2023 UN General Comment No.26 on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change (video); Nico Roman, Child Ambassador of the UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (video message); Letícia Carvalho Silva, ALANA (a Brazilian NGO focused on children's human rights); Caleb Maehanua Pollard, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change; and COP28 negotiators. Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. "Ocean explorers brief report" by Caleb Pollard and Pama Beth Siale. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/toidi8egrbcgrq9s2qg3goa7ml |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Ocean Literacy Primary Education Programme |
| Organisation | Terre des Hommes |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub aims to contribute to the enhancement of ocean literacy in partner countries, through the development of an 'Ocean Explorers' education programme for primary schools. The programme intends to rooted in the context of each partner country, as a unique, immersive, multidisciplinary education for sustainability project for primary schools, with resources developed that complement the curriculum and context of each school. In doing this, the programme seeks not to be a 'one-off' project for schools, but to become an embedded part of the learning programme in each school, beyond the Hub funding cycle. Ocean Explorers builds on the success of 'Island Explorers', a programme designed for primary schools in Scotland to engage in the Sustainable Development Goals, developed by the University of Strathclyde. The University of Strathclyde partnered with the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) association in the Ocean Explorers project for the Solomon Islands, with the Glasgow School of Art providing support. The project developed a suit of ocean education materials specifically for the context of primary schools in the Solomon Islands. It engaged directly with teachers to ensure the suitability of the project and teacher engagement and supported teachers in the implementation of the project. The overall aim of the project was to inspire young leaders in creating their own solutions to sustainability challenges through creative, multidisciplinary, challenge led, learning. Towards this aim, the University of Strathclyde brought learning and example resources from the Island Explorers programme and work in collaboration with PISFCC to redevelop these for the context of the Solomon Islands. Strathclyde and Glasgow School of Art provided project management support for the project. In addition, through the wider One Ocean Hub network, Strathclyde provided networking support to PISFCC, particularly in the establishing necessary connection with relevant ministries. Strathclyde also supported PISFCC in their wider objectives and provided capacity building opportunities for their members. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) is a youth-led organisation, headquartered in the Solomon Islands, whose members are students from the Pacific Island countries. The PISFCC led on the development of the Ocean Explorers programme for the Solomon Islands. Beginning in February 2021, PISFCC undertook reconnaissance visits to 4 remote schools in the Solomon Islands in the Western Province & Central Province (Nagotago Island: Telina Primary School, Patukae Primary School, Titiana Community High School, and Ngela) Community School. This served to learn from teachers about the opportunities, challenges, and constraints facing schools in engaging with new programmes, and work with teachers to understand the learning priorities and curriculum design. During these initial visits, the team gave a presentation in which they shared an overview of the programme and provided the teachers with a copy of a one page programme descriptor. This led to a discussion on the programme feasibility and design, and feedback on the draft resources presented, as well as a discussion on approvals that would need to be acquired at both local (community) and national level. PISFCC used this learning in order to, in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, design a suite of ocean education resources rooted in the context of the schools. PISFCC designs and delivers relevant teacher training in order to support the implementation of the programme in schools. The teacher response to the programme was overwhelmingly positive, with teachers noting that: • Teachers are happy to have something new and creative for students to be engaged with. The Ocean Explorer activities are very practical and it uses the five senses. Therefore, pupils will learn more than just the theory aspect of it. • The content is easy to follow. Teachers are saying it is clear and simple to understand. The teachers are keen to the idea of not having lessons to be confined only within a classroom. • In terms of the topics, teachers described them as a building block in which they start with ocean plastics, climate change then deep seabed mining in later years only after a foundation of ocean literacy was developed. • Solomon island is very rich in terms of traditional knowledge and skills that has been passed down from generation to generation. These traditional knowledge and skills are also relevant to ocean sustainability. It was agreed that traditional knowledge should be included in the final resource packs. • The teachers considered that through the Ocean Explorer program both teachers and pupils will feel accountable and responsible for ocean stewardship building a long-lasting sense of commitment to protect and be responsible for the natural environment. In April 2021, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education approved the programme to run in three identified schools (See: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/1j78k3taloailjgrd7j4dvdc4m). The team then produced a fully developed programme resource pack in the form of a pupil workbook and teachers resource on the topic of ocean plastics, using the geographical context of Barbados. The team returned to the schools in November 2021 to present the developed resources, which were so well received by the teachers that it was requested that the resource packs be expanded so as to cover the entire school semester (increasing from 6 planned lessons to 10 lessons). The expanded resource packs were expected to be delivered to the schools in January 2022, together with an introduction celebration event with the community, as well as a final teacher training, ahead of classes beginning in February 2022. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, these activities were postponed to 2023. The teaching and activities took place in schools in 2023 and the programme wrapped up in 2024 with ceremonies to celebrate. |
| Impact | This project began in February 2021, with an internal field report from the reconnaissance mission. The final output is a package of educational resources for primary schools in the Solomon Islands, including a teachers' resource pack and pupil learning resources. Two schools selected for this pilot project are situated in Marovo Lagoon (known as the world's largest lagoon in the world). Telina Primary School is situated on a small island with a population of around 200 people. Patukae Primary School is located on the mainland known as Vangunu Island which consists of a bigger population due to its surrounding communities. The third school selected for the project is known as Harvest Academy and is situated in the outskirts of Honiara. A Teacher and Student Handbook was created. Teachers have been trained in this new curriculum/project. They have been introduced to different methodological approaches to teaching that move outside the classroom and encourage students to be active problem-solvers. Teachers have been provided with manuals that include lesson plans, teaching aides and learning outcomes. Students also have their own workbook that contains age-appropriate information, activities and games. A The project's primary pedagogical method is student-centred learning. Lesson plans allow for creativity on the part of both the teacher and students. to develop and encourage critical thinking and communication skills. Each lesson is designed to help students think, work in groups and innovatively problem-solve. Approval from the government and relevant authorities was sought. The local governments and church authorities to which the schools belonged were immensely supportive of this project and granted their enthusiastic approval. Training sessions were held at each school to ensure that teachers and leaders were well-prepared to guide their students. After the training was complete, celebratory handover events were held in each school to which the wider community was also invited. Teaching of the programme to students began in early September 2023 and is due for completion by the end of October 2024. A key characteristic of this programme is that teachers guide self-learning and research undertaken by students. Through the collection and analysis of data on plastic pollution, students create real-world solutions to problems endangering the ocean and its resources. At the end of the module, students present their solutions to their local communities, thus encouraging collective responsibility for the protection of island environments. The Ocean Explorer gave a new platform for both learners and teachers to connect more with the environment and to creatively deal with the negative impacts of climate change. Though the program faced challenges like COVID-19 and the limited timeframe, the Ocean Explorer program is set to create a ripple effect amongst the pilot schools and the surrounding communities. Eventually, we believe the positive impact that the Ocean Explorer brings will be an opportunity to get the program to reach the national curriculum of Solomon Islands. Lastly, Ocean Explorer is making progress in connecting and building a new pool of learners who will be well equip and full of knowledge about the importance of the ocean. Insights from Ocean Explorer was shared by our partner organisation Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change at the One Ocean Hub-led UN Climate COP28 side-event "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," on 9 December 2023, at the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Dubai (attended by five persons). The event brough together the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Dr David Boyd (video message); the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, Dr Ian Fry (video message); child speakers, including Camila Awo Dzidzor, from a coastal fishing community in Volta Region of Ghana (video message); Benjamin Van Bunderen Robberechts, climate advisor of Child Rights International Network; George, Child advisor of Terre des Hommes and child advisor for the development of the 2023 UN General Comment No.26 on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change (video); Nico Roman, Child Ambassador of the UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (video message); Letícia Carvalho Silva, ALANA (a Brazilian NGO focused on children's human rights); Caleb Maehanua Pollard, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change; and COP28 negotiators. Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. "Ocean explorers brief report" by Caleb Pollard and Pama Beth Siale. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/toidi8egrbcgrq9s2qg3goa7ml |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Solomon Islands Ocean Literacy Primary Education Programme |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub aims to contribute to the enhancement of ocean literacy in partner countries, through the development of an 'Ocean Explorers' education programme for primary schools. The programme intends to rooted in the context of each partner country, as a unique, immersive, multidisciplinary education for sustainability project for primary schools, with resources developed that complement the curriculum and context of each school. In doing this, the programme seeks not to be a 'one-off' project for schools, but to become an embedded part of the learning programme in each school, beyond the Hub funding cycle. Ocean Explorers builds on the success of 'Island Explorers', a programme designed for primary schools in Scotland to engage in the Sustainable Development Goals, developed by the University of Strathclyde. The University of Strathclyde partnered with the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) association in the Ocean Explorers project for the Solomon Islands, with the Glasgow School of Art providing support. The project developed a suit of ocean education materials specifically for the context of primary schools in the Solomon Islands. It engaged directly with teachers to ensure the suitability of the project and teacher engagement and supported teachers in the implementation of the project. The overall aim of the project was to inspire young leaders in creating their own solutions to sustainability challenges through creative, multidisciplinary, challenge led, learning. Towards this aim, the University of Strathclyde brought learning and example resources from the Island Explorers programme and work in collaboration with PISFCC to redevelop these for the context of the Solomon Islands. Strathclyde and Glasgow School of Art provided project management support for the project. In addition, through the wider One Ocean Hub network, Strathclyde provided networking support to PISFCC, particularly in the establishing necessary connection with relevant ministries. Strathclyde also supported PISFCC in their wider objectives and provided capacity building opportunities for their members. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) is a youth-led organisation, headquartered in the Solomon Islands, whose members are students from the Pacific Island countries. The PISFCC led on the development of the Ocean Explorers programme for the Solomon Islands. Beginning in February 2021, PISFCC undertook reconnaissance visits to 4 remote schools in the Solomon Islands in the Western Province & Central Province (Nagotago Island: Telina Primary School, Patukae Primary School, Titiana Community High School, and Ngela) Community School. This served to learn from teachers about the opportunities, challenges, and constraints facing schools in engaging with new programmes, and work with teachers to understand the learning priorities and curriculum design. During these initial visits, the team gave a presentation in which they shared an overview of the programme and provided the teachers with a copy of a one page programme descriptor. This led to a discussion on the programme feasibility and design, and feedback on the draft resources presented, as well as a discussion on approvals that would need to be acquired at both local (community) and national level. PISFCC used this learning in order to, in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, design a suite of ocean education resources rooted in the context of the schools. PISFCC designs and delivers relevant teacher training in order to support the implementation of the programme in schools. The teacher response to the programme was overwhelmingly positive, with teachers noting that: • Teachers are happy to have something new and creative for students to be engaged with. The Ocean Explorer activities are very practical and it uses the five senses. Therefore, pupils will learn more than just the theory aspect of it. • The content is easy to follow. Teachers are saying it is clear and simple to understand. The teachers are keen to the idea of not having lessons to be confined only within a classroom. • In terms of the topics, teachers described them as a building block in which they start with ocean plastics, climate change then deep seabed mining in later years only after a foundation of ocean literacy was developed. • Solomon island is very rich in terms of traditional knowledge and skills that has been passed down from generation to generation. These traditional knowledge and skills are also relevant to ocean sustainability. It was agreed that traditional knowledge should be included in the final resource packs. • The teachers considered that through the Ocean Explorer program both teachers and pupils will feel accountable and responsible for ocean stewardship building a long-lasting sense of commitment to protect and be responsible for the natural environment. In April 2021, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education approved the programme to run in three identified schools (See: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/1j78k3taloailjgrd7j4dvdc4m). The team then produced a fully developed programme resource pack in the form of a pupil workbook and teachers resource on the topic of ocean plastics, using the geographical context of Barbados. The team returned to the schools in November 2021 to present the developed resources, which were so well received by the teachers that it was requested that the resource packs be expanded so as to cover the entire school semester (increasing from 6 planned lessons to 10 lessons). The expanded resource packs were expected to be delivered to the schools in January 2022, together with an introduction celebration event with the community, as well as a final teacher training, ahead of classes beginning in February 2022. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, these activities were postponed to 2023. The teaching and activities took place in schools in 2023 and the programme wrapped up in 2024 with ceremonies to celebrate. |
| Impact | This project began in February 2021, with an internal field report from the reconnaissance mission. The final output is a package of educational resources for primary schools in the Solomon Islands, including a teachers' resource pack and pupil learning resources. Two schools selected for this pilot project are situated in Marovo Lagoon (known as the world's largest lagoon in the world). Telina Primary School is situated on a small island with a population of around 200 people. Patukae Primary School is located on the mainland known as Vangunu Island which consists of a bigger population due to its surrounding communities. The third school selected for the project is known as Harvest Academy and is situated in the outskirts of Honiara. A Teacher and Student Handbook was created. Teachers have been trained in this new curriculum/project. They have been introduced to different methodological approaches to teaching that move outside the classroom and encourage students to be active problem-solvers. Teachers have been provided with manuals that include lesson plans, teaching aides and learning outcomes. Students also have their own workbook that contains age-appropriate information, activities and games. A The project's primary pedagogical method is student-centred learning. Lesson plans allow for creativity on the part of both the teacher and students. to develop and encourage critical thinking and communication skills. Each lesson is designed to help students think, work in groups and innovatively problem-solve. Approval from the government and relevant authorities was sought. The local governments and church authorities to which the schools belonged were immensely supportive of this project and granted their enthusiastic approval. Training sessions were held at each school to ensure that teachers and leaders were well-prepared to guide their students. After the training was complete, celebratory handover events were held in each school to which the wider community was also invited. Teaching of the programme to students began in early September 2023 and is due for completion by the end of October 2024. A key characteristic of this programme is that teachers guide self-learning and research undertaken by students. Through the collection and analysis of data on plastic pollution, students create real-world solutions to problems endangering the ocean and its resources. At the end of the module, students present their solutions to their local communities, thus encouraging collective responsibility for the protection of island environments. The Ocean Explorer gave a new platform for both learners and teachers to connect more with the environment and to creatively deal with the negative impacts of climate change. Though the program faced challenges like COVID-19 and the limited timeframe, the Ocean Explorer program is set to create a ripple effect amongst the pilot schools and the surrounding communities. Eventually, we believe the positive impact that the Ocean Explorer brings will be an opportunity to get the program to reach the national curriculum of Solomon Islands. Lastly, Ocean Explorer is making progress in connecting and building a new pool of learners who will be well equip and full of knowledge about the importance of the ocean. Insights from Ocean Explorer was shared by our partner organisation Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change at the One Ocean Hub-led UN Climate COP28 side-event "Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus," on 9 December 2023, at the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet Pavilion, Dubai (attended by five persons). The event brough together the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Dr David Boyd (video message); the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, Dr Ian Fry (video message); child speakers, including Camila Awo Dzidzor, from a coastal fishing community in Volta Region of Ghana (video message); Benjamin Van Bunderen Robberechts, climate advisor of Child Rights International Network; George, Child advisor of Terre des Hommes and child advisor for the development of the 2023 UN General Comment No.26 on children's rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change (video); Nico Roman, Child Ambassador of the UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative (video message); Letícia Carvalho Silva, ALANA (a Brazilian NGO focused on children's human rights); Caleb Maehanua Pollard, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change; and COP28 negotiators. Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. "Ocean explorers brief report" by Caleb Pollard and Pama Beth Siale. Available from https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/toidi8egrbcgrq9s2qg3goa7ml |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Fishers' Tales |
| Organisation | Durban University of Technology |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Urban Futures Centre, in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, collected 15 oral histories and edited stories under the auspice of Fishers Tales. Each narrative, recorded and transcribed in English and isiZulu, is accompanied by a work of art produced by students from the Durban University of Technology. The piers of south Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, attract an eclectic mix of subsistence and recreational fishermen and women. For many, the piers are a home away from home. Kin fish alongside one another, with older generations sharing knowledge of fishing techniques, net construction and lure craftsmanship. During apartheid (1948-1994), access to the sea was severely restricted, and in some cases prohibited, for non-white South Africans. Racial segregation banished many communities from their ancestral homelands and waters. Today, government policies continue to be a source of tension among fisherfolk. Costly permits are a financial burden, while regulations that limit catch and harvest quotas are inadequate for personal and family consumption. Legislation makes it illegal for catches to be sold, meaning that income for basic needs is lacking. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the Hub-led online UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0) and an in-person workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Events at the UN Food and Agricultural Organization headquarters on 29 March 2023, Rome, Italy. A selection of art work from the collection was also included as an art exhibition in the Hub's One Ocean Learn knowledge-translation platform co-developed with UNITAR (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising two female project managers and one emerging writer and curator (who is female). The project also engaged 10 fishers (two of whom are female) and nine art students from the Durban University of Technology (six of whom are female). The project has bolstered partnerships between the Durban University of Technology, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the local fisher community. The exhibition and associated programmes at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts enabled discussions between different stakeholders including researchers, activists, policy-makers and fishers. Dr Kira Erwin has used some of the images from this project in the broader human rights advocacy work that she is doing with fishers in South Africa and in the report titled "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" published in March 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ih6iqg7dqb2dag0ber8v3pekfp; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/d3jvcnngbo4lob049jktaaeu2q). This research was conducted as part of the South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Task Team set up by Minister Barbara Creecy to address the exclusions raised by the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, the Urban Future Centre at the Durban University of Technology, the Legal Resource Centre, and the Directorate of Small-Scale Fishers at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. The alternative dispute process that lasted more than two years and the survey research with fishers that the One Ocean Hub supported and funded have led to the Directorate of Small-Scale Fisheries in the Department of Environmental, Forestry and Fishers agreeing to submit a proposal to the National Minister for interim measures (exemption permits) and to undertake a dedicated process to ensure that fishers in this large Metropole are included under the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy so that they get recognised and allocated rights as small-scale fishers. This process has been a successful alternative dispute process that brought together in a Task Team set up by the Minister, the Urban Futures Centre, the Hub researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network, the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisher Folks, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the Legal Resource Centre to address the exclusion of subsistence fishers in the city of Durban. The images from the "Fishers' Tales project" that are used in the "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" (March 2024) are listed below: • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa |
| Impact | Artworks: • Snowy. Hook. Line and Sinker. Oral history. 2021. South Africa • Snowy. The Human Chain. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Snowy. The Treacherous South Pier. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. I Got Hooked. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. Segregated. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tozi Mthiyane. Fishers Unite. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Oppressed Fishermen. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Fishing Heritage in Peril. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. In a Perfect World, Fishing Has No Gender. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Family that Fishes Together Stays Together. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Battle for the Piers. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Monty. Being Outdoors. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Brother's Bond. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Violation of the Sea. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. Close Encounter. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. The Art of Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. An Unusual Catch. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. A Dwindling Species. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Erhardt. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Andre and William. You Live by the Sea; You Die by the Sea. 2021. Oral history, South Africa • Thomas. Indigenous Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa. • Grant. Where Have All the Bait Fish Gone? 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. The Sea is My Farm: Roy's Story. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Net Fishers. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Durban Harbour. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Brotherhood. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Nibela River. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kevin Ngweny. A Fishers Tale. 2021. Digital illustration. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Stained Memories. 2021. Watercolour and found object. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Risks. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Privilege in the Distance. 2021. Watercolour. South Africa • Zimvo Nonjola. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. View from the South Pier. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Pele Moonsamy: A Fisher to Remember. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Ink on paper. South Africa • Elisa Morgera. Fishing Dreams. 2021. Watercolour and ink. Scotland • Bandile Gumede. Pele and Bina. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa Project collaborators: Cassandra Abboy, Rohini Amratlal, Andrea, Kira Erwin, Grant, Bandile Gumede, Thabisile Gumede, Doung Jahangeer, JP, Lina Macanhe, Mr Mbhele, Ezami Molefe, Monty, Nompilo Mthethwa, Tozi Mthiyane, Elisa Morgera, Kevin Ngwenya, Zimvo Nonjola, Sherelee Odayar, Casey Pratt, Riaz, Kenneth Shandu, Snowy, Tamlynn, Thomas, William, Nozipho Xaba Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • Erwin, K. Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea. 31 January 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea • Real Life on the 'dolosse'. Independent Online. 12 March 2022. https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/real-life-on-the-dolosse-ab2b9754-48c3-47ca-84c6-a78e65e6107b • Art Exhibition Centres Around Durban's Fishermen. The Berea Mail. 13 March 2022. https://bereamail.co.za/282549/art-exhibition-centers-around-durbans-fishermen/ • Fisherfolk Take Central Stage. The Post. 23 March 2022. • Erwin, K. The Art of Engagement: The Fishers Tales Exhibition. 29 March 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-art-of-engagement-the-fishers-tales-exhibition/ • Activism Meets Art at Fisher's Tales Exhibition. Rising Sun Overport. 21 April 2022. https://risingsunoverport.co.za/116531/video-activism-meets-art-at-fishers-tale-exhibition/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Website launch. 2022. https://fisherstales.org/ • Schools tour of Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 18 March 2022. • Fishers presentations and workshop. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 19 March 2022. • Ocean education workshop with Wild Oceans. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 April 2022. • Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop. 4 June 2022. (37 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 March - 3 April 2022. • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Fishers Tales. UNITAR One Ocean Learn. https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/ (1614 views) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Fishers' Tales |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Urban Futures Centre, in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, collected 15 oral histories and edited stories under the auspice of Fishers Tales. Each narrative, recorded and transcribed in English and isiZulu, is accompanied by a work of art produced by students from the Durban University of Technology. The piers of south Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, attract an eclectic mix of subsistence and recreational fishermen and women. For many, the piers are a home away from home. Kin fish alongside one another, with older generations sharing knowledge of fishing techniques, net construction and lure craftsmanship. During apartheid (1948-1994), access to the sea was severely restricted, and in some cases prohibited, for non-white South Africans. Racial segregation banished many communities from their ancestral homelands and waters. Today, government policies continue to be a source of tension among fisherfolk. Costly permits are a financial burden, while regulations that limit catch and harvest quotas are inadequate for personal and family consumption. Legislation makes it illegal for catches to be sold, meaning that income for basic needs is lacking. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the Hub-led online UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0) and an in-person workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Events at the UN Food and Agricultural Organization headquarters on 29 March 2023, Rome, Italy. A selection of art work from the collection was also included as an art exhibition in the Hub's One Ocean Learn knowledge-translation platform co-developed with UNITAR (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising two female project managers and one emerging writer and curator (who is female). The project also engaged 10 fishers (two of whom are female) and nine art students from the Durban University of Technology (six of whom are female). The project has bolstered partnerships between the Durban University of Technology, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the local fisher community. The exhibition and associated programmes at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts enabled discussions between different stakeholders including researchers, activists, policy-makers and fishers. Dr Kira Erwin has used some of the images from this project in the broader human rights advocacy work that she is doing with fishers in South Africa and in the report titled "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" published in March 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ih6iqg7dqb2dag0ber8v3pekfp; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/d3jvcnngbo4lob049jktaaeu2q). This research was conducted as part of the South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Task Team set up by Minister Barbara Creecy to address the exclusions raised by the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, the Urban Future Centre at the Durban University of Technology, the Legal Resource Centre, and the Directorate of Small-Scale Fishers at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. The alternative dispute process that lasted more than two years and the survey research with fishers that the One Ocean Hub supported and funded have led to the Directorate of Small-Scale Fisheries in the Department of Environmental, Forestry and Fishers agreeing to submit a proposal to the National Minister for interim measures (exemption permits) and to undertake a dedicated process to ensure that fishers in this large Metropole are included under the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy so that they get recognised and allocated rights as small-scale fishers. This process has been a successful alternative dispute process that brought together in a Task Team set up by the Minister, the Urban Futures Centre, the Hub researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network, the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisher Folks, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the Legal Resource Centre to address the exclusion of subsistence fishers in the city of Durban. The images from the "Fishers' Tales project" that are used in the "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" (March 2024) are listed below: • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa |
| Impact | Artworks: • Snowy. Hook. Line and Sinker. Oral history. 2021. South Africa • Snowy. The Human Chain. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Snowy. The Treacherous South Pier. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. I Got Hooked. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. Segregated. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tozi Mthiyane. Fishers Unite. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Oppressed Fishermen. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Fishing Heritage in Peril. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. In a Perfect World, Fishing Has No Gender. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Family that Fishes Together Stays Together. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Battle for the Piers. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Monty. Being Outdoors. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Brother's Bond. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Violation of the Sea. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. Close Encounter. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. The Art of Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. An Unusual Catch. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. A Dwindling Species. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Erhardt. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Andre and William. You Live by the Sea; You Die by the Sea. 2021. Oral history, South Africa • Thomas. Indigenous Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa. • Grant. Where Have All the Bait Fish Gone? 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. The Sea is My Farm: Roy's Story. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Net Fishers. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Durban Harbour. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Brotherhood. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Nibela River. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kevin Ngweny. A Fishers Tale. 2021. Digital illustration. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Stained Memories. 2021. Watercolour and found object. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Risks. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Privilege in the Distance. 2021. Watercolour. South Africa • Zimvo Nonjola. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. View from the South Pier. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Pele Moonsamy: A Fisher to Remember. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Ink on paper. South Africa • Elisa Morgera. Fishing Dreams. 2021. Watercolour and ink. Scotland • Bandile Gumede. Pele and Bina. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa Project collaborators: Cassandra Abboy, Rohini Amratlal, Andrea, Kira Erwin, Grant, Bandile Gumede, Thabisile Gumede, Doung Jahangeer, JP, Lina Macanhe, Mr Mbhele, Ezami Molefe, Monty, Nompilo Mthethwa, Tozi Mthiyane, Elisa Morgera, Kevin Ngwenya, Zimvo Nonjola, Sherelee Odayar, Casey Pratt, Riaz, Kenneth Shandu, Snowy, Tamlynn, Thomas, William, Nozipho Xaba Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • Erwin, K. Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea. 31 January 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea • Real Life on the 'dolosse'. Independent Online. 12 March 2022. https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/real-life-on-the-dolosse-ab2b9754-48c3-47ca-84c6-a78e65e6107b • Art Exhibition Centres Around Durban's Fishermen. The Berea Mail. 13 March 2022. https://bereamail.co.za/282549/art-exhibition-centers-around-durbans-fishermen/ • Fisherfolk Take Central Stage. The Post. 23 March 2022. • Erwin, K. The Art of Engagement: The Fishers Tales Exhibition. 29 March 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-art-of-engagement-the-fishers-tales-exhibition/ • Activism Meets Art at Fisher's Tales Exhibition. Rising Sun Overport. 21 April 2022. https://risingsunoverport.co.za/116531/video-activism-meets-art-at-fishers-tale-exhibition/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Website launch. 2022. https://fisherstales.org/ • Schools tour of Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 18 March 2022. • Fishers presentations and workshop. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 19 March 2022. • Ocean education workshop with Wild Oceans. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 April 2022. • Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop. 4 June 2022. (37 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 March - 3 April 2022. • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Fishers Tales. UNITAR One Ocean Learn. https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/ (1614 views) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Fishers' Tales |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Urban Futures Centre, in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, collected 15 oral histories and edited stories under the auspice of Fishers Tales. Each narrative, recorded and transcribed in English and isiZulu, is accompanied by a work of art produced by students from the Durban University of Technology. The piers of south Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, attract an eclectic mix of subsistence and recreational fishermen and women. For many, the piers are a home away from home. Kin fish alongside one another, with older generations sharing knowledge of fishing techniques, net construction and lure craftsmanship. During apartheid (1948-1994), access to the sea was severely restricted, and in some cases prohibited, for non-white South Africans. Racial segregation banished many communities from their ancestral homelands and waters. Today, government policies continue to be a source of tension among fisherfolk. Costly permits are a financial burden, while regulations that limit catch and harvest quotas are inadequate for personal and family consumption. Legislation makes it illegal for catches to be sold, meaning that income for basic needs is lacking. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the Hub-led online UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0) and an in-person workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Events at the UN Food and Agricultural Organization headquarters on 29 March 2023, Rome, Italy. A selection of art work from the collection was also included as an art exhibition in the Hub's One Ocean Learn knowledge-translation platform co-developed with UNITAR (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising two female project managers and one emerging writer and curator (who is female). The project also engaged 10 fishers (two of whom are female) and nine art students from the Durban University of Technology (six of whom are female). The project has bolstered partnerships between the Durban University of Technology, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the local fisher community. The exhibition and associated programmes at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts enabled discussions between different stakeholders including researchers, activists, policy-makers and fishers. Dr Kira Erwin has used some of the images from this project in the broader human rights advocacy work that she is doing with fishers in South Africa and in the report titled "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" published in March 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ih6iqg7dqb2dag0ber8v3pekfp; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/d3jvcnngbo4lob049jktaaeu2q). This research was conducted as part of the South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Task Team set up by Minister Barbara Creecy to address the exclusions raised by the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, the Urban Future Centre at the Durban University of Technology, the Legal Resource Centre, and the Directorate of Small-Scale Fishers at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. The alternative dispute process that lasted more than two years and the survey research with fishers that the One Ocean Hub supported and funded have led to the Directorate of Small-Scale Fisheries in the Department of Environmental, Forestry and Fishers agreeing to submit a proposal to the National Minister for interim measures (exemption permits) and to undertake a dedicated process to ensure that fishers in this large Metropole are included under the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy so that they get recognised and allocated rights as small-scale fishers. This process has been a successful alternative dispute process that brought together in a Task Team set up by the Minister, the Urban Futures Centre, the Hub researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network, the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisher Folks, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the Legal Resource Centre to address the exclusion of subsistence fishers in the city of Durban. The images from the "Fishers' Tales project" that are used in the "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" (March 2024) are listed below: • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa |
| Impact | Artworks: • Snowy. Hook. Line and Sinker. Oral history. 2021. South Africa • Snowy. The Human Chain. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Snowy. The Treacherous South Pier. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. I Got Hooked. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. Segregated. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tozi Mthiyane. Fishers Unite. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Oppressed Fishermen. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Fishing Heritage in Peril. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. In a Perfect World, Fishing Has No Gender. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Family that Fishes Together Stays Together. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Battle for the Piers. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Monty. Being Outdoors. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Brother's Bond. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Violation of the Sea. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. Close Encounter. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. The Art of Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. An Unusual Catch. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. A Dwindling Species. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Erhardt. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Andre and William. You Live by the Sea; You Die by the Sea. 2021. Oral history, South Africa • Thomas. Indigenous Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa. • Grant. Where Have All the Bait Fish Gone? 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. The Sea is My Farm: Roy's Story. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Net Fishers. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Durban Harbour. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Brotherhood. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Nibela River. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kevin Ngweny. A Fishers Tale. 2021. Digital illustration. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Stained Memories. 2021. Watercolour and found object. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Risks. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Privilege in the Distance. 2021. Watercolour. South Africa • Zimvo Nonjola. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. View from the South Pier. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Pele Moonsamy: A Fisher to Remember. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Ink on paper. South Africa • Elisa Morgera. Fishing Dreams. 2021. Watercolour and ink. Scotland • Bandile Gumede. Pele and Bina. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa Project collaborators: Cassandra Abboy, Rohini Amratlal, Andrea, Kira Erwin, Grant, Bandile Gumede, Thabisile Gumede, Doung Jahangeer, JP, Lina Macanhe, Mr Mbhele, Ezami Molefe, Monty, Nompilo Mthethwa, Tozi Mthiyane, Elisa Morgera, Kevin Ngwenya, Zimvo Nonjola, Sherelee Odayar, Casey Pratt, Riaz, Kenneth Shandu, Snowy, Tamlynn, Thomas, William, Nozipho Xaba Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • Erwin, K. Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea. 31 January 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea • Real Life on the 'dolosse'. Independent Online. 12 March 2022. https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/real-life-on-the-dolosse-ab2b9754-48c3-47ca-84c6-a78e65e6107b • Art Exhibition Centres Around Durban's Fishermen. The Berea Mail. 13 March 2022. https://bereamail.co.za/282549/art-exhibition-centers-around-durbans-fishermen/ • Fisherfolk Take Central Stage. The Post. 23 March 2022. • Erwin, K. The Art of Engagement: The Fishers Tales Exhibition. 29 March 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-art-of-engagement-the-fishers-tales-exhibition/ • Activism Meets Art at Fisher's Tales Exhibition. Rising Sun Overport. 21 April 2022. https://risingsunoverport.co.za/116531/video-activism-meets-art-at-fishers-tale-exhibition/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Website launch. 2022. https://fisherstales.org/ • Schools tour of Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 18 March 2022. • Fishers presentations and workshop. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 19 March 2022. • Ocean education workshop with Wild Oceans. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 April 2022. • Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop. 4 June 2022. (37 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 March - 3 April 2022. • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Fishers Tales. UNITAR One Ocean Learn. https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/ (1614 views) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Fishers' Tales |
| Organisation | South Durban Community Environmental Alliance |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Urban Futures Centre, in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, collected 15 oral histories and edited stories under the auspice of Fishers Tales. Each narrative, recorded and transcribed in English and isiZulu, is accompanied by a work of art produced by students from the Durban University of Technology. The piers of south Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, attract an eclectic mix of subsistence and recreational fishermen and women. For many, the piers are a home away from home. Kin fish alongside one another, with older generations sharing knowledge of fishing techniques, net construction and lure craftsmanship. During apartheid (1948-1994), access to the sea was severely restricted, and in some cases prohibited, for non-white South Africans. Racial segregation banished many communities from their ancestral homelands and waters. Today, government policies continue to be a source of tension among fisherfolk. Costly permits are a financial burden, while regulations that limit catch and harvest quotas are inadequate for personal and family consumption. Legislation makes it illegal for catches to be sold, meaning that income for basic needs is lacking. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the Hub-led online UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0) and an in-person workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Events at the UN Food and Agricultural Organization headquarters on 29 March 2023, Rome, Italy. A selection of art work from the collection was also included as an art exhibition in the Hub's One Ocean Learn knowledge-translation platform co-developed with UNITAR (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising two female project managers and one emerging writer and curator (who is female). The project also engaged 10 fishers (two of whom are female) and nine art students from the Durban University of Technology (six of whom are female). The project has bolstered partnerships between the Durban University of Technology, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the local fisher community. The exhibition and associated programmes at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts enabled discussions between different stakeholders including researchers, activists, policy-makers and fishers. Dr Kira Erwin has used some of the images from this project in the broader human rights advocacy work that she is doing with fishers in South Africa and in the report titled "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" published in March 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ih6iqg7dqb2dag0ber8v3pekfp; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/d3jvcnngbo4lob049jktaaeu2q). This research was conducted as part of the South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Task Team set up by Minister Barbara Creecy to address the exclusions raised by the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, the Urban Future Centre at the Durban University of Technology, the Legal Resource Centre, and the Directorate of Small-Scale Fishers at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. The alternative dispute process that lasted more than two years and the survey research with fishers that the One Ocean Hub supported and funded have led to the Directorate of Small-Scale Fisheries in the Department of Environmental, Forestry and Fishers agreeing to submit a proposal to the National Minister for interim measures (exemption permits) and to undertake a dedicated process to ensure that fishers in this large Metropole are included under the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy so that they get recognised and allocated rights as small-scale fishers. This process has been a successful alternative dispute process that brought together in a Task Team set up by the Minister, the Urban Futures Centre, the Hub researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network, the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisher Folks, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the Legal Resource Centre to address the exclusion of subsistence fishers in the city of Durban. The images from the "Fishers' Tales project" that are used in the "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" (March 2024) are listed below: • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa |
| Impact | Artworks: • Snowy. Hook. Line and Sinker. Oral history. 2021. South Africa • Snowy. The Human Chain. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Snowy. The Treacherous South Pier. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. I Got Hooked. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. Segregated. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tozi Mthiyane. Fishers Unite. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Oppressed Fishermen. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Fishing Heritage in Peril. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. In a Perfect World, Fishing Has No Gender. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Family that Fishes Together Stays Together. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Battle for the Piers. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Monty. Being Outdoors. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Brother's Bond. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Violation of the Sea. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. Close Encounter. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. The Art of Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. An Unusual Catch. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. A Dwindling Species. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Erhardt. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Andre and William. You Live by the Sea; You Die by the Sea. 2021. Oral history, South Africa • Thomas. Indigenous Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa. • Grant. Where Have All the Bait Fish Gone? 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. The Sea is My Farm: Roy's Story. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Net Fishers. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Durban Harbour. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Brotherhood. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Nibela River. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kevin Ngweny. A Fishers Tale. 2021. Digital illustration. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Stained Memories. 2021. Watercolour and found object. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Risks. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Privilege in the Distance. 2021. Watercolour. South Africa • Zimvo Nonjola. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. View from the South Pier. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Pele Moonsamy: A Fisher to Remember. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Ink on paper. South Africa • Elisa Morgera. Fishing Dreams. 2021. Watercolour and ink. Scotland • Bandile Gumede. Pele and Bina. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa Project collaborators: Cassandra Abboy, Rohini Amratlal, Andrea, Kira Erwin, Grant, Bandile Gumede, Thabisile Gumede, Doung Jahangeer, JP, Lina Macanhe, Mr Mbhele, Ezami Molefe, Monty, Nompilo Mthethwa, Tozi Mthiyane, Elisa Morgera, Kevin Ngwenya, Zimvo Nonjola, Sherelee Odayar, Casey Pratt, Riaz, Kenneth Shandu, Snowy, Tamlynn, Thomas, William, Nozipho Xaba Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • Erwin, K. Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea. 31 January 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea • Real Life on the 'dolosse'. Independent Online. 12 March 2022. https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/real-life-on-the-dolosse-ab2b9754-48c3-47ca-84c6-a78e65e6107b • Art Exhibition Centres Around Durban's Fishermen. The Berea Mail. 13 March 2022. https://bereamail.co.za/282549/art-exhibition-centers-around-durbans-fishermen/ • Fisherfolk Take Central Stage. The Post. 23 March 2022. • Erwin, K. The Art of Engagement: The Fishers Tales Exhibition. 29 March 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-art-of-engagement-the-fishers-tales-exhibition/ • Activism Meets Art at Fisher's Tales Exhibition. Rising Sun Overport. 21 April 2022. https://risingsunoverport.co.za/116531/video-activism-meets-art-at-fishers-tale-exhibition/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Website launch. 2022. https://fisherstales.org/ • Schools tour of Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 18 March 2022. • Fishers presentations and workshop. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 19 March 2022. • Ocean education workshop with Wild Oceans. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 April 2022. • Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop. 4 June 2022. (37 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 March - 3 April 2022. • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Fishers Tales. UNITAR One Ocean Learn. https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/ (1614 views) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Fishers' Tales |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Urban Futures Centre, in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, collected 15 oral histories and edited stories under the auspice of Fishers Tales. Each narrative, recorded and transcribed in English and isiZulu, is accompanied by a work of art produced by students from the Durban University of Technology. The piers of south Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, attract an eclectic mix of subsistence and recreational fishermen and women. For many, the piers are a home away from home. Kin fish alongside one another, with older generations sharing knowledge of fishing techniques, net construction and lure craftsmanship. During apartheid (1948-1994), access to the sea was severely restricted, and in some cases prohibited, for non-white South Africans. Racial segregation banished many communities from their ancestral homelands and waters. Today, government policies continue to be a source of tension among fisherfolk. Costly permits are a financial burden, while regulations that limit catch and harvest quotas are inadequate for personal and family consumption. Legislation makes it illegal for catches to be sold, meaning that income for basic needs is lacking. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the Hub-led online UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0) and an in-person workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Events at the UN Food and Agricultural Organization headquarters on 29 March 2023, Rome, Italy. A selection of art work from the collection was also included as an art exhibition in the Hub's One Ocean Learn knowledge-translation platform co-developed with UNITAR (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising two female project managers and one emerging writer and curator (who is female). The project also engaged 10 fishers (two of whom are female) and nine art students from the Durban University of Technology (six of whom are female). The project has bolstered partnerships between the Durban University of Technology, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the local fisher community. The exhibition and associated programmes at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts enabled discussions between different stakeholders including researchers, activists, policy-makers and fishers. Dr Kira Erwin has used some of the images from this project in the broader human rights advocacy work that she is doing with fishers in South Africa and in the report titled "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" published in March 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ih6iqg7dqb2dag0ber8v3pekfp; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/d3jvcnngbo4lob049jktaaeu2q). This research was conducted as part of the South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Task Team set up by Minister Barbara Creecy to address the exclusions raised by the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, the Urban Future Centre at the Durban University of Technology, the Legal Resource Centre, and the Directorate of Small-Scale Fishers at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. The alternative dispute process that lasted more than two years and the survey research with fishers that the One Ocean Hub supported and funded have led to the Directorate of Small-Scale Fisheries in the Department of Environmental, Forestry and Fishers agreeing to submit a proposal to the National Minister for interim measures (exemption permits) and to undertake a dedicated process to ensure that fishers in this large Metropole are included under the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy so that they get recognised and allocated rights as small-scale fishers. This process has been a successful alternative dispute process that brought together in a Task Team set up by the Minister, the Urban Futures Centre, the Hub researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network, the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisher Folks, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the Legal Resource Centre to address the exclusion of subsistence fishers in the city of Durban. The images from the "Fishers' Tales project" that are used in the "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" (March 2024) are listed below: • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa |
| Impact | Artworks: • Snowy. Hook. Line and Sinker. Oral history. 2021. South Africa • Snowy. The Human Chain. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Snowy. The Treacherous South Pier. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. I Got Hooked. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. Segregated. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tozi Mthiyane. Fishers Unite. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Oppressed Fishermen. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Fishing Heritage in Peril. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. In a Perfect World, Fishing Has No Gender. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Family that Fishes Together Stays Together. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Battle for the Piers. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Monty. Being Outdoors. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Brother's Bond. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Violation of the Sea. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. Close Encounter. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. The Art of Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. An Unusual Catch. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. A Dwindling Species. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Erhardt. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Andre and William. You Live by the Sea; You Die by the Sea. 2021. Oral history, South Africa • Thomas. Indigenous Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa. • Grant. Where Have All the Bait Fish Gone? 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. The Sea is My Farm: Roy's Story. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Net Fishers. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Durban Harbour. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Brotherhood. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Nibela River. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kevin Ngweny. A Fishers Tale. 2021. Digital illustration. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Stained Memories. 2021. Watercolour and found object. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Risks. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Privilege in the Distance. 2021. Watercolour. South Africa • Zimvo Nonjola. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. View from the South Pier. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Pele Moonsamy: A Fisher to Remember. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Ink on paper. South Africa • Elisa Morgera. Fishing Dreams. 2021. Watercolour and ink. Scotland • Bandile Gumede. Pele and Bina. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa Project collaborators: Cassandra Abboy, Rohini Amratlal, Andrea, Kira Erwin, Grant, Bandile Gumede, Thabisile Gumede, Doung Jahangeer, JP, Lina Macanhe, Mr Mbhele, Ezami Molefe, Monty, Nompilo Mthethwa, Tozi Mthiyane, Elisa Morgera, Kevin Ngwenya, Zimvo Nonjola, Sherelee Odayar, Casey Pratt, Riaz, Kenneth Shandu, Snowy, Tamlynn, Thomas, William, Nozipho Xaba Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • Erwin, K. Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea. 31 January 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea • Real Life on the 'dolosse'. Independent Online. 12 March 2022. https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/real-life-on-the-dolosse-ab2b9754-48c3-47ca-84c6-a78e65e6107b • Art Exhibition Centres Around Durban's Fishermen. The Berea Mail. 13 March 2022. https://bereamail.co.za/282549/art-exhibition-centers-around-durbans-fishermen/ • Fisherfolk Take Central Stage. The Post. 23 March 2022. • Erwin, K. The Art of Engagement: The Fishers Tales Exhibition. 29 March 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-art-of-engagement-the-fishers-tales-exhibition/ • Activism Meets Art at Fisher's Tales Exhibition. Rising Sun Overport. 21 April 2022. https://risingsunoverport.co.za/116531/video-activism-meets-art-at-fishers-tale-exhibition/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Website launch. 2022. https://fisherstales.org/ • Schools tour of Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 18 March 2022. • Fishers presentations and workshop. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 19 March 2022. • Ocean education workshop with Wild Oceans. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 April 2022. • Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop. 4 June 2022. (37 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 March - 3 April 2022. • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Fishers Tales. UNITAR One Ocean Learn. https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/ (1614 views) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Fishers' Tales |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Urban Futures Centre, in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, collected 15 oral histories and edited stories under the auspice of Fishers Tales. Each narrative, recorded and transcribed in English and isiZulu, is accompanied by a work of art produced by students from the Durban University of Technology. The piers of south Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, attract an eclectic mix of subsistence and recreational fishermen and women. For many, the piers are a home away from home. Kin fish alongside one another, with older generations sharing knowledge of fishing techniques, net construction and lure craftsmanship. During apartheid (1948-1994), access to the sea was severely restricted, and in some cases prohibited, for non-white South Africans. Racial segregation banished many communities from their ancestral homelands and waters. Today, government policies continue to be a source of tension among fisherfolk. Costly permits are a financial burden, while regulations that limit catch and harvest quotas are inadequate for personal and family consumption. Legislation makes it illegal for catches to be sold, meaning that income for basic needs is lacking. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the Hub-led online UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0) and an in-person workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Events at the UN Food and Agricultural Organization headquarters on 29 March 2023, Rome, Italy. A selection of art work from the collection was also included as an art exhibition in the Hub's One Ocean Learn knowledge-translation platform co-developed with UNITAR (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising two female project managers and one emerging writer and curator (who is female). The project also engaged 10 fishers (two of whom are female) and nine art students from the Durban University of Technology (six of whom are female). The project has bolstered partnerships between the Durban University of Technology, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the local fisher community. The exhibition and associated programmes at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts enabled discussions between different stakeholders including researchers, activists, policy-makers and fishers. Dr Kira Erwin has used some of the images from this project in the broader human rights advocacy work that she is doing with fishers in South Africa and in the report titled "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" published in March 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ih6iqg7dqb2dag0ber8v3pekfp; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/d3jvcnngbo4lob049jktaaeu2q). This research was conducted as part of the South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Task Team set up by Minister Barbara Creecy to address the exclusions raised by the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, the Urban Future Centre at the Durban University of Technology, the Legal Resource Centre, and the Directorate of Small-Scale Fishers at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. The alternative dispute process that lasted more than two years and the survey research with fishers that the One Ocean Hub supported and funded have led to the Directorate of Small-Scale Fisheries in the Department of Environmental, Forestry and Fishers agreeing to submit a proposal to the National Minister for interim measures (exemption permits) and to undertake a dedicated process to ensure that fishers in this large Metropole are included under the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy so that they get recognised and allocated rights as small-scale fishers. This process has been a successful alternative dispute process that brought together in a Task Team set up by the Minister, the Urban Futures Centre, the Hub researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network, the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisher Folks, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the Legal Resource Centre to address the exclusion of subsistence fishers in the city of Durban. The images from the "Fishers' Tales project" that are used in the "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" (March 2024) are listed below: • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa |
| Impact | Artworks: • Snowy. Hook. Line and Sinker. Oral history. 2021. South Africa • Snowy. The Human Chain. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Snowy. The Treacherous South Pier. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. I Got Hooked. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. Segregated. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tozi Mthiyane. Fishers Unite. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Oppressed Fishermen. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Fishing Heritage in Peril. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. In a Perfect World, Fishing Has No Gender. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Family that Fishes Together Stays Together. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Battle for the Piers. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Monty. Being Outdoors. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Brother's Bond. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Violation of the Sea. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. Close Encounter. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. The Art of Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. An Unusual Catch. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. A Dwindling Species. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Erhardt. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Andre and William. You Live by the Sea; You Die by the Sea. 2021. Oral history, South Africa • Thomas. Indigenous Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa. • Grant. Where Have All the Bait Fish Gone? 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. The Sea is My Farm: Roy's Story. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Net Fishers. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Durban Harbour. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Brotherhood. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Nibela River. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kevin Ngweny. A Fishers Tale. 2021. Digital illustration. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Stained Memories. 2021. Watercolour and found object. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Risks. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Privilege in the Distance. 2021. Watercolour. South Africa • Zimvo Nonjola. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. View from the South Pier. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Pele Moonsamy: A Fisher to Remember. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Ink on paper. South Africa • Elisa Morgera. Fishing Dreams. 2021. Watercolour and ink. Scotland • Bandile Gumede. Pele and Bina. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa Project collaborators: Cassandra Abboy, Rohini Amratlal, Andrea, Kira Erwin, Grant, Bandile Gumede, Thabisile Gumede, Doung Jahangeer, JP, Lina Macanhe, Mr Mbhele, Ezami Molefe, Monty, Nompilo Mthethwa, Tozi Mthiyane, Elisa Morgera, Kevin Ngwenya, Zimvo Nonjola, Sherelee Odayar, Casey Pratt, Riaz, Kenneth Shandu, Snowy, Tamlynn, Thomas, William, Nozipho Xaba Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • Erwin, K. Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea. 31 January 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea • Real Life on the 'dolosse'. Independent Online. 12 March 2022. https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/real-life-on-the-dolosse-ab2b9754-48c3-47ca-84c6-a78e65e6107b • Art Exhibition Centres Around Durban's Fishermen. The Berea Mail. 13 March 2022. https://bereamail.co.za/282549/art-exhibition-centers-around-durbans-fishermen/ • Fisherfolk Take Central Stage. The Post. 23 March 2022. • Erwin, K. The Art of Engagement: The Fishers Tales Exhibition. 29 March 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-art-of-engagement-the-fishers-tales-exhibition/ • Activism Meets Art at Fisher's Tales Exhibition. Rising Sun Overport. 21 April 2022. https://risingsunoverport.co.za/116531/video-activism-meets-art-at-fishers-tale-exhibition/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Website launch. 2022. https://fisherstales.org/ • Schools tour of Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 18 March 2022. • Fishers presentations and workshop. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 19 March 2022. • Ocean education workshop with Wild Oceans. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 April 2022. • Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop. 4 June 2022. (37 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 March - 3 April 2022. • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Fishers Tales. UNITAR One Ocean Learn. https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/ (1614 views) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Fishers' Tales |
| Organisation | University of the South Pacific, Laucala |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Urban Futures Centre, in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, collected 15 oral histories and edited stories under the auspice of Fishers Tales. Each narrative, recorded and transcribed in English and isiZulu, is accompanied by a work of art produced by students from the Durban University of Technology. The piers of south Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, attract an eclectic mix of subsistence and recreational fishermen and women. For many, the piers are a home away from home. Kin fish alongside one another, with older generations sharing knowledge of fishing techniques, net construction and lure craftsmanship. During apartheid (1948-1994), access to the sea was severely restricted, and in some cases prohibited, for non-white South Africans. Racial segregation banished many communities from their ancestral homelands and waters. Today, government policies continue to be a source of tension among fisherfolk. Costly permits are a financial burden, while regulations that limit catch and harvest quotas are inadequate for personal and family consumption. Legislation makes it illegal for catches to be sold, meaning that income for basic needs is lacking. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific and presentations at international forums such as the Hub-led online UN World Oceans Day 2022 event "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" on 7 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0) and an in-person workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Closing Events at the UN Food and Agricultural Organization headquarters on 29 March 2023, Rome, Italy. A selection of art work from the collection was also included as an art exhibition in the Hub's One Ocean Learn knowledge-translation platform co-developed with UNITAR (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising two female project managers and one emerging writer and curator (who is female). The project also engaged 10 fishers (two of whom are female) and nine art students from the Durban University of Technology (six of whom are female). The project has bolstered partnerships between the Durban University of Technology, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the local fisher community. The exhibition and associated programmes at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts enabled discussions between different stakeholders including researchers, activists, policy-makers and fishers. Dr Kira Erwin has used some of the images from this project in the broader human rights advocacy work that she is doing with fishers in South Africa and in the report titled "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" published in March 2024 (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ih6iqg7dqb2dag0ber8v3pekfp; https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/d3jvcnngbo4lob049jktaaeu2q). This research was conducted as part of the South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Task Team set up by Minister Barbara Creecy to address the exclusions raised by the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, the Urban Future Centre at the Durban University of Technology, the Legal Resource Centre, and the Directorate of Small-Scale Fishers at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. The alternative dispute process that lasted more than two years and the survey research with fishers that the One Ocean Hub supported and funded have led to the Directorate of Small-Scale Fisheries in the Department of Environmental, Forestry and Fishers agreeing to submit a proposal to the National Minister for interim measures (exemption permits) and to undertake a dedicated process to ensure that fishers in this large Metropole are included under the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy so that they get recognised and allocated rights as small-scale fishers. This process has been a successful alternative dispute process that brought together in a Task Team set up by the Minister, the Urban Futures Centre, the Hub researchers involved in the Coastal Justice Network, the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisher Folks, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the Legal Resource Centre to address the exclusion of subsistence fishers in the city of Durban. The images from the "Fishers' Tales project" that are used in the "Fishing without Rights: Research report on the socio-economic context of urban subsistence fishing in the city of Durban" (March 2024) are listed below: • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa |
| Impact | Artworks: • Snowy. Hook. Line and Sinker. Oral history. 2021. South Africa • Snowy. The Human Chain. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Snowy. The Treacherous South Pier. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. I Got Hooked. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • PJ. Segregated. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tozi Mthiyane. Fishers Unite. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Oppressed Fishermen. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Fishing Heritage in Peril. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. In a Perfect World, Fishing Has No Gender. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. A Family that Fishes Together Stays Together. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Thabisile Gumede. The Battle for the Piers. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Monty. Being Outdoors. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Brother's Bond. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. A Violation of the Sea. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. Close Encounter. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Riaz. The Art of Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. An Unusual Catch. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. A Dwindling Species. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Tamlynn. Erhardt. 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Andre and William. You Live by the Sea; You Die by the Sea. 2021. Oral history, South Africa • Thomas. Indigenous Fishing. 2021. Oral history. South Africa. • Grant. Where Have All the Bait Fish Gone? 2021. Oral history. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. The Sea is My Farm: Roy's Story. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Doung Jahangeer. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Net Fishers. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Durban Harbour. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Brotherhood. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kenneth Shandu. Nibela River. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa • Kevin Ngweny. A Fishers Tale. 2021. Digital illustration. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Casey Pratt. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Ezami Molefe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Lina Macanhe. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Nompilo Mthethwa. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Stained Memories. 2021. Watercolour and found object. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Risks. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Rohini Amratlal. Privilege in the Distance. 2021. Watercolour. South Africa • Zimvo Nonjola. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. View from the South Pier. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Untitled. 2021. Photograph. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Pele Moonsamy: A Fisher to Remember. 2021. Edited story. South Africa • Kira Erwin. Fishing Like a Girl. 2021. Ink on paper. South Africa • Elisa Morgera. Fishing Dreams. 2021. Watercolour and ink. Scotland • Bandile Gumede. Pele and Bina. 2021. Oil on canvas. South Africa Project collaborators: Cassandra Abboy, Rohini Amratlal, Andrea, Kira Erwin, Grant, Bandile Gumede, Thabisile Gumede, Doung Jahangeer, JP, Lina Macanhe, Mr Mbhele, Ezami Molefe, Monty, Nompilo Mthethwa, Tozi Mthiyane, Elisa Morgera, Kevin Ngwenya, Zimvo Nonjola, Sherelee Odayar, Casey Pratt, Riaz, Kenneth Shandu, Snowy, Tamlynn, Thomas, William, Nozipho Xaba Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • Erwin, K. Fishers Tales: Stories with the Sea. 31 January 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea • Real Life on the 'dolosse'. Independent Online. 12 March 2022. https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/real-life-on-the-dolosse-ab2b9754-48c3-47ca-84c6-a78e65e6107b • Art Exhibition Centres Around Durban's Fishermen. The Berea Mail. 13 March 2022. https://bereamail.co.za/282549/art-exhibition-centers-around-durbans-fishermen/ • Fisherfolk Take Central Stage. The Post. 23 March 2022. • Erwin, K. The Art of Engagement: The Fishers Tales Exhibition. 29 March 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/the-art-of-engagement-the-fishers-tales-exhibition/ • Activism Meets Art at Fisher's Tales Exhibition. Rising Sun Overport. 21 April 2022. https://risingsunoverport.co.za/116531/video-activism-meets-art-at-fishers-tale-exhibition/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Website launch. 2022. https://fisherstales.org/ • Schools tour of Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 18 March 2022. • Fishers presentations and workshop. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 19 March 2022. • Ocean education workshop with Wild Oceans. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 April 2022. • Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change workshop. 4 June 2022. (37 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions • Fishers Tales. KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa. 2 March - 3 April 2022. • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Fishers Tales. UNITAR One Ocean Learn. https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/ (1614 views) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Our Sacred Ocean |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Keiskamma Art Project's monumental tapestry Our Sacred Ocean spans generations in its collection of stories, memories and practices in South Africa. Combining the techniques of embroidery and appliqué, the tapestry incorporates materials such as cotton, felt, beads and wool. The tapestry conveys that the ocean is a sacred place of ancestral memories, wisdom and rituals for the communities of Hamburg and Bodium in South Africa's Eastern Cape. For more than four centuries, the Xhosa people have relied upon the sea for their spiritual and physical wellbeing. Deeply revered customary practices are inherently linked to the ocean. Seawater is used by sangomas (traditional healers) to heal illnesses caused by contact with impure objects or events, neglect of the ancestors or witchcraft. Bathing in the sea cleanses the body, washes away bad luck and invites prosperity and success. The tapestry was created by Project artists Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani and Nandipha Yona; under the guidance of advisory elders Nozeti Makhubalo, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga and Vivian Solwandle. A boarder of text contains quotes from a 2023 High Court case that successfully set aside destructive oil and gas exploration rights granted to Shell, on the basis of evidence on intangible cultural heritage conveyed through artwork produced under the One Ocean Hub. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI). The researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one female project manager, 10 artists (nine of whom are female) and four female cultural advisors. After the success of the project, Keiskamma Art Project secured further commissions including Umlibo, funded by the World Wide Fund for Nature, and exhibited at the UN Climate COP28. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Keiskamma Art Project. Our Sacred Ocean. 2022. Tapestry. South Africa Project collaborators: Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Micheala Howse, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Nozeti Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani, Vivian Solwandle, Nandipha Yona Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. and McGarry. D. Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. 19 July 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/our-ocean-is-sacred-you-cant-mine-heaven/ • Matters of Obsession: A Stitch in Sacred Time. Exhibition Weaves our Oceans back into the Realm of the Divine. Daily Maverick. 2 September 2022. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-05-a-stitch-in-sacred-time-exhibition-weaves-our-oceans-back-into-the-realm-of-the-divine/ • Exploring Africa's Sacred Relationships with the Ocean. I.I.I. 25 October 2022. https://www.three-mag.com/post/exploring-africa-s-sacred-relationship-with-the-ocean • McDonald, L. Evolving Tapestry Embodies Ancestral Wisdom of the Ocean and Current Governance Developments in South Africa. 15 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/evolving-tapestry-embodies-ancestral-wisdom-of-the-ocean-and-current-governance-developments-in-south-africa/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific exhibition on show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Howse, M. Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders. UN School for Human Rights and the Environment, 22 June 2021. https://schoolforhumanrightsandenvironment.wordpress.com/oceans-art-and-environmental-defenders/ • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Cebo Mvubu. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions: • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. National Arts Festival, Makhanda, South Africa. 23 June - 3 July 202. (860 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. Zero Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa. 4 August - 20 November 2022. (1380 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven [digital exhibition]. https://my.matterport.com/models/oSfnkYPp6as?organization=iYXXZk315qb§ion=media (175 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Our Sacred Ocean |
| Organisation | Keiskamma Trust |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Keiskamma Art Project's monumental tapestry Our Sacred Ocean spans generations in its collection of stories, memories and practices in South Africa. Combining the techniques of embroidery and appliqué, the tapestry incorporates materials such as cotton, felt, beads and wool. The tapestry conveys that the ocean is a sacred place of ancestral memories, wisdom and rituals for the communities of Hamburg and Bodium in South Africa's Eastern Cape. For more than four centuries, the Xhosa people have relied upon the sea for their spiritual and physical wellbeing. Deeply revered customary practices are inherently linked to the ocean. Seawater is used by sangomas (traditional healers) to heal illnesses caused by contact with impure objects or events, neglect of the ancestors or witchcraft. Bathing in the sea cleanses the body, washes away bad luck and invites prosperity and success. The tapestry was created by Project artists Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani and Nandipha Yona; under the guidance of advisory elders Nozeti Makhubalo, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga and Vivian Solwandle. A boarder of text contains quotes from a 2023 High Court case that successfully set aside destructive oil and gas exploration rights granted to Shell, on the basis of evidence on intangible cultural heritage conveyed through artwork produced under the One Ocean Hub. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI). The researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one female project manager, 10 artists (nine of whom are female) and four female cultural advisors. After the success of the project, Keiskamma Art Project secured further commissions including Umlibo, funded by the World Wide Fund for Nature, and exhibited at the UN Climate COP28. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Keiskamma Art Project. Our Sacred Ocean. 2022. Tapestry. South Africa Project collaborators: Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Micheala Howse, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Nozeti Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani, Vivian Solwandle, Nandipha Yona Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. and McGarry. D. Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. 19 July 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/our-ocean-is-sacred-you-cant-mine-heaven/ • Matters of Obsession: A Stitch in Sacred Time. Exhibition Weaves our Oceans back into the Realm of the Divine. Daily Maverick. 2 September 2022. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-05-a-stitch-in-sacred-time-exhibition-weaves-our-oceans-back-into-the-realm-of-the-divine/ • Exploring Africa's Sacred Relationships with the Ocean. I.I.I. 25 October 2022. https://www.three-mag.com/post/exploring-africa-s-sacred-relationship-with-the-ocean • McDonald, L. Evolving Tapestry Embodies Ancestral Wisdom of the Ocean and Current Governance Developments in South Africa. 15 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/evolving-tapestry-embodies-ancestral-wisdom-of-the-ocean-and-current-governance-developments-in-south-africa/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific exhibition on show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Howse, M. Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders. UN School for Human Rights and the Environment, 22 June 2021. https://schoolforhumanrightsandenvironment.wordpress.com/oceans-art-and-environmental-defenders/ • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Cebo Mvubu. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions: • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. National Arts Festival, Makhanda, South Africa. 23 June - 3 July 202. (860 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. Zero Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa. 4 August - 20 November 2022. (1380 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven [digital exhibition]. https://my.matterport.com/models/oSfnkYPp6as?organization=iYXXZk315qb§ion=media (175 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Our Sacred Ocean |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Keiskamma Art Project's monumental tapestry Our Sacred Ocean spans generations in its collection of stories, memories and practices in South Africa. Combining the techniques of embroidery and appliqué, the tapestry incorporates materials such as cotton, felt, beads and wool. The tapestry conveys that the ocean is a sacred place of ancestral memories, wisdom and rituals for the communities of Hamburg and Bodium in South Africa's Eastern Cape. For more than four centuries, the Xhosa people have relied upon the sea for their spiritual and physical wellbeing. Deeply revered customary practices are inherently linked to the ocean. Seawater is used by sangomas (traditional healers) to heal illnesses caused by contact with impure objects or events, neglect of the ancestors or witchcraft. Bathing in the sea cleanses the body, washes away bad luck and invites prosperity and success. The tapestry was created by Project artists Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani and Nandipha Yona; under the guidance of advisory elders Nozeti Makhubalo, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga and Vivian Solwandle. A boarder of text contains quotes from a 2023 High Court case that successfully set aside destructive oil and gas exploration rights granted to Shell, on the basis of evidence on intangible cultural heritage conveyed through artwork produced under the One Ocean Hub. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI). The researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one female project manager, 10 artists (nine of whom are female) and four female cultural advisors. After the success of the project, Keiskamma Art Project secured further commissions including Umlibo, funded by the World Wide Fund for Nature, and exhibited at the UN Climate COP28. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Keiskamma Art Project. Our Sacred Ocean. 2022. Tapestry. South Africa Project collaborators: Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Micheala Howse, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Nozeti Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani, Vivian Solwandle, Nandipha Yona Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. and McGarry. D. Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. 19 July 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/our-ocean-is-sacred-you-cant-mine-heaven/ • Matters of Obsession: A Stitch in Sacred Time. Exhibition Weaves our Oceans back into the Realm of the Divine. Daily Maverick. 2 September 2022. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-05-a-stitch-in-sacred-time-exhibition-weaves-our-oceans-back-into-the-realm-of-the-divine/ • Exploring Africa's Sacred Relationships with the Ocean. I.I.I. 25 October 2022. https://www.three-mag.com/post/exploring-africa-s-sacred-relationship-with-the-ocean • McDonald, L. Evolving Tapestry Embodies Ancestral Wisdom of the Ocean and Current Governance Developments in South Africa. 15 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/evolving-tapestry-embodies-ancestral-wisdom-of-the-ocean-and-current-governance-developments-in-south-africa/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific exhibition on show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Howse, M. Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders. UN School for Human Rights and the Environment, 22 June 2021. https://schoolforhumanrightsandenvironment.wordpress.com/oceans-art-and-environmental-defenders/ • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Cebo Mvubu. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions: • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. National Arts Festival, Makhanda, South Africa. 23 June - 3 July 202. (860 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. Zero Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa. 4 August - 20 November 2022. (1380 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven [digital exhibition]. https://my.matterport.com/models/oSfnkYPp6as?organization=iYXXZk315qb§ion=media (175 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Our Sacred Ocean |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Keiskamma Art Project's monumental tapestry Our Sacred Ocean spans generations in its collection of stories, memories and practices in South Africa. Combining the techniques of embroidery and appliqué, the tapestry incorporates materials such as cotton, felt, beads and wool. The tapestry conveys that the ocean is a sacred place of ancestral memories, wisdom and rituals for the communities of Hamburg and Bodium in South Africa's Eastern Cape. For more than four centuries, the Xhosa people have relied upon the sea for their spiritual and physical wellbeing. Deeply revered customary practices are inherently linked to the ocean. Seawater is used by sangomas (traditional healers) to heal illnesses caused by contact with impure objects or events, neglect of the ancestors or witchcraft. Bathing in the sea cleanses the body, washes away bad luck and invites prosperity and success. The tapestry was created by Project artists Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani and Nandipha Yona; under the guidance of advisory elders Nozeti Makhubalo, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga and Vivian Solwandle. A boarder of text contains quotes from a 2023 High Court case that successfully set aside destructive oil and gas exploration rights granted to Shell, on the basis of evidence on intangible cultural heritage conveyed through artwork produced under the One Ocean Hub. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI). The researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one female project manager, 10 artists (nine of whom are female) and four female cultural advisors. After the success of the project, Keiskamma Art Project secured further commissions including Umlibo, funded by the World Wide Fund for Nature, and exhibited at the UN Climate COP28. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Keiskamma Art Project. Our Sacred Ocean. 2022. Tapestry. South Africa Project collaborators: Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Micheala Howse, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Nozeti Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani, Vivian Solwandle, Nandipha Yona Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. and McGarry. D. Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. 19 July 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/our-ocean-is-sacred-you-cant-mine-heaven/ • Matters of Obsession: A Stitch in Sacred Time. Exhibition Weaves our Oceans back into the Realm of the Divine. Daily Maverick. 2 September 2022. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-05-a-stitch-in-sacred-time-exhibition-weaves-our-oceans-back-into-the-realm-of-the-divine/ • Exploring Africa's Sacred Relationships with the Ocean. I.I.I. 25 October 2022. https://www.three-mag.com/post/exploring-africa-s-sacred-relationship-with-the-ocean • McDonald, L. Evolving Tapestry Embodies Ancestral Wisdom of the Ocean and Current Governance Developments in South Africa. 15 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/evolving-tapestry-embodies-ancestral-wisdom-of-the-ocean-and-current-governance-developments-in-south-africa/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific exhibition on show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Howse, M. Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders. UN School for Human Rights and the Environment, 22 June 2021. https://schoolforhumanrightsandenvironment.wordpress.com/oceans-art-and-environmental-defenders/ • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Cebo Mvubu. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions: • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. National Arts Festival, Makhanda, South Africa. 23 June - 3 July 202. (860 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. Zero Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa. 4 August - 20 November 2022. (1380 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven [digital exhibition]. https://my.matterport.com/models/oSfnkYPp6as?organization=iYXXZk315qb§ion=media (175 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Our Sacred Ocean |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Keiskamma Art Project's monumental tapestry Our Sacred Ocean spans generations in its collection of stories, memories and practices in South Africa. Combining the techniques of embroidery and appliqué, the tapestry incorporates materials such as cotton, felt, beads and wool. The tapestry conveys that the ocean is a sacred place of ancestral memories, wisdom and rituals for the communities of Hamburg and Bodium in South Africa's Eastern Cape. For more than four centuries, the Xhosa people have relied upon the sea for their spiritual and physical wellbeing. Deeply revered customary practices are inherently linked to the ocean. Seawater is used by sangomas (traditional healers) to heal illnesses caused by contact with impure objects or events, neglect of the ancestors or witchcraft. Bathing in the sea cleanses the body, washes away bad luck and invites prosperity and success. The tapestry was created by Project artists Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani and Nandipha Yona; under the guidance of advisory elders Nozeti Makhubalo, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga and Vivian Solwandle. A boarder of text contains quotes from a 2023 High Court case that successfully set aside destructive oil and gas exploration rights granted to Shell, on the basis of evidence on intangible cultural heritage conveyed through artwork produced under the One Ocean Hub. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI). The researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one female project manager, 10 artists (nine of whom are female) and four female cultural advisors. After the success of the project, Keiskamma Art Project secured further commissions including Umlibo, funded by the World Wide Fund for Nature, and exhibited at the UN Climate COP28. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Keiskamma Art Project. Our Sacred Ocean. 2022. Tapestry. South Africa Project collaborators: Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Micheala Howse, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Nozeti Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani, Vivian Solwandle, Nandipha Yona Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. and McGarry. D. Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. 19 July 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/our-ocean-is-sacred-you-cant-mine-heaven/ • Matters of Obsession: A Stitch in Sacred Time. Exhibition Weaves our Oceans back into the Realm of the Divine. Daily Maverick. 2 September 2022. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-05-a-stitch-in-sacred-time-exhibition-weaves-our-oceans-back-into-the-realm-of-the-divine/ • Exploring Africa's Sacred Relationships with the Ocean. I.I.I. 25 October 2022. https://www.three-mag.com/post/exploring-africa-s-sacred-relationship-with-the-ocean • McDonald, L. Evolving Tapestry Embodies Ancestral Wisdom of the Ocean and Current Governance Developments in South Africa. 15 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/evolving-tapestry-embodies-ancestral-wisdom-of-the-ocean-and-current-governance-developments-in-south-africa/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific exhibition on show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Howse, M. Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders. UN School for Human Rights and the Environment, 22 June 2021. https://schoolforhumanrightsandenvironment.wordpress.com/oceans-art-and-environmental-defenders/ • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Cebo Mvubu. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions: • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. National Arts Festival, Makhanda, South Africa. 23 June - 3 July 202. (860 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. Zero Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa. 4 August - 20 November 2022. (1380 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven [digital exhibition]. https://my.matterport.com/models/oSfnkYPp6as?organization=iYXXZk315qb§ion=media (175 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: Our Sacred Ocean |
| Organisation | University of the South Pacific, Laucala |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the DEEP Fund in 2021. The Keiskamma Art Project's monumental tapestry Our Sacred Ocean spans generations in its collection of stories, memories and practices in South Africa. Combining the techniques of embroidery and appliqué, the tapestry incorporates materials such as cotton, felt, beads and wool. The tapestry conveys that the ocean is a sacred place of ancestral memories, wisdom and rituals for the communities of Hamburg and Bodium in South Africa's Eastern Cape. For more than four centuries, the Xhosa people have relied upon the sea for their spiritual and physical wellbeing. Deeply revered customary practices are inherently linked to the ocean. Seawater is used by sangomas (traditional healers) to heal illnesses caused by contact with impure objects or events, neglect of the ancestors or witchcraft. Bathing in the sea cleanses the body, washes away bad luck and invites prosperity and success. The tapestry was created by Project artists Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani and Nandipha Yona; under the guidance of advisory elders Nozeti Makhubalo, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga and Vivian Solwandle. A boarder of text contains quotes from a 2023 High Court case that successfully set aside destructive oil and gas exploration rights granted to Shell, on the basis of evidence on intangible cultural heritage conveyed through artwork produced under the One Ocean Hub. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific (curated by Dr McDonald), and presentations at international forums such the UN Climate COP26 roundtable discussion featuring leading academics on "The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation" for the Scottish Government Climate Ambition Zone event, Glasgow, UK on 5 November 2021(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI). The researchers are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generating opportunities for a core team comprising one female project manager, 10 artists (nine of whom are female) and four female cultural advisors. After the success of the project, Keiskamma Art Project secured further commissions including Umlibo, funded by the World Wide Fund for Nature, and exhibited at the UN Climate COP28. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Keiskamma Art Project. Our Sacred Ocean. 2022. Tapestry. South Africa Project collaborators: Veronica Betani, Nozolile Gedze, Micheala Howse, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Nozeti Makhubalo, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Cebo Mvubu, Nokhanyiso Nompunga, Nompumelelo Nompunga, Nombulelo Paliso, Zukiswa Sikani, Vivian Solwandle, Nandipha Yona Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. and McGarry. D. Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. 19 July 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/our-ocean-is-sacred-you-cant-mine-heaven/ • Matters of Obsession: A Stitch in Sacred Time. Exhibition Weaves our Oceans back into the Realm of the Divine. Daily Maverick. 2 September 2022. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-05-a-stitch-in-sacred-time-exhibition-weaves-our-oceans-back-into-the-realm-of-the-divine/ • Exploring Africa's Sacred Relationships with the Ocean. I.I.I. 25 October 2022. https://www.three-mag.com/post/exploring-africa-s-sacred-relationship-with-the-ocean • McDonald, L. Evolving Tapestry Embodies Ancestral Wisdom of the Ocean and Current Governance Developments in South Africa. 15 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/evolving-tapestry-embodies-ancestral-wisdom-of-the-ocean-and-current-governance-developments-in-south-africa/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific exhibition on show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ Events: • Howse, M. Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders. UN School for Human Rights and the Environment, 22 June 2021. https://schoolforhumanrightsandenvironment.wordpress.com/oceans-art-and-environmental-defenders/ • Jeffrey, S. The Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation. Scottish Government COP26 Roundtable, 5 November 2021. https://bit.ly/3MSRi3l • Jeffrey, S. We Need Each Other: Transdisciplinary and Interdependence for Just and Ecocentric Futures. Glasgow School of Art COP26 Roundtable, 24 November 2021. (122 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Ocean Governance in Africa and the Pacific. Association of Critical Heritage Studies, Santiago De Chile, 4-7 December 2022. (30 attendees) • Artist Talk - Cebo Mvubu. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • Jeffrey, S. Digital Heritage Objects: Co-design, Communities and Significance. Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter, 11 July 2023. (50 attendees) Exhibitions: • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. National Arts Festival, Makhanda, South Africa. 23 June - 3 July 202. (860 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven. Zero Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa. 4 August - 20 November 2022. (1380 attendees) • Our Ocean is Sacred: You Can't Mine Heaven [digital exhibition]. https://my.matterport.com/models/oSfnkYPp6as?organization=iYXXZk315qb§ion=media (175 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: The Sea and Tsitsikamma |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research in ocean art, culture and heritage aims to surface and provide an outlet for the views of those groups that are generally under-represented in more traditional approaches to ocean science and management. This research programme will provide sources of customary law for analysis under the legal programme (Ocean Governance) and insights into traditional knowledge and livelihoods to inform all research themes. This programme is supported by a "Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund" to commission artistic responses that capture evolving challenges to ocean management, the ocean's multiple contributions to human wellbeing, and Hub findings. The Deep Fund is administered by the University of Strathclyde as lead partners in the One Ocean Hub project. This project "The Sea and Tsitsikamma: cultural heritage and meaning of the sea for the people of Tsitsikamma" was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021, and is led by Rhodes University, South Africa. In this project Rhodes University explores the historical and cultural centrality of the ocean to the people of Tsitsikamma, a diverse set of communities situated within the marine and terrestrial protected Garden Route National Park located on South Africa's southern coast. The project seeks to expose intergenerational bonds, knowledge and values attached to the sea. Trough digital storytelling the project reveals personal narratives, and cultural heritage mapping with 11 villages shared communal meanings of place. Plays by three secondary schools examined the experiences of youth who are often omitted from dialogue and debates regarding ocean policy and governance. The project seeks to engage with government officials who make decisions about the marine protected areas and park management agencies, as well as tourists of these area. The aim in engaging these audiences in to engage with them on the different values attached to the sea as well as the cultural and historical importance of these spaces, to inform future management decisions. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University, University of Cape Coast, University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific. The contributions of Rhodes University (which is one of the research partners under the Hub) include: digital stories; cultural mapping; and children's summer school. Dr Lisa McDonald at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is providing extensive project management including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has, and continues to, develop strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Stuart Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous knowledge systems, practices and heritage to effective ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are producing a digital exhibition, open-access book co-authored with DEEP Fund collaborators, journal articles and conference papers to convey research findings. A programme of forthcoming engagement activities is being co-developed with DEEP Fund collaborators to share artistic outputs at national, regional and international levels. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald's work will provide a conduit through which DEEP Fund project outputs can inform wider Hub research in partner countries. Together with other Hub researchers from law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring on how arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies contribute to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Deep Fund team has now been integrated in the Hub's International Impact Working Group to advance inter-disciplinary collaborations to embed learning in relevant international policy processes, as well as in the UN Decade for Ocean Science. Rhodes University is an active member of the South Africa country team and the Coastal Justice Network, so they are well positioned to advance inter-disciplinary linkages with other Hub research. |
| Impact | The project seeks to engage with Government officials who make decisions about the marine protected areas and park management agencies, as well as tourists of these area. The aim in engaging these audiences in to engage with them on the different values attached to the sea as well as the cultural and historical importance of these spaces, to inform future management decisions. Outputs from this partnership include: Outputs produced: Digital storytelling workshops Children's summer school and associated exhibition One Ocean Hub blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: The Sea and Tsitsikamma |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research in ocean art, culture and heritage aims to surface and provide an outlet for the views of those groups that are generally under-represented in more traditional approaches to ocean science and management. This research programme will provide sources of customary law for analysis under the legal programme (Ocean Governance) and insights into traditional knowledge and livelihoods to inform all research themes. This programme is supported by a "Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund" to commission artistic responses that capture evolving challenges to ocean management, the ocean's multiple contributions to human wellbeing, and Hub findings. The Deep Fund is administered by the University of Strathclyde as lead partners in the One Ocean Hub project. This project "The Sea and Tsitsikamma: cultural heritage and meaning of the sea for the people of Tsitsikamma" was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021, and is led by Rhodes University, South Africa. In this project Rhodes University explores the historical and cultural centrality of the ocean to the people of Tsitsikamma, a diverse set of communities situated within the marine and terrestrial protected Garden Route National Park located on South Africa's southern coast. The project seeks to expose intergenerational bonds, knowledge and values attached to the sea. Trough digital storytelling the project reveals personal narratives, and cultural heritage mapping with 11 villages shared communal meanings of place. Plays by three secondary schools examined the experiences of youth who are often omitted from dialogue and debates regarding ocean policy and governance. The project seeks to engage with government officials who make decisions about the marine protected areas and park management agencies, as well as tourists of these area. The aim in engaging these audiences in to engage with them on the different values attached to the sea as well as the cultural and historical importance of these spaces, to inform future management decisions. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University, University of Cape Coast, University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific. The contributions of Rhodes University (which is one of the research partners under the Hub) include: digital stories; cultural mapping; and children's summer school. Dr Lisa McDonald at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is providing extensive project management including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has, and continues to, develop strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Stuart Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous knowledge systems, practices and heritage to effective ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are producing a digital exhibition, open-access book co-authored with DEEP Fund collaborators, journal articles and conference papers to convey research findings. A programme of forthcoming engagement activities is being co-developed with DEEP Fund collaborators to share artistic outputs at national, regional and international levels. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald's work will provide a conduit through which DEEP Fund project outputs can inform wider Hub research in partner countries. Together with other Hub researchers from law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring on how arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies contribute to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Deep Fund team has now been integrated in the Hub's International Impact Working Group to advance inter-disciplinary collaborations to embed learning in relevant international policy processes, as well as in the UN Decade for Ocean Science. Rhodes University is an active member of the South Africa country team and the Coastal Justice Network, so they are well positioned to advance inter-disciplinary linkages with other Hub research. |
| Impact | The project seeks to engage with Government officials who make decisions about the marine protected areas and park management agencies, as well as tourists of these area. The aim in engaging these audiences in to engage with them on the different values attached to the sea as well as the cultural and historical importance of these spaces, to inform future management decisions. Outputs from this partnership include: Outputs produced: Digital storytelling workshops Children's summer school and associated exhibition One Ocean Hub blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: The Sea and Tsitsikamma |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research in ocean art, culture and heritage aims to surface and provide an outlet for the views of those groups that are generally under-represented in more traditional approaches to ocean science and management. This research programme will provide sources of customary law for analysis under the legal programme (Ocean Governance) and insights into traditional knowledge and livelihoods to inform all research themes. This programme is supported by a "Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund" to commission artistic responses that capture evolving challenges to ocean management, the ocean's multiple contributions to human wellbeing, and Hub findings. The Deep Fund is administered by the University of Strathclyde as lead partners in the One Ocean Hub project. This project "The Sea and Tsitsikamma: cultural heritage and meaning of the sea for the people of Tsitsikamma" was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021, and is led by Rhodes University, South Africa. In this project Rhodes University explores the historical and cultural centrality of the ocean to the people of Tsitsikamma, a diverse set of communities situated within the marine and terrestrial protected Garden Route National Park located on South Africa's southern coast. The project seeks to expose intergenerational bonds, knowledge and values attached to the sea. Trough digital storytelling the project reveals personal narratives, and cultural heritage mapping with 11 villages shared communal meanings of place. Plays by three secondary schools examined the experiences of youth who are often omitted from dialogue and debates regarding ocean policy and governance. The project seeks to engage with government officials who make decisions about the marine protected areas and park management agencies, as well as tourists of these area. The aim in engaging these audiences in to engage with them on the different values attached to the sea as well as the cultural and historical importance of these spaces, to inform future management decisions. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University, University of Cape Coast, University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific. The contributions of Rhodes University (which is one of the research partners under the Hub) include: digital stories; cultural mapping; and children's summer school. Dr Lisa McDonald at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is providing extensive project management including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has, and continues to, develop strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Stuart Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous knowledge systems, practices and heritage to effective ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are producing a digital exhibition, open-access book co-authored with DEEP Fund collaborators, journal articles and conference papers to convey research findings. A programme of forthcoming engagement activities is being co-developed with DEEP Fund collaborators to share artistic outputs at national, regional and international levels. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald's work will provide a conduit through which DEEP Fund project outputs can inform wider Hub research in partner countries. Together with other Hub researchers from law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring on how arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies contribute to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Deep Fund team has now been integrated in the Hub's International Impact Working Group to advance inter-disciplinary collaborations to embed learning in relevant international policy processes, as well as in the UN Decade for Ocean Science. Rhodes University is an active member of the South Africa country team and the Coastal Justice Network, so they are well positioned to advance inter-disciplinary linkages with other Hub research. |
| Impact | The project seeks to engage with Government officials who make decisions about the marine protected areas and park management agencies, as well as tourists of these area. The aim in engaging these audiences in to engage with them on the different values attached to the sea as well as the cultural and historical importance of these spaces, to inform future management decisions. Outputs from this partnership include: Outputs produced: Digital storytelling workshops Children's summer school and associated exhibition One Ocean Hub blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: The Sea and Tsitsikamma |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research in ocean art, culture and heritage aims to surface and provide an outlet for the views of those groups that are generally under-represented in more traditional approaches to ocean science and management. This research programme will provide sources of customary law for analysis under the legal programme (Ocean Governance) and insights into traditional knowledge and livelihoods to inform all research themes. This programme is supported by a "Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund" to commission artistic responses that capture evolving challenges to ocean management, the ocean's multiple contributions to human wellbeing, and Hub findings. The Deep Fund is administered by the University of Strathclyde as lead partners in the One Ocean Hub project. This project "The Sea and Tsitsikamma: cultural heritage and meaning of the sea for the people of Tsitsikamma" was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021, and is led by Rhodes University, South Africa. In this project Rhodes University explores the historical and cultural centrality of the ocean to the people of Tsitsikamma, a diverse set of communities situated within the marine and terrestrial protected Garden Route National Park located on South Africa's southern coast. The project seeks to expose intergenerational bonds, knowledge and values attached to the sea. Trough digital storytelling the project reveals personal narratives, and cultural heritage mapping with 11 villages shared communal meanings of place. Plays by three secondary schools examined the experiences of youth who are often omitted from dialogue and debates regarding ocean policy and governance. The project seeks to engage with government officials who make decisions about the marine protected areas and park management agencies, as well as tourists of these area. The aim in engaging these audiences in to engage with them on the different values attached to the sea as well as the cultural and historical importance of these spaces, to inform future management decisions. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University, University of Cape Coast, University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific. The contributions of Rhodes University (which is one of the research partners under the Hub) include: digital stories; cultural mapping; and children's summer school. Dr Lisa McDonald at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is providing extensive project management including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has, and continues to, develop strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Stuart Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous knowledge systems, practices and heritage to effective ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are producing a digital exhibition, open-access book co-authored with DEEP Fund collaborators, journal articles and conference papers to convey research findings. A programme of forthcoming engagement activities is being co-developed with DEEP Fund collaborators to share artistic outputs at national, regional and international levels. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald's work will provide a conduit through which DEEP Fund project outputs can inform wider Hub research in partner countries. Together with other Hub researchers from law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring on how arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies contribute to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Deep Fund team has now been integrated in the Hub's International Impact Working Group to advance inter-disciplinary collaborations to embed learning in relevant international policy processes, as well as in the UN Decade for Ocean Science. Rhodes University is an active member of the South Africa country team and the Coastal Justice Network, so they are well positioned to advance inter-disciplinary linkages with other Hub research. |
| Impact | The project seeks to engage with Government officials who make decisions about the marine protected areas and park management agencies, as well as tourists of these area. The aim in engaging these audiences in to engage with them on the different values attached to the sea as well as the cultural and historical importance of these spaces, to inform future management decisions. Outputs from this partnership include: Outputs produced: Digital storytelling workshops Children's summer school and associated exhibition One Ocean Hub blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa Deep Fund Project: The Sea and Tsitsikamma |
| Organisation | University of the South Pacific, Laucala |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research in ocean art, culture and heritage aims to surface and provide an outlet for the views of those groups that are generally under-represented in more traditional approaches to ocean science and management. This research programme will provide sources of customary law for analysis under the legal programme (Ocean Governance) and insights into traditional knowledge and livelihoods to inform all research themes. This programme is supported by a "Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund" to commission artistic responses that capture evolving challenges to ocean management, the ocean's multiple contributions to human wellbeing, and Hub findings. The Deep Fund is administered by the University of Strathclyde as lead partners in the One Ocean Hub project. This project "The Sea and Tsitsikamma: cultural heritage and meaning of the sea for the people of Tsitsikamma" was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021, and is led by Rhodes University, South Africa. In this project Rhodes University explores the historical and cultural centrality of the ocean to the people of Tsitsikamma, a diverse set of communities situated within the marine and terrestrial protected Garden Route National Park located on South Africa's southern coast. The project seeks to expose intergenerational bonds, knowledge and values attached to the sea. Trough digital storytelling the project reveals personal narratives, and cultural heritage mapping with 11 villages shared communal meanings of place. Plays by three secondary schools examined the experiences of youth who are often omitted from dialogue and debates regarding ocean policy and governance. The project seeks to engage with government officials who make decisions about the marine protected areas and park management agencies, as well as tourists of these area. The aim in engaging these audiences in to engage with them on the different values attached to the sea as well as the cultural and historical importance of these spaces, to inform future management decisions. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University, University of Cape Coast, University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific. The contributions of Rhodes University (which is one of the research partners under the Hub) include: digital stories; cultural mapping; and children's summer school. Dr Lisa McDonald at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is providing extensive project management including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has, and continues to, develop strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Stuart Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous knowledge systems, practices and heritage to effective ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are producing a digital exhibition, open-access book co-authored with DEEP Fund collaborators, journal articles and conference papers to convey research findings. A programme of forthcoming engagement activities is being co-developed with DEEP Fund collaborators to share artistic outputs at national, regional and international levels. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald's work will provide a conduit through which DEEP Fund project outputs can inform wider Hub research in partner countries. Together with other Hub researchers from law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring on how arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies contribute to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Deep Fund team has now been integrated in the Hub's International Impact Working Group to advance inter-disciplinary collaborations to embed learning in relevant international policy processes, as well as in the UN Decade for Ocean Science. Rhodes University is an active member of the South Africa country team and the Coastal Justice Network, so they are well positioned to advance inter-disciplinary linkages with other Hub research. |
| Impact | The project seeks to engage with Government officials who make decisions about the marine protected areas and park management agencies, as well as tourists of these area. The aim in engaging these audiences in to engage with them on the different values attached to the sea as well as the cultural and historical importance of these spaces, to inform future management decisions. Outputs from this partnership include: Outputs produced: Digital storytelling workshops Children's summer school and associated exhibition One Ocean Hub blog post: https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | South African National Biodiversity Institute |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | United Nations (UN) |
| Department | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Country | Kenya |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | University of Education, Winneba |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance |
| Organisation | University of the West Indies |
| Country | Barbados |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub brings together scholars from 21 research institutions across 10 countries, with expertise in multiple disciplines including law, marine science, social sciences, arts, humanities, and development studies. In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was approached by the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) to develop/share a series of online content and co-organize joint events to reach out to the ocean community during the COVID-19 emergency. It was considered that these events represented an exciting opportunity not to only to establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally, but also to advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN bodies and non-governmental partners across the world. In response to this invitation, the Hub developed a series of online sessions which, in partnership with UNDOALOS, sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries. The purpose of these sessions was to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and better understand opportunities to contribute to the ocean science-policy interface. The programme of events included eight webinars (listed under 'outputs'), led by Hub researchers from: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Rhodes University; University of Plymouth; University of Strathclyde; University of Cape Coast; University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University; University of Cape Town; University of West Indies; University of Edinburgh; Heriot Watt University. In 2021 Hub researchers contributed to four capacity building sessions on (1) Ocean Science, (2) Science-Policy Interface, (3) Data challenge, and (4) Challenge to integration of science in governance process for the UNDOALOS second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." Hub researchers from Nelson Mandela University, University of Plymouth, University of Edinburgh; and University of South Pacific contributed as experts and discussion chair in these capacity building sessions. In 2022 the UNDOALOS and the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated with the Hub in a number of joint activities for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Climate COP27 in Egypt. Furthermore, this collaboration supported the Hub in becoming a partner of the UN World Ocean Week celebrations since 2020. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, in partnership with UNDOLAOS and its Nippon Programme, the One Ocean Hub delivered a training session on to the 2023 cohort of UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera and Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation and exchanged ideas with 14 2023 UN-Nippon Fellows from 13 countries. The UN-Nippon fellowship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. It targeted government officials and representatives of civil society and research organisations working in ocean affairs from over 80 low-and-middle-income countries. Many Nippon Fellows also participated in the side-events co-organized by the Hub, Peace Boat, Oceanic Global and the UNDOALOS on the 7-9 June 2024 in New York, to highlight the contributions of the Hub's arts-based participatory research to ocean governance (these are reported under a separate entry "Building alliances on ocean, climate and youth") This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Rhodes University, South Africa; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Education, Ghana; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; University of Edinburgh, UK; Heriot Watt University, UK. • partner organisations based in Global South: South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa; UN Environment Programme, Kenya. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Division for Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, France. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global North: US; Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), UK; Peace Boat, US; Blue Planet Alliance, US; Oceanic Global, US. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS), which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. During the COVID19 pandemic, UNDOALOS refocused its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni as virtual events. In doing so, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to develop a programme of webinar-based learning seminars and training sessions to be delivered in an adapted virtual format. The seminars aimed at providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub, as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). In 2020 the Hub led a series of 12 seminars under the 'current and specialised ocean-related' theme, ranging from the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface (see full programme here: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf ). In 2021, UNDOALOS launched its second online activities namely "UN-Nippon Foundation (UNNF) Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability." This pilot series is part of the 2021 UNNF Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK), Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific, Fiji) provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25 March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15 April 2021, Giulia La Bianca (University of Plymouth, UK) was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK). On 20 May 2021 Hub early career researchers Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh, UK chaired the capacity building session "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional process" for the UN-Nippon Alumni. In 2022, UNDOALOS invited the Hub to provide experts as speakers for the UN World Ocean Day main event (8 June 2022). UNDOALOS senior official who coordinated the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, Ms Valentina Germani, noted that "All the One Ocean Hub' capacity building events for the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellows and Alumni have been very inclusive, including in terms of the number of female speakers. This is quite remarkable and inspiring, as I am well aware of the current challenges in achieving gender equality in ocean sciences and policy. The One Ocean Hub's leadership in promoting gender equality is an important contribution to address this challenge." Throughout 2022 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni has also taken part in the Customary Law of the Sea Seminar Series and the High-Level event that the Hub co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to celebrate the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture as speaker and attendee. In addition, at the 2022 Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UNDOALOS, UN-Nippon Fellows and the Hub have further collaborated in co-organising a side-event titled "Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities" at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Capacity Building Hub (https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/). The event was led by the UNDOALOS in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub, Group of Experts for the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation, Nia Tero Foundation, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna and the Alliance of Small Islands States. The Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) represented the Hub at the event and highlighted the need of capacity building in Low-Middle-Income-Countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable ocean governance. The event was aimed to (1) increase understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels; (2) increase understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities; and (3) capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes. Under this partnership, the Hub hosted and Hub Director Elisa Morgera mentored four UN-Nippon Fellows to focus on critical themes for sustainable and inclusive ocean governance: • Lysa Wini, Solomon Islands (2020), then became a Hub PhD researcher (Strathclyde in-kind contribution) and contributes to a variety of international knowledge-exchange initiatives under the Hub. • Oghenekome Anthonia Adhekpukoli (Nigeria; 2021 virtual) on the BBNJ Agreement and regional seas conventions; • Christian Manepolo (in-person, 2022), a staff at the Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology of Solomon Islands, on community-based ocean governance in the Solomon Islands; and • Racheal Gideon Mwikali (Kenya, 2023) on gender equality in small-scale fisheries in Kenya. In particular, the two UN-Nippon Fellows from the Solomon Islands allowed to contribute some research in a Least Developed Countries, despite the budget cuts to the Hub. In 2023, during the 2023 UN World Oceans Week, the Hub shared insights on Hub research on "Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research" with representatives of governments, NGOs, and regional organisations from 14 different low-middle-income countries participating in the UN-Nippon Fellowship programme. This event further strengthened the Hub's collaboration with the UNDOALOS, particularly in terms of international capacity building. The Hub also collaborated with the a senior official at the Office of the Legal Affairs of the United Nations (Gender Lead of the UNDOALOS), Ms Valentina Germani in co-organising a panel titled "Gender-Transformative Approaches to Environmental Protection: Women, girls, and the ocean" on 14 September 2023 for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. The Hub's collaboration and engagement with GNHRE and UNEP for the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment is reported under a separate entry titled "PROTECTING THE OCEAN WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT." In October 2023, UNDOALOS has appointed Hub early-career researcher Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK) and other Hub researchers Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji), and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. The Regular Process is a global mechanism established by States after the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development that is accountable to the UN General Assembly. It aims to regularly review the environmental, economic and social aspects of the state of the world's oceans to contribute to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking. On 12-13 December 2023, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Philile Mbatha, University of Strathclyde, UK and researcher, Dr Sian Rees, University of Plymouth, UK, were invited to attend the "International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface" that was co-organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (More information here: https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium). The collaboration "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" has delivered societal impacts by raising awareness and advancing knowledge, skills and capacity of 104,187 government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international organisations, students, academics, and general public on various thematic issues (e.g. gender, climate change, small-scale fisheries) related to fair and inclusive ocean governance, reaching at least 110 UN member countries. The partnership has also promoted gender equality. It is estimated that on average 55 per cent of capacity building sessions, webinars and events organised as part of the Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance" were attended by female participants. This speaks to the interest of women on ocean science and governance and the need to invest on capacity building for women in this sector. Disciplines involved: law, history, politics, arts, sociology, anthropology, fisheries science, marine science. |
| Impact | Through World Oceans Week 2020, the Hub organised and hosted 12 unique events, these are listed below and hyperlinked to the recording of each event. These events were attended by 936 participants. • Art for the Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_RAlDE4Es • Blue Economy: Global Trends, Local Challenges, and International Investment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzHbcUn9c4 • Breaking Laws on the Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmP-7hZO8U • Customary Laws of the Sea and the Legacy of Colonisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLbzn-lQV0E • Indlela yokuphila (the path of life): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAy0RDSido0 • Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Marine Plastics: Online Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtMBT8hL2E • Marine Science-Policy Interface Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD6SshGuhyw • Navigating Ocean Literacy and Sustainability in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXxrxSaiZw • Studying the Sea - Accessing Ocean Research Careers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwc_wTwsJ4 • Transdisciplinary Research to the Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6VlhuW82s • Wonders of the Deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUJvqPB6is In 2020 programme of capacity building, a series of eight webinars were produced for UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni. These webinars were attended by 345 attendees: • Covid-19 Impacts on the South African Small Scale Fisheries Sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Understanding marine science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRnJj4ckas • Understanding social science and the ocean science policy interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoYS0C_au4 • Gender Mainstreaming in the Ocean: promoting equality, including in the context of Covid-19 recovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxETnwaWIWU • Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5U4On_lZsk • Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE These videos are now used as reference materials for new capacity-building initiatives and resources led by UNDOALOS. In 2021 programme of capacity building, Hub researchers contributed to four sessions for UN-Nippon Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability that was attended by 140 participants. See the blogpost summarising the Hub contributions here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 sessions where Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers participated as experts. • "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021 session where Professor Jeremy Hills provided expert views. • "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" on 15th April 2021 that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner and attended by Giulia La Bianca. • "Challenges relating to the integration of science into governance/institutional processe"s on 20th May 2021 sessions that were moderated by Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Kelsey Barnhill, University of Edinburgh Recordings of these events are not made available to public. In 2022 the Hub, UNDOALOS, and UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni collaborated on a series of five online events for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the UN World Oceans Day attended by 270 participants. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU. • Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, 6 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6 • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7 June 2022. Recording available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 In June 2023, the Hub, UNDOALOS, Peace Boat, Blue Planet Alliance, and Oceanic Global co-organised five in-person events in New York to celebrate the UN World Ocean Day 2023 attended by 111 persons: • Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making, 7 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa, 9 June 2023 at 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York. • One Ocean Hub and UN-Nippon Fellows meeting 'Prototyping integrated and inclusive ocean governance through art- and human rights-based research', 9 June 2023, at the UN Headquarters, New York. The UNDOALOS also invited the One Ocean Hub to speak at the official UN World Oceans Day event at the UN Headquarters, New York. The event was attended by 350 in-person attendees and 102,000 online attendees, reaching 110 UN member states. • Mpume Mthombeni's talk at the official UN World Ocean Day celebration, 9 June 2023 titled "Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs" at the UN Headquarters, New York in national and international policy development. Recording available from here: https://unworldoceansday.org and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU. In September 2023, the Hub and UNDOALOS co-organised the following webinar for the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School attended by 38 participants: • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). Blogposts: • Advancing ocean governance research in the Solomon Islands through the UN-Nippon Fellowship Programme, https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-ocean-governance-research-in-the-solomon-islands-through-the-un-nippon-fellowship-programme/. • Hub researchers contributed to the UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-ocean-sustainability/. • Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN Regular Process on the Marine Environment, https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-environment/ • Mthombeni M. (2023). "I took my ancestors to the United Nations and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: the Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nations-world-ocean-week/. • One Ocean Hub. (2023). "Empatheatre performance 'Lalela Ulwandle' sparked conversation around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week." Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-governance-during-un-celebrations-of-world-oceans-week/. Book chapters • Chapter 2: When ancestors are included in ocean and decision-making Publication authored by D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking with Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities. Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://www.routledge.com/Hydrofeminist-Thinking-With-Oceans-Political-and-Scholarly-Possibilities/Shefer-Bozalek-Romano/p/book/9781032408996. • Chapter 12: Grandmothers of the sea: Stories and lessons from five Xhosa ocean elders Publication authored by B Francis and D McGarry (2023) in Hydrofeminist Thinking With Oceans Political and Scholarly Possibilities Edited By Tamara Shefer, Vivienne Bozalek, Nike Romano. Routledge. Available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/grandmothers-of-the-sea-stories-and-lessons-from-five-xhosa-ocean-elders/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Strengthening synergies across Sustainable Development Goals |
| Organisation | European Union |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research focuses on identifying actions that support synergies between SDG14 and other SDGs, to foster policy coherence (SDG 17) and protect human rights (SDG 16) (https://bit.ly/3McMOoq, https://bit.ly/42SqveQ, https://bit.ly/3WaeIWW) and increase funding for SDG 14 that provides co-benefits for other SDGs (https://bit.ly/3OddFDC; https://bit.ly/3o2Ffcb ). The One Ocean Hub advocates for governments and the private sector to invest more in ocean action through climate finance, development cooperation finance and sustainable blue economy finance mechanisms, and prioritise transdisciplinary ocean research as a necessary and innovative path for the co-development of transformative and equitable ocean-climate solutions with Indigenous and local knowledge holders, ocean-dependent communities, women and children. UNDP was an original project partner of the Hub, with an initial focus on marine genetic resources. As the timing of that area of activity of UNDP and the relevant research of the Hub were not aligned due to funding pressures at UNDP side, the Hub explored other areas of partnership with UNDP. In January 2023, the Hub began a collaboration with UNDP's Oslo Governance Centre and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16, to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. The Hub contributed to the UNDP's study on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16 through participation in the Analyst and Reference Group of the study. Hub researchers collaborated on the study as part of the Analyst Group, who reviewed literature relevant to the study, using UNDP-tested coding protocol (Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, University of the West Indies, Barbados; Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, UK, and Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, UK). In addition, Hub researchers were included in the Reference Group, who reviewed the initial findings and the final study (Professor Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde, U.K.) and Professor Jeremy Hills, (University of South Pacific, Fiji). The Hub's collaboration with UNDP continued in 2023 to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to deliver a keynote speech during the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC) on how human rights and biodiversity are connected and how can this help us improve our understanding on advancing the protection of the human right to a healthy environment. Morgera provided recommendations to UNDP and other organisations in the UN System to build capacity to apply human rights to clarify the minimum conduct required from States in implementing international environmental law, to ensure protection of biodiversity (including marine biodiversity) and human rights, and put in place procedural guarantees including effective national laws and access to remedies. Read more about Morgera's key recommendations at the UNDP Annual Meeting in this blogpost that available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. In the later part of 2023, Hub research on the relevance of the human right to a healthy environment to contribute to the protection of marine biodiversity and ocean health has increasingly contributed to discussions on business responsibility to respect human rights. In August to November 2023, Morgera provided advice to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on the development of its draft guidance on business due diligence and the environment (Read more here: https://www.undp.org/rolhr/consultation-hrddpluse and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/). In December 2023, Hub researchers, Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) were invited speakers at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue." The event was co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia. It was held in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. Focusing on nine community-based art projects carried out under the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund, Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage and ocean governance (https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund/). Jeffrey and McDonald also explained how the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently overlook the importance of culture at the session. Read more about key messages shared by Hub researchers at the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Global Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing Project, Switzerland; United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United States The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • partner organisation based in Global South: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic & Island States Forum, Jakarta. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Oslo Governance Centre, Norway; German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany; UN Development Programme (UNDP) Rule of Law and Human Rights, Switzerland; European Union, Belgium. |
| Collaborator Contribution | In January 2023, the UNDP invited the One Ocean to collaborate on UNDP led study on the interlinkages between SDG14 (life below water) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. UNDP together with the German Institute for Development and Sustainability have developed a methodology to systematically examine interlinkages that exist between SDG 16 (governance) and other SDGs through a scoping literature review. The approach was first applied to investigate interlinkages between SDG 16, SDG 1 (poverty reduction) and SDG 10 (inequality reduction). See the resulting study and short video here: https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/oslo/publications/connections-matter-how-quality-governance-institutions-may-be-booster-shot-we-need-reduce-poverty-and-inequality; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKDhzwIAQTo). UNDP and German Institute for Development and Sustainability were using the same approach to study how progress on key aspects of SDG 16 affects progress on key aspects of SDG 14. One Ocean Hub researchers that have been invited to collaborate in the study include: • Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Prof Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific) as part of a reference group, which will review initial findings and the final study. • Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK), and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) as part of the analyst group that will review papers relevant to the study, using UNDP tested coding protocol. The study provided a great opportunity to deepen the Hub's own reflection on SDG synergies from an ocean research and governance perspective and its various streams of research on human rights as an essential pre-condition for justice and strong institutions. The report of the study titled Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? was published by the UNDP on 23 March 2023. The publication can be accessed from here: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf. In 2023 UNDP continued to collaborate with the Hub to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. In June 2023, UNDP invited Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera to provide her inputs on the interlinkages between human rights and biodiversity at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC; https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). The UNDP Annual Meeting serves as a virtual forum to enable exchange on the current development context in relation to the rule of law, human rights, justice and security. One session was devoted to the human right to a healthy environment to identify ways to work across human rights and environmental disciplines, to protect both the environment and the people who depend on it. The video recording of the event can be found on UNDP YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCagCOAfZBpsTOlAJq_vcWbw). The session included among the speakers Pichamon Yeophantong, Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, to which the Hub recently made a submission (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) on the need to protect human rights in the context of just transition through blue economies. Key messages shared by Morgera at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights include: • The full enjoyment of human rights (life, health, food, water, culture) depends on biodiversity and ecosystem services from the microbial level to planetary health (including the role of marine biodiversity in the protection of oxygen, global carbon cycle and global water cycles, and climate regulation), with particular impacts on Indigenous Peoples, small-scale fishers, women and children. • The implication of the recognition in science and in international law about the inter-dependence of biodiversity and human rights is that no unjustified, foreseeable infringements of human rights should arise from decisions on biodiversity. She emphasised that in this connection more attention needs to be placed on the ocean-climate nexus and the blue economy (marine renewables, offshore oil and gas; deep-seabed mining; fisheries and ocean plastic). • There is a pressing need to develop training programmes (for judges, national human rights institutions, environmental assessment experts) on human rights as a proactive tool for system thinking and capacity-building to cooperate across different sectors to apply both the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/) As a follow up to the UNDP-Hub collaboration to advance human right to a healthy environment, in the second part of 2023 UNDP invited Morgera in a series of meetings to discuss the development of UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence. Following the initial meeting in the third week of August 2023 the UNDP shared on 5 September 2023 the preliminary draft of the "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" and requested Morgera to provide feedback on the document by 15 September 2023 and meet with the UNDP representatives on 18 September 2023 to discuss her feedback in detail. Prof Morgera inputs to the UNDP's "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" document focus on the following key points: • The UNDP needs to be cautious against giving the impression that no/ little significant work has been done on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and environmental human rights until now. While the UNGPs themselves do not mention the environment, all the relevant UN Special Rapporteurs (Indigenous Peoples, Toxics, Environment) have clarified that business due diligence, according to the UNGPs, also extends to environmental human rights since the adoption of the UNGPs. Morgera advised UNDP to refer to the 2018 UN Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment in this connection. • In term of Indigenous Peoples and other ecosystem-dependent communities, there are more specific human rights/biodiversity standards that need to be reflected in the UNDP's guidance, namely free prior informed consent and fair and equitable benefit-sharing. It is essential to add these standards and include the general references to minimising negative impacts because benefit-sharing calls for the co-identification of positive impacts on human rights when Indigenous Peoples or ecosystem-dependent communities may be involved in a proposed development. • The need for the UNDP's guidance to provide an explanation on traditional knowledge that are not explained/introduced in the guidance as the intended audience might not be aware of this concept. • For the UNDP to incorporate specific examples and extracts from the new UN General Comment No.26 on Children's Rights and a Healthy Environment (particularly for questions related to identifying the most vulnerable human rights holders, and also considering longer time frames of potential impacts). The General Comment No.26 contains specific language on business responsibility to respect children's right to a healthy environment. • In terms of examples of salient human rights and environmental issues by businesses, Morgera recommends the UNDP to summarise some key national or international human rights cases or specific recommendations in country reports by UN Special Rapporteurs in which these issues have been identified. UNDP continued to seek Hub's expertise to strengthen synergies between SDG 14 and other SDGs in late 2023. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, invited Hub researchers including Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) to speak at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue" in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. The AIS Forum is a platform that brings together 51 archipelagic and island nations to collectively address usage of ocean resources for sustainable economic growth, climate change resiliency, ocean pollution elimination, emergency management, and the enhancement of sustainable fisheries. The event was attended by over 100 participants including students, academics, government officials and representatives of UNDP. During the session Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage ocean governance, and climate change. Key messages that they shared included: • The importance of working with communities and grassroot organisations to address sustainability challenges given their local knowledge and networks. • The centrality of the ocean to diverse worldviews and cultural wellbeing. • That currently the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) overlook the importance of culture, was also discussed here. • That loss and damage caused by climate change should also be viewed from a cultural perspective. Climate change destroys lives, livelihoods, culture, traditions and heritage. The Hub is continuing the dialogue with UNDP, particularly as a follow up to the UNDP AIS event in November 2023. The UNDP AIS Forum has invited to Hub to collaborate in co-developing capacity building programme for the implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction in the Pacific that the UNDP will co-organise with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. The capacity building programme is funded by the European Union and is planned to take place in mid or later part of 2024. The Agreement is also known as the High Seas Treaty and is available from here: https://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/2023/06/20230620%2004-28%20PM/Ch_XXI_10.pdf. This collaboration has brought demonstrable impacts to policy & public services. One Ocean Hub's partnership with the UNDP informs the UNDP's policy and practices on the need to protect human rights, including human right to culture, in the context of just transition through blue economies. In 2023 One Ocean Hub's inputs influenced the development of two UNDP's policy documents including: - "Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean?" that reframe our understanding on the interconnection between SDG 14 and other SDGs; and - "UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence" to equip businesses with practical advice, experiences, and insights to get started or build on existing efforts to carry out effective human rights due diligence in the context of the triple planetary crisis. - The Hub's collaboration with UNDP in 2024 for the implementation of the High Seas Treaty will also potentially contribute to capacity building through technical and personal skill development of government officials based in 14 small islands developing states (SIDS) including Niue, Cook Islands, Palau, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. |
| Impact | Report UN Development Programme. (2023). Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf Blogposts Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, "Celebrating the 2023 International Day of Peace through contributions of ocean governance to the Sustainable Development Goals," 23 October 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-2023-international-day-of-peace-through/ One Ocean Hub, "Collaborating with UNDP on SDG 14-16 synergies," 31 January 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/collaborating-with-undp-on-sdg-14-16-synergies/ 2023 One Ocean Hub, "Reflecting on the role of the UN in supporting the human right to a healthy environment," 4 July 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ One Ocean Hub, "Clarifying business responsibility to respect the human right to a healthy ocean," 13 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/ Senia Febrica and Lisa McDonald, "Hub highlights connections between art, culture, heritage and ocean governance at UNDP Archipelagic and Island States event," 14 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/ |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Strengthening synergies across Sustainable Development Goals |
| Organisation | UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research focuses on identifying actions that support synergies between SDG14 and other SDGs, to foster policy coherence (SDG 17) and protect human rights (SDG 16) (https://bit.ly/3McMOoq, https://bit.ly/42SqveQ, https://bit.ly/3WaeIWW) and increase funding for SDG 14 that provides co-benefits for other SDGs (https://bit.ly/3OddFDC; https://bit.ly/3o2Ffcb ). The One Ocean Hub advocates for governments and the private sector to invest more in ocean action through climate finance, development cooperation finance and sustainable blue economy finance mechanisms, and prioritise transdisciplinary ocean research as a necessary and innovative path for the co-development of transformative and equitable ocean-climate solutions with Indigenous and local knowledge holders, ocean-dependent communities, women and children. UNDP was an original project partner of the Hub, with an initial focus on marine genetic resources. As the timing of that area of activity of UNDP and the relevant research of the Hub were not aligned due to funding pressures at UNDP side, the Hub explored other areas of partnership with UNDP. In January 2023, the Hub began a collaboration with UNDP's Oslo Governance Centre and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16, to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. The Hub contributed to the UNDP's study on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16 through participation in the Analyst and Reference Group of the study. Hub researchers collaborated on the study as part of the Analyst Group, who reviewed literature relevant to the study, using UNDP-tested coding protocol (Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, University of the West Indies, Barbados; Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, UK, and Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, UK). In addition, Hub researchers were included in the Reference Group, who reviewed the initial findings and the final study (Professor Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde, U.K.) and Professor Jeremy Hills, (University of South Pacific, Fiji). The Hub's collaboration with UNDP continued in 2023 to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to deliver a keynote speech during the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC) on how human rights and biodiversity are connected and how can this help us improve our understanding on advancing the protection of the human right to a healthy environment. Morgera provided recommendations to UNDP and other organisations in the UN System to build capacity to apply human rights to clarify the minimum conduct required from States in implementing international environmental law, to ensure protection of biodiversity (including marine biodiversity) and human rights, and put in place procedural guarantees including effective national laws and access to remedies. Read more about Morgera's key recommendations at the UNDP Annual Meeting in this blogpost that available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. In the later part of 2023, Hub research on the relevance of the human right to a healthy environment to contribute to the protection of marine biodiversity and ocean health has increasingly contributed to discussions on business responsibility to respect human rights. In August to November 2023, Morgera provided advice to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on the development of its draft guidance on business due diligence and the environment (Read more here: https://www.undp.org/rolhr/consultation-hrddpluse and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/). In December 2023, Hub researchers, Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) were invited speakers at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue." The event was co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia. It was held in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. Focusing on nine community-based art projects carried out under the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund, Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage and ocean governance (https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund/). Jeffrey and McDonald also explained how the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently overlook the importance of culture at the session. Read more about key messages shared by Hub researchers at the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Global Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing Project, Switzerland; United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United States The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • partner organisation based in Global South: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic & Island States Forum, Jakarta. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Oslo Governance Centre, Norway; German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany; UN Development Programme (UNDP) Rule of Law and Human Rights, Switzerland; European Union, Belgium. |
| Collaborator Contribution | In January 2023, the UNDP invited the One Ocean to collaborate on UNDP led study on the interlinkages between SDG14 (life below water) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. UNDP together with the German Institute for Development and Sustainability have developed a methodology to systematically examine interlinkages that exist between SDG 16 (governance) and other SDGs through a scoping literature review. The approach was first applied to investigate interlinkages between SDG 16, SDG 1 (poverty reduction) and SDG 10 (inequality reduction). See the resulting study and short video here: https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/oslo/publications/connections-matter-how-quality-governance-institutions-may-be-booster-shot-we-need-reduce-poverty-and-inequality; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKDhzwIAQTo). UNDP and German Institute for Development and Sustainability were using the same approach to study how progress on key aspects of SDG 16 affects progress on key aspects of SDG 14. One Ocean Hub researchers that have been invited to collaborate in the study include: • Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Prof Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific) as part of a reference group, which will review initial findings and the final study. • Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK), and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) as part of the analyst group that will review papers relevant to the study, using UNDP tested coding protocol. The study provided a great opportunity to deepen the Hub's own reflection on SDG synergies from an ocean research and governance perspective and its various streams of research on human rights as an essential pre-condition for justice and strong institutions. The report of the study titled Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? was published by the UNDP on 23 March 2023. The publication can be accessed from here: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf. In 2023 UNDP continued to collaborate with the Hub to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. In June 2023, UNDP invited Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera to provide her inputs on the interlinkages between human rights and biodiversity at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC; https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). The UNDP Annual Meeting serves as a virtual forum to enable exchange on the current development context in relation to the rule of law, human rights, justice and security. One session was devoted to the human right to a healthy environment to identify ways to work across human rights and environmental disciplines, to protect both the environment and the people who depend on it. The video recording of the event can be found on UNDP YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCagCOAfZBpsTOlAJq_vcWbw). The session included among the speakers Pichamon Yeophantong, Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, to which the Hub recently made a submission (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) on the need to protect human rights in the context of just transition through blue economies. Key messages shared by Morgera at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights include: • The full enjoyment of human rights (life, health, food, water, culture) depends on biodiversity and ecosystem services from the microbial level to planetary health (including the role of marine biodiversity in the protection of oxygen, global carbon cycle and global water cycles, and climate regulation), with particular impacts on Indigenous Peoples, small-scale fishers, women and children. • The implication of the recognition in science and in international law about the inter-dependence of biodiversity and human rights is that no unjustified, foreseeable infringements of human rights should arise from decisions on biodiversity. She emphasised that in this connection more attention needs to be placed on the ocean-climate nexus and the blue economy (marine renewables, offshore oil and gas; deep-seabed mining; fisheries and ocean plastic). • There is a pressing need to develop training programmes (for judges, national human rights institutions, environmental assessment experts) on human rights as a proactive tool for system thinking and capacity-building to cooperate across different sectors to apply both the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/) As a follow up to the UNDP-Hub collaboration to advance human right to a healthy environment, in the second part of 2023 UNDP invited Morgera in a series of meetings to discuss the development of UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence. Following the initial meeting in the third week of August 2023 the UNDP shared on 5 September 2023 the preliminary draft of the "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" and requested Morgera to provide feedback on the document by 15 September 2023 and meet with the UNDP representatives on 18 September 2023 to discuss her feedback in detail. Prof Morgera inputs to the UNDP's "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" document focus on the following key points: • The UNDP needs to be cautious against giving the impression that no/ little significant work has been done on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and environmental human rights until now. While the UNGPs themselves do not mention the environment, all the relevant UN Special Rapporteurs (Indigenous Peoples, Toxics, Environment) have clarified that business due diligence, according to the UNGPs, also extends to environmental human rights since the adoption of the UNGPs. Morgera advised UNDP to refer to the 2018 UN Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment in this connection. • In term of Indigenous Peoples and other ecosystem-dependent communities, there are more specific human rights/biodiversity standards that need to be reflected in the UNDP's guidance, namely free prior informed consent and fair and equitable benefit-sharing. It is essential to add these standards and include the general references to minimising negative impacts because benefit-sharing calls for the co-identification of positive impacts on human rights when Indigenous Peoples or ecosystem-dependent communities may be involved in a proposed development. • The need for the UNDP's guidance to provide an explanation on traditional knowledge that are not explained/introduced in the guidance as the intended audience might not be aware of this concept. • For the UNDP to incorporate specific examples and extracts from the new UN General Comment No.26 on Children's Rights and a Healthy Environment (particularly for questions related to identifying the most vulnerable human rights holders, and also considering longer time frames of potential impacts). The General Comment No.26 contains specific language on business responsibility to respect children's right to a healthy environment. • In terms of examples of salient human rights and environmental issues by businesses, Morgera recommends the UNDP to summarise some key national or international human rights cases or specific recommendations in country reports by UN Special Rapporteurs in which these issues have been identified. UNDP continued to seek Hub's expertise to strengthen synergies between SDG 14 and other SDGs in late 2023. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, invited Hub researchers including Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) to speak at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue" in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. The AIS Forum is a platform that brings together 51 archipelagic and island nations to collectively address usage of ocean resources for sustainable economic growth, climate change resiliency, ocean pollution elimination, emergency management, and the enhancement of sustainable fisheries. The event was attended by over 100 participants including students, academics, government officials and representatives of UNDP. During the session Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage ocean governance, and climate change. Key messages that they shared included: • The importance of working with communities and grassroot organisations to address sustainability challenges given their local knowledge and networks. • The centrality of the ocean to diverse worldviews and cultural wellbeing. • That currently the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) overlook the importance of culture, was also discussed here. • That loss and damage caused by climate change should also be viewed from a cultural perspective. Climate change destroys lives, livelihoods, culture, traditions and heritage. The Hub is continuing the dialogue with UNDP, particularly as a follow up to the UNDP AIS event in November 2023. The UNDP AIS Forum has invited to Hub to collaborate in co-developing capacity building programme for the implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction in the Pacific that the UNDP will co-organise with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. The capacity building programme is funded by the European Union and is planned to take place in mid or later part of 2024. The Agreement is also known as the High Seas Treaty and is available from here: https://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/2023/06/20230620%2004-28%20PM/Ch_XXI_10.pdf. This collaboration has brought demonstrable impacts to policy & public services. One Ocean Hub's partnership with the UNDP informs the UNDP's policy and practices on the need to protect human rights, including human right to culture, in the context of just transition through blue economies. In 2023 One Ocean Hub's inputs influenced the development of two UNDP's policy documents including: - "Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean?" that reframe our understanding on the interconnection between SDG 14 and other SDGs; and - "UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence" to equip businesses with practical advice, experiences, and insights to get started or build on existing efforts to carry out effective human rights due diligence in the context of the triple planetary crisis. - The Hub's collaboration with UNDP in 2024 for the implementation of the High Seas Treaty will also potentially contribute to capacity building through technical and personal skill development of government officials based in 14 small islands developing states (SIDS) including Niue, Cook Islands, Palau, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. |
| Impact | Report UN Development Programme. (2023). Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf Blogposts Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, "Celebrating the 2023 International Day of Peace through contributions of ocean governance to the Sustainable Development Goals," 23 October 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-2023-international-day-of-peace-through/ One Ocean Hub, "Collaborating with UNDP on SDG 14-16 synergies," 31 January 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/collaborating-with-undp-on-sdg-14-16-synergies/ 2023 One Ocean Hub, "Reflecting on the role of the UN in supporting the human right to a healthy environment," 4 July 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ One Ocean Hub, "Clarifying business responsibility to respect the human right to a healthy ocean," 13 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/ Senia Febrica and Lisa McDonald, "Hub highlights connections between art, culture, heritage and ocean governance at UNDP Archipelagic and Island States event," 14 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/ |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Strengthening synergies across Sustainable Development Goals |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research focuses on identifying actions that support synergies between SDG14 and other SDGs, to foster policy coherence (SDG 17) and protect human rights (SDG 16) (https://bit.ly/3McMOoq, https://bit.ly/42SqveQ, https://bit.ly/3WaeIWW) and increase funding for SDG 14 that provides co-benefits for other SDGs (https://bit.ly/3OddFDC; https://bit.ly/3o2Ffcb ). The One Ocean Hub advocates for governments and the private sector to invest more in ocean action through climate finance, development cooperation finance and sustainable blue economy finance mechanisms, and prioritise transdisciplinary ocean research as a necessary and innovative path for the co-development of transformative and equitable ocean-climate solutions with Indigenous and local knowledge holders, ocean-dependent communities, women and children. UNDP was an original project partner of the Hub, with an initial focus on marine genetic resources. As the timing of that area of activity of UNDP and the relevant research of the Hub were not aligned due to funding pressures at UNDP side, the Hub explored other areas of partnership with UNDP. In January 2023, the Hub began a collaboration with UNDP's Oslo Governance Centre and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16, to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. The Hub contributed to the UNDP's study on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16 through participation in the Analyst and Reference Group of the study. Hub researchers collaborated on the study as part of the Analyst Group, who reviewed literature relevant to the study, using UNDP-tested coding protocol (Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, University of the West Indies, Barbados; Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, UK, and Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, UK). In addition, Hub researchers were included in the Reference Group, who reviewed the initial findings and the final study (Professor Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde, U.K.) and Professor Jeremy Hills, (University of South Pacific, Fiji). The Hub's collaboration with UNDP continued in 2023 to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to deliver a keynote speech during the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC) on how human rights and biodiversity are connected and how can this help us improve our understanding on advancing the protection of the human right to a healthy environment. Morgera provided recommendations to UNDP and other organisations in the UN System to build capacity to apply human rights to clarify the minimum conduct required from States in implementing international environmental law, to ensure protection of biodiversity (including marine biodiversity) and human rights, and put in place procedural guarantees including effective national laws and access to remedies. Read more about Morgera's key recommendations at the UNDP Annual Meeting in this blogpost that available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. In the later part of 2023, Hub research on the relevance of the human right to a healthy environment to contribute to the protection of marine biodiversity and ocean health has increasingly contributed to discussions on business responsibility to respect human rights. In August to November 2023, Morgera provided advice to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on the development of its draft guidance on business due diligence and the environment (Read more here: https://www.undp.org/rolhr/consultation-hrddpluse and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/). In December 2023, Hub researchers, Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) were invited speakers at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue." The event was co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia. It was held in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. Focusing on nine community-based art projects carried out under the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund, Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage and ocean governance (https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund/). Jeffrey and McDonald also explained how the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently overlook the importance of culture at the session. Read more about key messages shared by Hub researchers at the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Global Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing Project, Switzerland; United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United States The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • partner organisation based in Global South: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic & Island States Forum, Jakarta. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Oslo Governance Centre, Norway; German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany; UN Development Programme (UNDP) Rule of Law and Human Rights, Switzerland; European Union, Belgium. |
| Collaborator Contribution | In January 2023, the UNDP invited the One Ocean to collaborate on UNDP led study on the interlinkages between SDG14 (life below water) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. UNDP together with the German Institute for Development and Sustainability have developed a methodology to systematically examine interlinkages that exist between SDG 16 (governance) and other SDGs through a scoping literature review. The approach was first applied to investigate interlinkages between SDG 16, SDG 1 (poverty reduction) and SDG 10 (inequality reduction). See the resulting study and short video here: https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/oslo/publications/connections-matter-how-quality-governance-institutions-may-be-booster-shot-we-need-reduce-poverty-and-inequality; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKDhzwIAQTo). UNDP and German Institute for Development and Sustainability were using the same approach to study how progress on key aspects of SDG 16 affects progress on key aspects of SDG 14. One Ocean Hub researchers that have been invited to collaborate in the study include: • Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Prof Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific) as part of a reference group, which will review initial findings and the final study. • Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK), and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) as part of the analyst group that will review papers relevant to the study, using UNDP tested coding protocol. The study provided a great opportunity to deepen the Hub's own reflection on SDG synergies from an ocean research and governance perspective and its various streams of research on human rights as an essential pre-condition for justice and strong institutions. The report of the study titled Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? was published by the UNDP on 23 March 2023. The publication can be accessed from here: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf. In 2023 UNDP continued to collaborate with the Hub to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. In June 2023, UNDP invited Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera to provide her inputs on the interlinkages between human rights and biodiversity at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC; https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). The UNDP Annual Meeting serves as a virtual forum to enable exchange on the current development context in relation to the rule of law, human rights, justice and security. One session was devoted to the human right to a healthy environment to identify ways to work across human rights and environmental disciplines, to protect both the environment and the people who depend on it. The video recording of the event can be found on UNDP YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCagCOAfZBpsTOlAJq_vcWbw). The session included among the speakers Pichamon Yeophantong, Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, to which the Hub recently made a submission (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) on the need to protect human rights in the context of just transition through blue economies. Key messages shared by Morgera at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights include: • The full enjoyment of human rights (life, health, food, water, culture) depends on biodiversity and ecosystem services from the microbial level to planetary health (including the role of marine biodiversity in the protection of oxygen, global carbon cycle and global water cycles, and climate regulation), with particular impacts on Indigenous Peoples, small-scale fishers, women and children. • The implication of the recognition in science and in international law about the inter-dependence of biodiversity and human rights is that no unjustified, foreseeable infringements of human rights should arise from decisions on biodiversity. She emphasised that in this connection more attention needs to be placed on the ocean-climate nexus and the blue economy (marine renewables, offshore oil and gas; deep-seabed mining; fisheries and ocean plastic). • There is a pressing need to develop training programmes (for judges, national human rights institutions, environmental assessment experts) on human rights as a proactive tool for system thinking and capacity-building to cooperate across different sectors to apply both the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/) As a follow up to the UNDP-Hub collaboration to advance human right to a healthy environment, in the second part of 2023 UNDP invited Morgera in a series of meetings to discuss the development of UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence. Following the initial meeting in the third week of August 2023 the UNDP shared on 5 September 2023 the preliminary draft of the "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" and requested Morgera to provide feedback on the document by 15 September 2023 and meet with the UNDP representatives on 18 September 2023 to discuss her feedback in detail. Prof Morgera inputs to the UNDP's "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" document focus on the following key points: • The UNDP needs to be cautious against giving the impression that no/ little significant work has been done on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and environmental human rights until now. While the UNGPs themselves do not mention the environment, all the relevant UN Special Rapporteurs (Indigenous Peoples, Toxics, Environment) have clarified that business due diligence, according to the UNGPs, also extends to environmental human rights since the adoption of the UNGPs. Morgera advised UNDP to refer to the 2018 UN Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment in this connection. • In term of Indigenous Peoples and other ecosystem-dependent communities, there are more specific human rights/biodiversity standards that need to be reflected in the UNDP's guidance, namely free prior informed consent and fair and equitable benefit-sharing. It is essential to add these standards and include the general references to minimising negative impacts because benefit-sharing calls for the co-identification of positive impacts on human rights when Indigenous Peoples or ecosystem-dependent communities may be involved in a proposed development. • The need for the UNDP's guidance to provide an explanation on traditional knowledge that are not explained/introduced in the guidance as the intended audience might not be aware of this concept. • For the UNDP to incorporate specific examples and extracts from the new UN General Comment No.26 on Children's Rights and a Healthy Environment (particularly for questions related to identifying the most vulnerable human rights holders, and also considering longer time frames of potential impacts). The General Comment No.26 contains specific language on business responsibility to respect children's right to a healthy environment. • In terms of examples of salient human rights and environmental issues by businesses, Morgera recommends the UNDP to summarise some key national or international human rights cases or specific recommendations in country reports by UN Special Rapporteurs in which these issues have been identified. UNDP continued to seek Hub's expertise to strengthen synergies between SDG 14 and other SDGs in late 2023. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, invited Hub researchers including Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) to speak at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue" in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. The AIS Forum is a platform that brings together 51 archipelagic and island nations to collectively address usage of ocean resources for sustainable economic growth, climate change resiliency, ocean pollution elimination, emergency management, and the enhancement of sustainable fisheries. The event was attended by over 100 participants including students, academics, government officials and representatives of UNDP. During the session Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage ocean governance, and climate change. Key messages that they shared included: • The importance of working with communities and grassroot organisations to address sustainability challenges given their local knowledge and networks. • The centrality of the ocean to diverse worldviews and cultural wellbeing. • That currently the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) overlook the importance of culture, was also discussed here. • That loss and damage caused by climate change should also be viewed from a cultural perspective. Climate change destroys lives, livelihoods, culture, traditions and heritage. The Hub is continuing the dialogue with UNDP, particularly as a follow up to the UNDP AIS event in November 2023. The UNDP AIS Forum has invited to Hub to collaborate in co-developing capacity building programme for the implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction in the Pacific that the UNDP will co-organise with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. The capacity building programme is funded by the European Union and is planned to take place in mid or later part of 2024. The Agreement is also known as the High Seas Treaty and is available from here: https://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/2023/06/20230620%2004-28%20PM/Ch_XXI_10.pdf. This collaboration has brought demonstrable impacts to policy & public services. One Ocean Hub's partnership with the UNDP informs the UNDP's policy and practices on the need to protect human rights, including human right to culture, in the context of just transition through blue economies. In 2023 One Ocean Hub's inputs influenced the development of two UNDP's policy documents including: - "Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean?" that reframe our understanding on the interconnection between SDG 14 and other SDGs; and - "UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence" to equip businesses with practical advice, experiences, and insights to get started or build on existing efforts to carry out effective human rights due diligence in the context of the triple planetary crisis. - The Hub's collaboration with UNDP in 2024 for the implementation of the High Seas Treaty will also potentially contribute to capacity building through technical and personal skill development of government officials based in 14 small islands developing states (SIDS) including Niue, Cook Islands, Palau, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. |
| Impact | Report UN Development Programme. (2023). Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf Blogposts Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, "Celebrating the 2023 International Day of Peace through contributions of ocean governance to the Sustainable Development Goals," 23 October 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-2023-international-day-of-peace-through/ One Ocean Hub, "Collaborating with UNDP on SDG 14-16 synergies," 31 January 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/collaborating-with-undp-on-sdg-14-16-synergies/ 2023 One Ocean Hub, "Reflecting on the role of the UN in supporting the human right to a healthy environment," 4 July 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ One Ocean Hub, "Clarifying business responsibility to respect the human right to a healthy ocean," 13 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/ Senia Febrica and Lisa McDonald, "Hub highlights connections between art, culture, heritage and ocean governance at UNDP Archipelagic and Island States event," 14 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/ |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Strengthening synergies across Sustainable Development Goals |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research focuses on identifying actions that support synergies between SDG14 and other SDGs, to foster policy coherence (SDG 17) and protect human rights (SDG 16) (https://bit.ly/3McMOoq, https://bit.ly/42SqveQ, https://bit.ly/3WaeIWW) and increase funding for SDG 14 that provides co-benefits for other SDGs (https://bit.ly/3OddFDC; https://bit.ly/3o2Ffcb ). The One Ocean Hub advocates for governments and the private sector to invest more in ocean action through climate finance, development cooperation finance and sustainable blue economy finance mechanisms, and prioritise transdisciplinary ocean research as a necessary and innovative path for the co-development of transformative and equitable ocean-climate solutions with Indigenous and local knowledge holders, ocean-dependent communities, women and children. UNDP was an original project partner of the Hub, with an initial focus on marine genetic resources. As the timing of that area of activity of UNDP and the relevant research of the Hub were not aligned due to funding pressures at UNDP side, the Hub explored other areas of partnership with UNDP. In January 2023, the Hub began a collaboration with UNDP's Oslo Governance Centre and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16, to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. The Hub contributed to the UNDP's study on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16 through participation in the Analyst and Reference Group of the study. Hub researchers collaborated on the study as part of the Analyst Group, who reviewed literature relevant to the study, using UNDP-tested coding protocol (Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, University of the West Indies, Barbados; Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, UK, and Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, UK). In addition, Hub researchers were included in the Reference Group, who reviewed the initial findings and the final study (Professor Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde, U.K.) and Professor Jeremy Hills, (University of South Pacific, Fiji). The Hub's collaboration with UNDP continued in 2023 to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to deliver a keynote speech during the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC) on how human rights and biodiversity are connected and how can this help us improve our understanding on advancing the protection of the human right to a healthy environment. Morgera provided recommendations to UNDP and other organisations in the UN System to build capacity to apply human rights to clarify the minimum conduct required from States in implementing international environmental law, to ensure protection of biodiversity (including marine biodiversity) and human rights, and put in place procedural guarantees including effective national laws and access to remedies. Read more about Morgera's key recommendations at the UNDP Annual Meeting in this blogpost that available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. In the later part of 2023, Hub research on the relevance of the human right to a healthy environment to contribute to the protection of marine biodiversity and ocean health has increasingly contributed to discussions on business responsibility to respect human rights. In August to November 2023, Morgera provided advice to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on the development of its draft guidance on business due diligence and the environment (Read more here: https://www.undp.org/rolhr/consultation-hrddpluse and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/). In December 2023, Hub researchers, Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) were invited speakers at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue." The event was co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia. It was held in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. Focusing on nine community-based art projects carried out under the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund, Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage and ocean governance (https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund/). Jeffrey and McDonald also explained how the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently overlook the importance of culture at the session. Read more about key messages shared by Hub researchers at the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Global Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing Project, Switzerland; United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United States The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • partner organisation based in Global South: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic & Island States Forum, Jakarta. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Oslo Governance Centre, Norway; German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany; UN Development Programme (UNDP) Rule of Law and Human Rights, Switzerland; European Union, Belgium. |
| Collaborator Contribution | In January 2023, the UNDP invited the One Ocean to collaborate on UNDP led study on the interlinkages between SDG14 (life below water) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. UNDP together with the German Institute for Development and Sustainability have developed a methodology to systematically examine interlinkages that exist between SDG 16 (governance) and other SDGs through a scoping literature review. The approach was first applied to investigate interlinkages between SDG 16, SDG 1 (poverty reduction) and SDG 10 (inequality reduction). See the resulting study and short video here: https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/oslo/publications/connections-matter-how-quality-governance-institutions-may-be-booster-shot-we-need-reduce-poverty-and-inequality; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKDhzwIAQTo). UNDP and German Institute for Development and Sustainability were using the same approach to study how progress on key aspects of SDG 16 affects progress on key aspects of SDG 14. One Ocean Hub researchers that have been invited to collaborate in the study include: • Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Prof Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific) as part of a reference group, which will review initial findings and the final study. • Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK), and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) as part of the analyst group that will review papers relevant to the study, using UNDP tested coding protocol. The study provided a great opportunity to deepen the Hub's own reflection on SDG synergies from an ocean research and governance perspective and its various streams of research on human rights as an essential pre-condition for justice and strong institutions. The report of the study titled Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? was published by the UNDP on 23 March 2023. The publication can be accessed from here: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf. In 2023 UNDP continued to collaborate with the Hub to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. In June 2023, UNDP invited Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera to provide her inputs on the interlinkages between human rights and biodiversity at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC; https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). The UNDP Annual Meeting serves as a virtual forum to enable exchange on the current development context in relation to the rule of law, human rights, justice and security. One session was devoted to the human right to a healthy environment to identify ways to work across human rights and environmental disciplines, to protect both the environment and the people who depend on it. The video recording of the event can be found on UNDP YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCagCOAfZBpsTOlAJq_vcWbw). The session included among the speakers Pichamon Yeophantong, Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, to which the Hub recently made a submission (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) on the need to protect human rights in the context of just transition through blue economies. Key messages shared by Morgera at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights include: • The full enjoyment of human rights (life, health, food, water, culture) depends on biodiversity and ecosystem services from the microbial level to planetary health (including the role of marine biodiversity in the protection of oxygen, global carbon cycle and global water cycles, and climate regulation), with particular impacts on Indigenous Peoples, small-scale fishers, women and children. • The implication of the recognition in science and in international law about the inter-dependence of biodiversity and human rights is that no unjustified, foreseeable infringements of human rights should arise from decisions on biodiversity. She emphasised that in this connection more attention needs to be placed on the ocean-climate nexus and the blue economy (marine renewables, offshore oil and gas; deep-seabed mining; fisheries and ocean plastic). • There is a pressing need to develop training programmes (for judges, national human rights institutions, environmental assessment experts) on human rights as a proactive tool for system thinking and capacity-building to cooperate across different sectors to apply both the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/) As a follow up to the UNDP-Hub collaboration to advance human right to a healthy environment, in the second part of 2023 UNDP invited Morgera in a series of meetings to discuss the development of UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence. Following the initial meeting in the third week of August 2023 the UNDP shared on 5 September 2023 the preliminary draft of the "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" and requested Morgera to provide feedback on the document by 15 September 2023 and meet with the UNDP representatives on 18 September 2023 to discuss her feedback in detail. Prof Morgera inputs to the UNDP's "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" document focus on the following key points: • The UNDP needs to be cautious against giving the impression that no/ little significant work has been done on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and environmental human rights until now. While the UNGPs themselves do not mention the environment, all the relevant UN Special Rapporteurs (Indigenous Peoples, Toxics, Environment) have clarified that business due diligence, according to the UNGPs, also extends to environmental human rights since the adoption of the UNGPs. Morgera advised UNDP to refer to the 2018 UN Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment in this connection. • In term of Indigenous Peoples and other ecosystem-dependent communities, there are more specific human rights/biodiversity standards that need to be reflected in the UNDP's guidance, namely free prior informed consent and fair and equitable benefit-sharing. It is essential to add these standards and include the general references to minimising negative impacts because benefit-sharing calls for the co-identification of positive impacts on human rights when Indigenous Peoples or ecosystem-dependent communities may be involved in a proposed development. • The need for the UNDP's guidance to provide an explanation on traditional knowledge that are not explained/introduced in the guidance as the intended audience might not be aware of this concept. • For the UNDP to incorporate specific examples and extracts from the new UN General Comment No.26 on Children's Rights and a Healthy Environment (particularly for questions related to identifying the most vulnerable human rights holders, and also considering longer time frames of potential impacts). The General Comment No.26 contains specific language on business responsibility to respect children's right to a healthy environment. • In terms of examples of salient human rights and environmental issues by businesses, Morgera recommends the UNDP to summarise some key national or international human rights cases or specific recommendations in country reports by UN Special Rapporteurs in which these issues have been identified. UNDP continued to seek Hub's expertise to strengthen synergies between SDG 14 and other SDGs in late 2023. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, invited Hub researchers including Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) to speak at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue" in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. The AIS Forum is a platform that brings together 51 archipelagic and island nations to collectively address usage of ocean resources for sustainable economic growth, climate change resiliency, ocean pollution elimination, emergency management, and the enhancement of sustainable fisheries. The event was attended by over 100 participants including students, academics, government officials and representatives of UNDP. During the session Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage ocean governance, and climate change. Key messages that they shared included: • The importance of working with communities and grassroot organisations to address sustainability challenges given their local knowledge and networks. • The centrality of the ocean to diverse worldviews and cultural wellbeing. • That currently the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) overlook the importance of culture, was also discussed here. • That loss and damage caused by climate change should also be viewed from a cultural perspective. Climate change destroys lives, livelihoods, culture, traditions and heritage. The Hub is continuing the dialogue with UNDP, particularly as a follow up to the UNDP AIS event in November 2023. The UNDP AIS Forum has invited to Hub to collaborate in co-developing capacity building programme for the implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction in the Pacific that the UNDP will co-organise with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. The capacity building programme is funded by the European Union and is planned to take place in mid or later part of 2024. The Agreement is also known as the High Seas Treaty and is available from here: https://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/2023/06/20230620%2004-28%20PM/Ch_XXI_10.pdf. This collaboration has brought demonstrable impacts to policy & public services. One Ocean Hub's partnership with the UNDP informs the UNDP's policy and practices on the need to protect human rights, including human right to culture, in the context of just transition through blue economies. In 2023 One Ocean Hub's inputs influenced the development of two UNDP's policy documents including: - "Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean?" that reframe our understanding on the interconnection between SDG 14 and other SDGs; and - "UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence" to equip businesses with practical advice, experiences, and insights to get started or build on existing efforts to carry out effective human rights due diligence in the context of the triple planetary crisis. - The Hub's collaboration with UNDP in 2024 for the implementation of the High Seas Treaty will also potentially contribute to capacity building through technical and personal skill development of government officials based in 14 small islands developing states (SIDS) including Niue, Cook Islands, Palau, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. |
| Impact | Report UN Development Programme. (2023). Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf Blogposts Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, "Celebrating the 2023 International Day of Peace through contributions of ocean governance to the Sustainable Development Goals," 23 October 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-2023-international-day-of-peace-through/ One Ocean Hub, "Collaborating with UNDP on SDG 14-16 synergies," 31 January 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/collaborating-with-undp-on-sdg-14-16-synergies/ 2023 One Ocean Hub, "Reflecting on the role of the UN in supporting the human right to a healthy environment," 4 July 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ One Ocean Hub, "Clarifying business responsibility to respect the human right to a healthy ocean," 13 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/ Senia Febrica and Lisa McDonald, "Hub highlights connections between art, culture, heritage and ocean governance at UNDP Archipelagic and Island States event," 14 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/ |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Strengthening synergies across Sustainable Development Goals |
| Organisation | University of the South Pacific, Laucala |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research focuses on identifying actions that support synergies between SDG14 and other SDGs, to foster policy coherence (SDG 17) and protect human rights (SDG 16) (https://bit.ly/3McMOoq, https://bit.ly/42SqveQ, https://bit.ly/3WaeIWW) and increase funding for SDG 14 that provides co-benefits for other SDGs (https://bit.ly/3OddFDC; https://bit.ly/3o2Ffcb ). The One Ocean Hub advocates for governments and the private sector to invest more in ocean action through climate finance, development cooperation finance and sustainable blue economy finance mechanisms, and prioritise transdisciplinary ocean research as a necessary and innovative path for the co-development of transformative and equitable ocean-climate solutions with Indigenous and local knowledge holders, ocean-dependent communities, women and children. UNDP was an original project partner of the Hub, with an initial focus on marine genetic resources. As the timing of that area of activity of UNDP and the relevant research of the Hub were not aligned due to funding pressures at UNDP side, the Hub explored other areas of partnership with UNDP. In January 2023, the Hub began a collaboration with UNDP's Oslo Governance Centre and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16, to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. The Hub contributed to the UNDP's study on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16 through participation in the Analyst and Reference Group of the study. Hub researchers collaborated on the study as part of the Analyst Group, who reviewed literature relevant to the study, using UNDP-tested coding protocol (Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, University of the West Indies, Barbados; Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, UK, and Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, UK). In addition, Hub researchers were included in the Reference Group, who reviewed the initial findings and the final study (Professor Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde, U.K.) and Professor Jeremy Hills, (University of South Pacific, Fiji). The Hub's collaboration with UNDP continued in 2023 to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to deliver a keynote speech during the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC) on how human rights and biodiversity are connected and how can this help us improve our understanding on advancing the protection of the human right to a healthy environment. Morgera provided recommendations to UNDP and other organisations in the UN System to build capacity to apply human rights to clarify the minimum conduct required from States in implementing international environmental law, to ensure protection of biodiversity (including marine biodiversity) and human rights, and put in place procedural guarantees including effective national laws and access to remedies. Read more about Morgera's key recommendations at the UNDP Annual Meeting in this blogpost that available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. In the later part of 2023, Hub research on the relevance of the human right to a healthy environment to contribute to the protection of marine biodiversity and ocean health has increasingly contributed to discussions on business responsibility to respect human rights. In August to November 2023, Morgera provided advice to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on the development of its draft guidance on business due diligence and the environment (Read more here: https://www.undp.org/rolhr/consultation-hrddpluse and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/). In December 2023, Hub researchers, Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) were invited speakers at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue." The event was co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia. It was held in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. Focusing on nine community-based art projects carried out under the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund, Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage and ocean governance (https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund/). Jeffrey and McDonald also explained how the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently overlook the importance of culture at the session. Read more about key messages shared by Hub researchers at the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Global Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing Project, Switzerland; United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United States The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • partner organisation based in Global South: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic & Island States Forum, Jakarta. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Oslo Governance Centre, Norway; German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany; UN Development Programme (UNDP) Rule of Law and Human Rights, Switzerland; European Union, Belgium. |
| Collaborator Contribution | In January 2023, the UNDP invited the One Ocean to collaborate on UNDP led study on the interlinkages between SDG14 (life below water) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. UNDP together with the German Institute for Development and Sustainability have developed a methodology to systematically examine interlinkages that exist between SDG 16 (governance) and other SDGs through a scoping literature review. The approach was first applied to investigate interlinkages between SDG 16, SDG 1 (poverty reduction) and SDG 10 (inequality reduction). See the resulting study and short video here: https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/oslo/publications/connections-matter-how-quality-governance-institutions-may-be-booster-shot-we-need-reduce-poverty-and-inequality; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKDhzwIAQTo). UNDP and German Institute for Development and Sustainability were using the same approach to study how progress on key aspects of SDG 16 affects progress on key aspects of SDG 14. One Ocean Hub researchers that have been invited to collaborate in the study include: • Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Prof Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific) as part of a reference group, which will review initial findings and the final study. • Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK), and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) as part of the analyst group that will review papers relevant to the study, using UNDP tested coding protocol. The study provided a great opportunity to deepen the Hub's own reflection on SDG synergies from an ocean research and governance perspective and its various streams of research on human rights as an essential pre-condition for justice and strong institutions. The report of the study titled Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? was published by the UNDP on 23 March 2023. The publication can be accessed from here: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf. In 2023 UNDP continued to collaborate with the Hub to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. In June 2023, UNDP invited Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera to provide her inputs on the interlinkages between human rights and biodiversity at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC; https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). The UNDP Annual Meeting serves as a virtual forum to enable exchange on the current development context in relation to the rule of law, human rights, justice and security. One session was devoted to the human right to a healthy environment to identify ways to work across human rights and environmental disciplines, to protect both the environment and the people who depend on it. The video recording of the event can be found on UNDP YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCagCOAfZBpsTOlAJq_vcWbw). The session included among the speakers Pichamon Yeophantong, Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, to which the Hub recently made a submission (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) on the need to protect human rights in the context of just transition through blue economies. Key messages shared by Morgera at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights include: • The full enjoyment of human rights (life, health, food, water, culture) depends on biodiversity and ecosystem services from the microbial level to planetary health (including the role of marine biodiversity in the protection of oxygen, global carbon cycle and global water cycles, and climate regulation), with particular impacts on Indigenous Peoples, small-scale fishers, women and children. • The implication of the recognition in science and in international law about the inter-dependence of biodiversity and human rights is that no unjustified, foreseeable infringements of human rights should arise from decisions on biodiversity. She emphasised that in this connection more attention needs to be placed on the ocean-climate nexus and the blue economy (marine renewables, offshore oil and gas; deep-seabed mining; fisheries and ocean plastic). • There is a pressing need to develop training programmes (for judges, national human rights institutions, environmental assessment experts) on human rights as a proactive tool for system thinking and capacity-building to cooperate across different sectors to apply both the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/) As a follow up to the UNDP-Hub collaboration to advance human right to a healthy environment, in the second part of 2023 UNDP invited Morgera in a series of meetings to discuss the development of UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence. Following the initial meeting in the third week of August 2023 the UNDP shared on 5 September 2023 the preliminary draft of the "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" and requested Morgera to provide feedback on the document by 15 September 2023 and meet with the UNDP representatives on 18 September 2023 to discuss her feedback in detail. Prof Morgera inputs to the UNDP's "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" document focus on the following key points: • The UNDP needs to be cautious against giving the impression that no/ little significant work has been done on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and environmental human rights until now. While the UNGPs themselves do not mention the environment, all the relevant UN Special Rapporteurs (Indigenous Peoples, Toxics, Environment) have clarified that business due diligence, according to the UNGPs, also extends to environmental human rights since the adoption of the UNGPs. Morgera advised UNDP to refer to the 2018 UN Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment in this connection. • In term of Indigenous Peoples and other ecosystem-dependent communities, there are more specific human rights/biodiversity standards that need to be reflected in the UNDP's guidance, namely free prior informed consent and fair and equitable benefit-sharing. It is essential to add these standards and include the general references to minimising negative impacts because benefit-sharing calls for the co-identification of positive impacts on human rights when Indigenous Peoples or ecosystem-dependent communities may be involved in a proposed development. • The need for the UNDP's guidance to provide an explanation on traditional knowledge that are not explained/introduced in the guidance as the intended audience might not be aware of this concept. • For the UNDP to incorporate specific examples and extracts from the new UN General Comment No.26 on Children's Rights and a Healthy Environment (particularly for questions related to identifying the most vulnerable human rights holders, and also considering longer time frames of potential impacts). The General Comment No.26 contains specific language on business responsibility to respect children's right to a healthy environment. • In terms of examples of salient human rights and environmental issues by businesses, Morgera recommends the UNDP to summarise some key national or international human rights cases or specific recommendations in country reports by UN Special Rapporteurs in which these issues have been identified. UNDP continued to seek Hub's expertise to strengthen synergies between SDG 14 and other SDGs in late 2023. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, invited Hub researchers including Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) to speak at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue" in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. The AIS Forum is a platform that brings together 51 archipelagic and island nations to collectively address usage of ocean resources for sustainable economic growth, climate change resiliency, ocean pollution elimination, emergency management, and the enhancement of sustainable fisheries. The event was attended by over 100 participants including students, academics, government officials and representatives of UNDP. During the session Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage ocean governance, and climate change. Key messages that they shared included: • The importance of working with communities and grassroot organisations to address sustainability challenges given their local knowledge and networks. • The centrality of the ocean to diverse worldviews and cultural wellbeing. • That currently the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) overlook the importance of culture, was also discussed here. • That loss and damage caused by climate change should also be viewed from a cultural perspective. Climate change destroys lives, livelihoods, culture, traditions and heritage. The Hub is continuing the dialogue with UNDP, particularly as a follow up to the UNDP AIS event in November 2023. The UNDP AIS Forum has invited to Hub to collaborate in co-developing capacity building programme for the implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction in the Pacific that the UNDP will co-organise with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. The capacity building programme is funded by the European Union and is planned to take place in mid or later part of 2024. The Agreement is also known as the High Seas Treaty and is available from here: https://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/2023/06/20230620%2004-28%20PM/Ch_XXI_10.pdf. This collaboration has brought demonstrable impacts to policy & public services. One Ocean Hub's partnership with the UNDP informs the UNDP's policy and practices on the need to protect human rights, including human right to culture, in the context of just transition through blue economies. In 2023 One Ocean Hub's inputs influenced the development of two UNDP's policy documents including: - "Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean?" that reframe our understanding on the interconnection between SDG 14 and other SDGs; and - "UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence" to equip businesses with practical advice, experiences, and insights to get started or build on existing efforts to carry out effective human rights due diligence in the context of the triple planetary crisis. - The Hub's collaboration with UNDP in 2024 for the implementation of the High Seas Treaty will also potentially contribute to capacity building through technical and personal skill development of government officials based in 14 small islands developing states (SIDS) including Niue, Cook Islands, Palau, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. |
| Impact | Report UN Development Programme. (2023). Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf Blogposts Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, "Celebrating the 2023 International Day of Peace through contributions of ocean governance to the Sustainable Development Goals," 23 October 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-2023-international-day-of-peace-through/ One Ocean Hub, "Collaborating with UNDP on SDG 14-16 synergies," 31 January 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/collaborating-with-undp-on-sdg-14-16-synergies/ 2023 One Ocean Hub, "Reflecting on the role of the UN in supporting the human right to a healthy environment," 4 July 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ One Ocean Hub, "Clarifying business responsibility to respect the human right to a healthy ocean," 13 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/ Senia Febrica and Lisa McDonald, "Hub highlights connections between art, culture, heritage and ocean governance at UNDP Archipelagic and Island States event," 14 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/ |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Strengthening synergies across Sustainable Development Goals |
| Organisation | University of the West Indies |
| Country | Barbados |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | One Ocean Hub research focuses on identifying actions that support synergies between SDG14 and other SDGs, to foster policy coherence (SDG 17) and protect human rights (SDG 16) (https://bit.ly/3McMOoq, https://bit.ly/42SqveQ, https://bit.ly/3WaeIWW) and increase funding for SDG 14 that provides co-benefits for other SDGs (https://bit.ly/3OddFDC; https://bit.ly/3o2Ffcb ). The One Ocean Hub advocates for governments and the private sector to invest more in ocean action through climate finance, development cooperation finance and sustainable blue economy finance mechanisms, and prioritise transdisciplinary ocean research as a necessary and innovative path for the co-development of transformative and equitable ocean-climate solutions with Indigenous and local knowledge holders, ocean-dependent communities, women and children. UNDP was an original project partner of the Hub, with an initial focus on marine genetic resources. As the timing of that area of activity of UNDP and the relevant research of the Hub were not aligned due to funding pressures at UNDP side, the Hub explored other areas of partnership with UNDP. In January 2023, the Hub began a collaboration with UNDP's Oslo Governance Centre and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16, to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. The Hub contributed to the UNDP's study on the synergies between SDG 14 and SDG 16 through participation in the Analyst and Reference Group of the study. Hub researchers collaborated on the study as part of the Analyst Group, who reviewed literature relevant to the study, using UNDP-tested coding protocol (Dr Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, University of the West Indies, Barbados; Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, UK, and Dr Bernadette Snow, University of Strathclyde, UK). In addition, Hub researchers were included in the Reference Group, who reviewed the initial findings and the final study (Professor Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde, U.K.) and Professor Jeremy Hills, (University of South Pacific, Fiji). The Hub's collaboration with UNDP continued in 2023 to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to deliver a keynote speech during the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC) on how human rights and biodiversity are connected and how can this help us improve our understanding on advancing the protection of the human right to a healthy environment. Morgera provided recommendations to UNDP and other organisations in the UN System to build capacity to apply human rights to clarify the minimum conduct required from States in implementing international environmental law, to ensure protection of biodiversity (including marine biodiversity) and human rights, and put in place procedural guarantees including effective national laws and access to remedies. Read more about Morgera's key recommendations at the UNDP Annual Meeting in this blogpost that available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/. In the later part of 2023, Hub research on the relevance of the human right to a healthy environment to contribute to the protection of marine biodiversity and ocean health has increasingly contributed to discussions on business responsibility to respect human rights. In August to November 2023, Morgera provided advice to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on the development of its draft guidance on business due diligence and the environment (Read more here: https://www.undp.org/rolhr/consultation-hrddpluse and here: https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/). In December 2023, Hub researchers, Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) were invited speakers at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue." The event was co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia. It was held in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. Focusing on nine community-based art projects carried out under the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund, Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage and ocean governance (https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund/). Jeffrey and McDonald also explained how the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently overlook the importance of culture at the session. Read more about key messages shared by Hub researchers at the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of the West Indies, Barbados; University of South Pacific, Fiji. • research partners in the Global North: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; University of Plymouth, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Global Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing Project, Switzerland; United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United States The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • partner organisation based in Global South: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic & Island States Forum, Jakarta. • partner organisations based in Global North: UN Development Programme (UNDP) Oslo Governance Centre, Norway; German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany; UN Development Programme (UNDP) Rule of Law and Human Rights, Switzerland; European Union, Belgium. |
| Collaborator Contribution | In January 2023, the UNDP invited the One Ocean to collaborate on UNDP led study on the interlinkages between SDG14 (life below water) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) to advance our understanding of the ocean governance research landscape, foster policy coherence, and maximise synergies between the SDGs. UNDP together with the German Institute for Development and Sustainability have developed a methodology to systematically examine interlinkages that exist between SDG 16 (governance) and other SDGs through a scoping literature review. The approach was first applied to investigate interlinkages between SDG 16, SDG 1 (poverty reduction) and SDG 10 (inequality reduction). See the resulting study and short video here: https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/oslo/publications/connections-matter-how-quality-governance-institutions-may-be-booster-shot-we-need-reduce-poverty-and-inequality; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKDhzwIAQTo). UNDP and German Institute for Development and Sustainability were using the same approach to study how progress on key aspects of SDG 16 affects progress on key aspects of SDG 14. One Ocean Hub researchers that have been invited to collaborate in the study include: • Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Prof Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific) as part of a reference group, which will review initial findings and the final study. • Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK), and Dr Alana Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) as part of the analyst group that will review papers relevant to the study, using UNDP tested coding protocol. The study provided a great opportunity to deepen the Hub's own reflection on SDG synergies from an ocean research and governance perspective and its various streams of research on human rights as an essential pre-condition for justice and strong institutions. The report of the study titled Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? was published by the UNDP on 23 March 2023. The publication can be accessed from here: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf. In 2023 UNDP continued to collaborate with the Hub to clarify what is needed to bridge the gap between human rights practices and the human right to a healthy environment. In June 2023, UNDP invited Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera to provide her inputs on the interlinkages between human rights and biodiversity at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 20-22 June 2023 (https://bit.ly/41vNcWC; https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/). The UNDP Annual Meeting serves as a virtual forum to enable exchange on the current development context in relation to the rule of law, human rights, justice and security. One session was devoted to the human right to a healthy environment to identify ways to work across human rights and environmental disciplines, to protect both the environment and the people who depend on it. The video recording of the event can be found on UNDP YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCagCOAfZBpsTOlAJq_vcWbw). The session included among the speakers Pichamon Yeophantong, Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, to which the Hub recently made a submission (https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-foreign-investment-protection/) on the need to protect human rights in the context of just transition through blue economies. Key messages shared by Morgera at the UNDP Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights include: • The full enjoyment of human rights (life, health, food, water, culture) depends on biodiversity and ecosystem services from the microbial level to planetary health (including the role of marine biodiversity in the protection of oxygen, global carbon cycle and global water cycles, and climate regulation), with particular impacts on Indigenous Peoples, small-scale fishers, women and children. • The implication of the recognition in science and in international law about the inter-dependence of biodiversity and human rights is that no unjustified, foreseeable infringements of human rights should arise from decisions on biodiversity. She emphasised that in this connection more attention needs to be placed on the ocean-climate nexus and the blue economy (marine renewables, offshore oil and gas; deep-seabed mining; fisheries and ocean plastic). • There is a pressing need to develop training programmes (for judges, national human rights institutions, environmental assessment experts) on human rights as a proactive tool for system thinking and capacity-building to cooperate across different sectors to apply both the ecosystem approach and the human rights-based approach (https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/) As a follow up to the UNDP-Hub collaboration to advance human right to a healthy environment, in the second part of 2023 UNDP invited Morgera in a series of meetings to discuss the development of UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence. Following the initial meeting in the third week of August 2023 the UNDP shared on 5 September 2023 the preliminary draft of the "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" and requested Morgera to provide feedback on the document by 15 September 2023 and meet with the UNDP representatives on 18 September 2023 to discuss her feedback in detail. Prof Morgera inputs to the UNDP's "Integrated approach to human rights and environmental due diligence" document focus on the following key points: • The UNDP needs to be cautious against giving the impression that no/ little significant work has been done on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and environmental human rights until now. While the UNGPs themselves do not mention the environment, all the relevant UN Special Rapporteurs (Indigenous Peoples, Toxics, Environment) have clarified that business due diligence, according to the UNGPs, also extends to environmental human rights since the adoption of the UNGPs. Morgera advised UNDP to refer to the 2018 UN Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment in this connection. • In term of Indigenous Peoples and other ecosystem-dependent communities, there are more specific human rights/biodiversity standards that need to be reflected in the UNDP's guidance, namely free prior informed consent and fair and equitable benefit-sharing. It is essential to add these standards and include the general references to minimising negative impacts because benefit-sharing calls for the co-identification of positive impacts on human rights when Indigenous Peoples or ecosystem-dependent communities may be involved in a proposed development. • The need for the UNDP's guidance to provide an explanation on traditional knowledge that are not explained/introduced in the guidance as the intended audience might not be aware of this concept. • For the UNDP to incorporate specific examples and extracts from the new UN General Comment No.26 on Children's Rights and a Healthy Environment (particularly for questions related to identifying the most vulnerable human rights holders, and also considering longer time frames of potential impacts). The General Comment No.26 contains specific language on business responsibility to respect children's right to a healthy environment. • In terms of examples of salient human rights and environmental issues by businesses, Morgera recommends the UNDP to summarise some key national or international human rights cases or specific recommendations in country reports by UN Special Rapporteurs in which these issues have been identified. UNDP continued to seek Hub's expertise to strengthen synergies between SDG 14 and other SDGs in late 2023. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, invited Hub researchers including Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) to speak at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue" in Glasgow on 6-7 November 2023. The AIS Forum is a platform that brings together 51 archipelagic and island nations to collectively address usage of ocean resources for sustainable economic growth, climate change resiliency, ocean pollution elimination, emergency management, and the enhancement of sustainable fisheries. The event was attended by over 100 participants including students, academics, government officials and representatives of UNDP. During the session Jeffrey and McDonald highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage ocean governance, and climate change. Key messages that they shared included: • The importance of working with communities and grassroot organisations to address sustainability challenges given their local knowledge and networks. • The centrality of the ocean to diverse worldviews and cultural wellbeing. • That currently the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) overlook the importance of culture, was also discussed here. • That loss and damage caused by climate change should also be viewed from a cultural perspective. Climate change destroys lives, livelihoods, culture, traditions and heritage. The Hub is continuing the dialogue with UNDP, particularly as a follow up to the UNDP AIS event in November 2023. The UNDP AIS Forum has invited to Hub to collaborate in co-developing capacity building programme for the implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction in the Pacific that the UNDP will co-organise with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. The capacity building programme is funded by the European Union and is planned to take place in mid or later part of 2024. The Agreement is also known as the High Seas Treaty and is available from here: https://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/2023/06/20230620%2004-28%20PM/Ch_XXI_10.pdf. This collaboration has brought demonstrable impacts to policy & public services. One Ocean Hub's partnership with the UNDP informs the UNDP's policy and practices on the need to protect human rights, including human right to culture, in the context of just transition through blue economies. In 2023 One Ocean Hub's inputs influenced the development of two UNDP's policy documents including: - "Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean?" that reframe our understanding on the interconnection between SDG 14 and other SDGs; and - "UNDP's guide for business on human rights and environmental due diligence" to equip businesses with practical advice, experiences, and insights to get started or build on existing efforts to carry out effective human rights due diligence in the context of the triple planetary crisis. - The Hub's collaboration with UNDP in 2024 for the implementation of the High Seas Treaty will also potentially contribute to capacity building through technical and personal skill development of government officials based in 14 small islands developing states (SIDS) including Niue, Cook Islands, Palau, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. |
| Impact | Report UN Development Programme. (2023). Connections That Matter: How Does the Quality of Governance Institutions Help Protect our Ocean? https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/22Connections%20that%20matter%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf Blogposts Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, "Celebrating the 2023 International Day of Peace through contributions of ocean governance to the Sustainable Development Goals," 23 October 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-2023-international-day-of-peace-through/ One Ocean Hub, "Collaborating with UNDP on SDG 14-16 synergies," 31 January 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/collaborating-with-undp-on-sdg-14-16-synergies/ 2023 One Ocean Hub, "Reflecting on the role of the UN in supporting the human right to a healthy environment," 4 July 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-role-of-the-un-in-supporting-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment/ One Ocean Hub, "Clarifying business responsibility to respect the human right to a healthy ocean," 13 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-business-responsibility-to-respect-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-ocean/ Senia Febrica and Lisa McDonald, "Hub highlights connections between art, culture, heritage and ocean governance at UNDP Archipelagic and Island States event," 14 December 2023. Available from https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance-at-a-undp-archipelagic-and-island-states-event/ |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | Gobabeb Training and Research Centre |
| Country | Namibia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | Kelp Blue |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | Namibia Nature Foundation |
| Country | Namibia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | Nelson Mandela University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | Overseas Development Institute (ODI) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Department | Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute |
| Country | Falkland Islands (Malvinas) |
| Sector | Learned Society |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Supporting the implementation of a sustainable blue economy in Namibia |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Early research in the Hub identified the implementation of the Namibia Blue Economy strategy as a high priority area for research, and within this, the value of ecosystem services in key sectors such as the recreational fisheries sector to the economy of Namibia, particularly in coastal towns. The Namibian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) provide enormous scope for further development and this has been recognised in the promotion of a blue economy concept in Namibia's 5th National Development plan, to cover industries and resources such as fisheries and aquaculture, water resources, shipping and transport, tourism, marine renewable energy, minerals, genetic resources, pharmaceutical, blue carbon trading, biotechnology and general sea based products. Within this plan, the blue economy concept is not articulated beyond the need for improved policies to align the various sectors, improved spatial planning and, within that, the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (to align with Sustainable Development Goal commitments). The government of Namibia is also developing a policy and action plan for the country's Sustainable Blue Economy, and aims to develop and implement an Ecosystems Approach to fisheries management. The implementation of this policy and action plan will require trade-offs that at this stage are at best only partially understood. Significant knowledge gaps must be filled to enhance the understanding of the marine ecosystems in Namibia and how different economic activities rely on them and impact them In response this identified need, a cross-stakeholder, multidisciplinary programme was carried out, comprising 3 collaborative and interconnected collaborations (including 2 Flexible Fund projects, to add to and complement the existing Hub research in Namibia), which are advancing understanding of the value of marine ecosystem services linked to the ecosystem and ecological processes within the Namibian EEZ, in order to sustain key sectors such as the recreational line fishery, and ensure that further implementation of the blue economy considers impacts on community livelihoods. The One Ocean Hub's Flexible Fund enabled the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisation with expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. In 2020, new collaborations were thus initiated between the University of Namibia, Rhodes University (South Africa), the Centre of Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK), South Africa Environmental Research Institute, the Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Overseas Development Institute. In 2021-2022, several stakeholder engagements were held to advanced understating of the ocean-related rights, needs and connections among 14 coastal stakeholder groups, as well as the Topnaar community, and different government departments interested in blue carbon. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: University of Namibia (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Namibia; Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa; University of Plymouth, UK; Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. • research partners in the Global North: Centre for Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science, UK; University of Strathclyde, UK; Glasgow School of Art, UK. • partner organisations based in Global North: Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN, Italy. The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Falkland Islands; Namibia Nature Foundation, Namibia; Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, Namibia; Hanganeni Fishing Association, Namibia; Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, Namibia; Center for Marine, Environmental Education, and Sustainability, Namibia; NAMPORT, Namibia; National Theatre of Namibia, Namibia; Kelp Blue, Namibia; Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb), Namibia; Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Namibia; Women's Action for Development (WAD), Namibia; Dantango Women Project, Namibia; TopNaar community, Namibia; Namibian Marine Environmental Education Centre, Namibia; the Office of the Attorney General, Namibia. • Partner organisations based in Global North: Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Namibia Nature Foundation; Overseas Development Institute. This project aims to advance understanding on the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate marine protected area designation and management. Namibia's maritime and coastal environment fall within the exceptionally biologically rich Benguela current ecosystem. The fisheries sector, which currently constitutes the major commercial activity in the marine environment, contributes an average of 3.5% to real GDP and is the 4th largest foreign currency earner. Within this, the recreational fishery sector in particular is of considerable economic importance in coastal towns in which fishing-based tourism forms a major source of income. Following a literature review and scoping exercise with stakeholders from governments and the private sector in 2021, the project has identified three priority ecosystem services to be evaluated: blue carbon, tourism and cultural services. The research team will continue work in closer collaboration with the sociology and legal team at the University of Namibia to advance work on an unprecedented participatory methodology for the evaluation of blue carbon also with indigenous and community representatives (which are usually excluded from carbon-related valuations), and on tourism. In both aspects, they will integrate relevant research findings from the University of Namibia's collaboration with Nelson Mandela University on cultural services and cultural heritage. University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University. Namibian shore-based marine fisheries are the lifeblood of the coastal communities of central Namibia as they provide a critical source of income (through tourism) and food for the coastal communities in the region. The recreational sector is enormous with foreign and local tourists flocking to this coastal area to enjoy the excellent angling opportunities. The recreational sector provides almost all of the livelihood opportunities for coastal towns such as Henties Bay and in terms of economics, was shown to be far more valuable than the competing commercial fishery (Kirchner et al. 2000)1. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fishery has reduced the fish resources and while these were well monitored and managed in the 1990s, they have been neglected in recent years. The poor management of the recreational fishery in recent times has placed additional pressure on the fish stocks and this has had a considerable impact on other fisheries sectors (including subsistence fishery), whose participants rely directly on the resources for their livelihoods. In addition to concerns around overexploitation, coastal fisheries resources are threatened by the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Central and northern Namibia have been recognised as an ocean warming hotspot (Potts et al. 2014) and changes in temperature are having a marked impact on the distribution, movement patterns and life history of coastal fishery species (Potts et al. 2014, Pringle 20203). The overall purpose of the project is to improve the long-term sustainability of the shore-based fishery (recreational and small-scale) along the rapidly changing Namibian coastal. This will be achieved by: 1. Working closely with recreational anglers to understand their catch and effort, levels of compliance, catch-and-release techniques, and develop best-practice to enhance survival and improve compliance. 2. Generating biological knowledge of one of the key species harvested by shore-anglers in Namibia, West coast steenbras, and updating its stock assessment. 3. Provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice. In 2021, an initial survey (following an approach used in South Africa by Hub colleagues at Rhodes) collected key research questions from anglers (including subsistence fishers), which are currently being analysed to inform more in-depth collaboration in 2022. This project creates an opportunity for comparative analysis of the recreational fishing sector, and its management, in Namibia and South Africa, with a view to developing shared learning. In addition, follow-up work on artisanal fisheries will contribute to the valuation of ecosystem services mentioned above, as well as the capacity-building and legal empowerment work on the blue economy led by the University of Namibia sociology and law team. The collaboration between the University of Namibia, Cefas, Rhodes University and Strathclyde University has advanced engagement with authorities at national and international levels on small-scale fisheries policy, access to resources, and participation in the blue economy. Researchers from the University of Namibia shared research findings and experience generated through this collaboration at a workshop co-organised by FAO and the Hub on 12th-15th April 2021. The workshop was aimed to test the use of the Legislative Guide and the draft Law and Policy Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, that were co-produced by FAO and the Hub to advance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. The workshop brought together government officials, legal advisors and fishers' representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, to identify, at national level, regulatory barriers to protecting SSF human rights, and implementing the FAO SSF Guidelines. From this workshop, Hub researchers from the University of Namibia were invited to integrate their research findings into an ongoing FAO project supporting the Namibian Government in developing a national action plan on SSFs. This then led to the organisation of the FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021 that contributed to the development of Nambia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022. Ongoing research is being advanced and integrated on human rights and customary law issues, the blue economy and cultural heritage, with a specific focus on women and displaced Indigenous groups. In 2022, the Namibian country team has welcomed five NGOs as project partners to contribute to research on seaweed use, ocean connections of the Topnaar communities, education, a fish festival and women empowerment (https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/). (1) Kelp Blue is an organisation committed to finding 'cost-effective, long-term and environmentally sustainable solutions, such as growing and managing large-scale Giant Kelp forests. These underwater forests safely lock away vast amounts of Co2 in the ocean forever. Kelp Blue will provide training to coastal communities, specifically women and youth, on how to use seaweed for economic benefits. (2) Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Gobabeb) is one of Africa's leading institutes for desert research. Their mission is to be a catalyst for gathering, understanding and sharing knowledge about arid environments, especially the hyperarid Namib Desert. They are committed to skills development of emerging environmental specialists and decision-makers. The Centre is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park, where the Topnaar community is found. The Topnaar are the original inhabitants of Namibia's coast, but have been displaced and excluded from access to marine resources and decision-making on the ocean. The Centre initially contributed to the scoping phase of research in Namibia, providing literature on the Topnaar, their history and their concerps of blue economy. The Centre will now be involved in story-telling and the exploration of the Empathreatre methodology developed in South Africa. (3) Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES) connects Namibian schools, learners and the public to their ocean heritage through hands-on marine environmental educational programs to promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. With the Hub's support, the NGO plans to carry out a 'seafood festival' for the coastal communities, including children and women, in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay. (4) Women's Action for Development (WAD) is a Namibian-based non-profitmaking, non-partisan NGO focusing on the socio-economic and socio-political empowerment of rural women and men. In earlier interactions with the Hub team, WAD developed the idea of a seafood festival and will advise CEEMAS in organizing it. In addition, the collaboration has provided an opportunity for coastal women and youth from Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay to become co-researchers on Hub early-career researcher Marly Muudeni Samuel's research that explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia, including with a view to supporting the recognition of related human rights. Marly is a PhD researcher with the One Ocean Hub at the Glasgow School of Art, School of Simulation and Visualisation (UK). Her PhD research explores ocean connections and cultural heritage preservation in Namibia (https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/). Her research aims to reveal cultural connections that Namibian coastal communities have with the ocean and understand how their experiences shape and contribute to their livelihoods for the purpose of preservation. Together with coastal participants, the research explores how technologies, such as augmented reality, can capture communities' existing knowledge and reveal their intimate connections with the ocean. (5) Dantango Women Project aims to empower women from informal settlements. The collaboration is linked to Muudeni Samuel's research on ocean connections and cultural heritage. In November to December 2022, a series of five workshops were held in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties-Bay, and Lüderitz. • Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. • Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia • Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia • Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia • Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2022, Lüderitz, Namibia Throughout 2023 a series of six events were organised with local and national stakeholders in Namibia. These events are listed below. - On 23 - 31 March 2023 a five-day workshop was held in Henties Bay to share Hub's research findings on multiple uses of the marine shore-based resources and climate vulnerability and provide recommendations for managing a broader range of inshore fisheries and develop best practice to non-academic stakeholders. Summary of key messages shared at the workshop are available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. The workshops were attended by small-scale fishers, recreational, and commercial fishers' organisations as well as officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia. - In September 2023, a series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshops were attended by representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. A policy brief will be created and shared with policymakers based on the workshops. One of the primary issues discussed was Namibia's draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) strategic plan. The importance of cultural heritage was discussed at the workshop, and cultural heritage has been integrated into the draft MSP strategic plan. (https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/). Throughout 2023 until now, the Hub has also been supporting the Topnaar people to collect their elders' living memories of their connections to the ocean and intangible cultural heritage through a documentary movie led by Topnaar youth. The Hub UNAM team has co-developed an innovative project led by Indigenous youth from the Topnaar community. In January 2023, Hub researchers from South Africa, UK and UNAM met with Topnaar youth to co-define problems and sharing research plans, including potential use of the Empatheatre (https://www.empatheatre.com/) methodology used in South Africa (see: https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). Researcher met at Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (Hub's NGO partner) that has a long history of collaborating with the Topnaar people. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear action plan for the Topnaar youth-led project titled "Hurinin -Sea People of the Namibian coast", which aims to unpack the untold ocean stories of the Topnaar community in Namibia under the leadership of Topnaar youth Glen Gellert Kasper. Kasper is a Junior Councillor of the Topnaar Traditional Council. Gobabeb Namib Research Institute will support the project implementation, in close collaboration with UNAM. The documentary film "Hurinin - People of the Sea" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyhjQ50M2A) that tells how the marginalised Topnaar people in Namibia seek recognition for their ocean-related heritage, knowledge and rights was produced in December 2023. An excerpt of the documentary movie was screened during Climate COP28 at the Ocean Decade X Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28 in Dubai on 10 December 2023 . The collaboration has brought notable policy impacts. As explained above, at national level the Hub's research and engagement with local and national partners contributed to the co-development of the Namibia's first National Plan of Action on Small-Scale Fisheries that was adopted in 2022 and the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning in 2023. At international level, research findings, best practices and experience from this collaboration have contributed to the co-development of high-level outputs with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. • FAO global "Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool for Sustainable SSF," published in March 2022), co-developed with FAO and One Ocean Hub (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb8234en; https://oneoceanhub.org/fao-policy-and-legal-diagnostic-tool-for-small-scale-fishers-published/). • FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries," published in October 2022 (https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=881_). • The first policy brief co-developed by OOH, FAO and UNOHCHR "Applying coherently the human rights approach to SSF for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals," published in November 2022 (https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3251en). • SSF-LEX is FAO's, published in January 2023, a free online legal and policy database co-developed by FAO and One Ocean Hub and is entirely dedicated to small-scale fisheries (https://ssflex.fao.org/). For detailed information please see a separate entry titled "BETTER PROTECTING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS' HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS SCALES." Research findings from Hub's research in Namibia will also be shared at Small-Scale Fisheries Summit that will take place in July 2024 in Rome. The Hub has also nominated our research partners in Namibia: Glenn Kasper, the Chairperson of the Topnaar Youth Council Traditional Authorities and Thalia Animas, the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee as speakers at the UN World Oceans Day official celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on 7 June 2024. Currently, Glenn Kasper is working as the Community Project Coordinator of the 'Hurinin Project' funded by the One Ocean Hub. For the past three years, the Hub has been working with the Topnaar community, facilitating connections - connections outside of the community, so they can be recognised as stakeholders in ocean governance processes, as well as connections within, so that the Topnaar's own cultural memories and knowledge practices can be revived. Thalia Animas is volunteering as a research assistant in the Hub's 'Hurinin Project'. She featured in the short film "Hurinin, People of the Sea" showcasing the namastap traditional dance and attire. She serves as the Head of Culture in the Topnaar Youth Committee. Ín January 2024, the Hub's Namibia project has partnered with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) to produce an applied theatre piece. This production will be aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the local and national dialogue on the rights of marginalised communities. It also hopes to be a platform where the rich Topnaar cultural heritage can be celebrated and shared in the spirit of fostering pride and hope. We believe that art can play a powerful role in ensuring that local Topnaar voices are heard. The theatre production will be staged in April and May 2024 to key decision-makers and stakeholders in the local and national government and development sectors, as well as the public at large. This will take place both in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The collaboration has demonstrable societal impacts. It has provided capacity building and training across a range of topic related to various aspects of blue economy in Namibia (e.g. SSF and recreational fisheries, MSP, climate change adaptation and mitigation, seaweed farming) to local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse professional categories. These include a total of 769 SSF, recreational fishers, members of local communities, representatives of governments, donor, and international organisations. This collaboration also advanced gender equality. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of attendees across all events co-organised as part of this collaboration were attended by female. The Hub's country team in Namibia works closely with NGO partners such as the Centre for Marine Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEMEES), Women's Action for Development (WAD), and Dantango Women Project to strengthen the capacity of women and girls to explore supplementary livelihoods such as seaweed farming and promote ocean stewardship, conservation, sustainability and science education. The Hub's workplan in Namibia include capacity building on seaweed harvesting and sea food and products festivals for women and youth in the coastal area. As Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia) says "this is primarily to provide supplementary ways of livelihood for these communities and to expose them to variety of marine resources as a way of sustaining the current explored marine fisheries" (https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/). |
| Impact | Journal article TV Warikandwa (2023) "Fighting fisheries crimes in the fisheries industry: Practical training reflections of the efficacy of Namibia's fisheries law enforcement", Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis), 9:2, DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2286043. Book Chapters AT Kanyimba & MN Jonas (2023) "Barriers to Integrating Financial Inclusion for Coastal Small-Scale Fishermen into Namibian Fisheries Policies and Regulatory Frameworks" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_15. TV Warikandwa, E Shakalela, EL Libebe (2023) "Financial Inclusion and the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in Namibia: A Contemporary Legal Perspective" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial inclusion and Digital Transformation Regulatory Practices in Selected SADC Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Springer Publishers, IUS Gentium Series. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23863-5_14 TV Warikandwa, EL Libebe, E Shakalela, L Usebiu, and MR Awarab (2023) "Climate Change and Financial Inclusion in Namibia" in H Chitimira and TV Warikandwa (eds) Financial Inclusion and Regulatory Practices in SADC, Routledge Publishers. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003369400-14/climate-change-financial-inclusion-namibia-tapiwa-warikandwa-eugene-libebe-elize-shakalela-lineekela-usebiu-marvin-awarab?context=ubx&refId=933313a2-fc47-44ef-be0a-05404b53f48f Reports One Ocean Hub RP5 - University of Namibia, The views of local communities on ocean governance and sustainability in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, Namibia. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9dbnmb3m0q535tbi6bvib41js. SAERI Scoping Report: Understanding the Current and Assessing the Future Capital of Namibia's Marine Environment. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/dq1t8eui1omjjf2k030fuq1p1c. Tshiningayamwe, S. (2022). Ocean Benefits, Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Namibian Coastal Communities. One Ocean Hub, pp. 1-9. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/p8pvi66hoc4n95aligmjejd9da. Events • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) in South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia on 12th-15th April 2021. Attended by a total of 177 attendees (57 attendees on Day 1; 47 attendees on Day 2; 43 attendees on Day 3 and 30 attendees on Day 4). https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vss6rqq51pr8i7lm8un46lovgo. • The FAO and the One Ocean Hub information sharing sessions on Namibia's Experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries on 10-11 June 2021: Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-KkkVfAG8&t=24s). Day 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69nH3Uh-5I&t=81s) These series were attended by 70 attendees. • Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods, 7 June 2021. One Ocean Hub's led event for the UN World Oceans Day 2021. Recording is available from here: https://youtu.be/S5yOIh-4ZpU. This event was attended by 54 attendees. • One Ocean Hub panels for the GNHRE & UNEP 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment: - "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: women, girls and the ocean", 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY&t=7s. This event was attended by 38 attendees. - "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63RjDDwVHk&t=1877s. This event was attended by 30 attendees. • Customary Law, Heritage and Small-scale Fisheries in Namibia, University of Namibia One Ocean Hub Workshop, Central Auditorium, University of Namibia, 1st - 3rdFebruary 2023. This event was attended by 20 attendees. • Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action, 10th November 2022 (led by One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion). Event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGLY0jwzllU&t=1432s. The event was attended by 77 participants. • Presentation by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14th November 2022. Event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s. The event was attended by 41 participants. • Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! 10 December 2023, 14.00-15.00 (Dubai time), Ocean Decade + OceanX Pavilion, Blue Zone of COP28, Dubai. The event was attended by 12 persons. • A series of five workshops in November-December 2022 as listed below. The five workshops were attended by 100 attendees. o Workshop with the Topnaar community, 17 November 2022, outside of Walvis Bay, Namibia. o Workshop with the Walvis-Bay community, 19 November 2022, Walvis-Bay Namibia o Workshop with the Swakopmund community, 22 November 2022, Swakopmund, Namibia o Workshop with the Henties-Bay community, 24 November 2022, Henties-Bay, Namibia o Workshop with the Lüderitz community, 2 December 2024, Lüderitz, Namibia • A five-day workshop on climate vulnerability and recreational fishing in Namibia, 23 - 31 March 2022, Henties Bay, Namibia. This workshop was attended by 50 attendees. • A series of five stakeholder engagement workshops on Climate Change and Marine Spatial Planning were conducted in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek in September 2023. The five workshops were attended by 150 attendees. Blogposts: • Baker M, Paulus S, Currie B, Howell K, Kainge P. (2022). "Namibian deep-sea benthos collection project: history and progress," https://oneoceanhub.org/namibian-deep-sea-benthos-collection-project-history-and-progress/. • Khan U. (2022). Exploring the "blue carbon" potential in Namibia, https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-blue-carbon-potential-in-namibia/Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a workshop on sustainable small-scale fisheries law," https://oneoceanhub.org/1939-2/ • Febrica S. (2021). "The Food and Agriculture Organization and the One Ocean Hub co-organised webinar on Namibia's small-scale fisheries," https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-webinar-on-namibias-small-scale-fisheries/. • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "Welcoming local NGOs as Hub partners in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa: from seaweed education to human rights legal support," https://oneoceanhub.org/welcoming-local-ngos-as-hub-partners-in-ghana-namibia-and-south-africa-from-seaweed-education-to-human-rights-legal-support/ • One Ocean Hub. (2022). "A day in the life of: Marly Muudeni Samuel," https://oneoceanhub.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-marly-muudeni-samuel/. • One Ocean Hub, "Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture," 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf. • Samuel MM, Tshiningayamwe S, Jonas M and Kanyimba A. (2022). "Exploring ocean benefits, challenges, and prospects with Namibian coastal communities," https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-ocean-benefits-challenges-and-prospects-with-namibian-coastal-communities/ • Tshiningayamwe S, "Working with marginalised communities for more equitable ocean decision-making and other news from Namibia," 27 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/. • Veii A and Nghipangelwa S, "Working in a transdisciplinary team to understand climate vulnerability on recreational fishing in Namibia," 26 April 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-recreational-fishing-in-namibia/. • Warikandwa T and Merilainen L, "Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia," 12 December 2023, https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-making-and-other-news-from-namibia/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Sustainable and Equitable Fisheries-GHANA |
| Organisation | Environmental Justice Foundation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Around 10% of Ghana's jobs are directly related to fish production, the vast majority of which are associated with marine wild capture fisheries. Fish products are a primary source of protein to many Ghanaians, with as much as 75% of catches being processed and consumed locally. Annual fisheries production in Ghana currently meets around 45% of the needs of Ghana's population, with a considerable demand for imported products, mainly from countries like Senegal and Mauritania but also from Europe (countries such as Spain). The historic and subsistence importance of fish in Ghana, and the dependence upon fish imports, raises critical policy questions relating to food security and the significance of traditional diet and culture. Artisanal fishing overlaps to an undefined extent with subsistence fishing. The artisanal fisheries, which directly support around 107,000 jobs in Ghana are a loosely defined fleet of low- or unpowered wooden canoes, mainly targeting small pelagic stocks. These fisheries are widespread and hard to monitor, partly by dint of their 'open access' nature, which has seemingly led to considerable over-capacity. It is thought that present levels of artisanal fishing are unsustainable, as indicated by falls in some catches. However, strain on the artisanal sector could also be the result of stock catch being taken by other sectors, such as the semi-industrial sector. Included in this is the so-called 'Saiko' trade, where industrial trawlers sell bycatch to indigenous fishermen and land it illegally. This seriously undermines efforts to improve sustainability in the legal fishery. In 2017 it was estimated that around 100 kilotonnes of fish product was landed in this way, equivalent to 40% of the production of the artisanal sector, creating a considerable loss of state revenue and fishing opportunities for legal Ghanaian fishers. To address these challenges, Ghana's government is seeking to use an ecosystem-based management approach to recognize the full array of factors (including humans) and interactions (e.g., between organisms) relevant for fisheries development (https://mofad.gov.gh/fisheries-management-plan-of-ghana-2015-2019), also see Ghana News Agency report, 07.09.2017). As in many developing countries, the legislation (e.g., Ghana Fisheries Act 625) requiring ecosystem-based fisheries management was developed ahead of the science needed to assess fish stocks under the combined effects of fishing and global change factors. Presently, most studies focus on the effects of fishing . Knowledge, particularly on how feedback interactions between multiple global change factors affect key fish stocks is however, limited. Our interdisciplinary research aims to contribute to the knowledge gaps vis-à-vis ecosystem-based management targets outlined in Ghana's Fisheries Management Plan. Crucially, we aim to ensure that these are co-developed and implemented with artisanal fisher views, and consideration of the impact on their livelihoods (including consideration to supplementary livelihoods), the contribution of their customary systems and the protection of their human rights. To achieve this, area-based management approaches must be implemented through a pluralistic legal framework, accounting for both customary and national law. Towards achieving this, we are seeking to co-develop with key stakeholders: 1. A suite of tools to support integrated ecosystem-based marine spatial planning. 2. A pluralistic legal framework that is based on inclusive and participatory processes. 3. 'Solutions' to support the enforcement and compliance of fisheries laws. 4. Participatory approaches/methods for exploring alternative livelihoods to support poverty alleviation and enhanced wellbeing of artisanal fishing communities. In addition, the Hub's flexible fund enables the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisations with relevant expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. A flexible fund project begun (December 2020) to bring together researchers from University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and University of Energy and Natural Resources (Ghana), to address current challenges in hydrodynamic and oil spill response modelling capability in Ghana. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Fishery Management Plan for Ghana (2015-19) explicitly considers the need to establish area-based management tools (ABMTs, including marine protected areas), in line with its obligations to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Our partners in the Environmental Protection Agency and Ghanaian Fisheries Commission have provided insight into the data gaps which have necessitated a reliance on a precautionary approach. A precautionary approach is not effective at guiding specific decisions. The specific goals of ABMTs under the current fishery management plan are not clear. Furthermore, marine protected areas are not a panacea for improved fisheries management, without a concomitant decline in fishing effort, improvements to stock status or fisheries yields should not be expected. Our ongoing partnership will mean that we will have access to historic data and an ability to influence fisheries policy. In addition, in 2020, researchers at the University of Cape Coast Ghana, began a partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority to develop plans and approaches towards using marine tourism as an alternative livelihood strategy, to be responsive to any change in access to fish stocks. In order to provide the capacity to assess fish stocks and the ecosystem consequences of difference fisheries and environmental management scenarios, the Universities of Strathclyde and Cape Coast have collaborated on the development of two key modelling areas: 1) fish stock assessment and forecasting models, and 2) a marine ecosystem model. The Flexible Fund project between the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana (UENR), Sunyani, University of Cape Coast and the University of Strathclyde allowed UENR to replicate outputs on a University of Cape Coast computing system, extend them for a full annual cycle of hydrodynamics, and securely archive the outputs for the future (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18). The combined data on sediment sampling and hydrodynamics are being used to produce the first detailed seabed sediment map for the Ghana shelf. The capacity to model ocean currents, sea-levels, temperature and salinity, is also a key national capability for a maritime nation state. Access to these data is essential for rapid response to pollution events such as oil spills so as to direct resources to tackle the emergency; prediction of storm surges (especially for nations with low-lying coastal terrain); tracking the dispersal of litter; supporting advances in seabed habitat mapping and management; definition of connectivity between marine protected areas, and ecological understanding. Despite the extensive offshore oil industry, Ghana has up to now been lacking this national capability. Hence, in addition to providing data for the mapping of seabed sediments Flexible Funds have helped to secure hydrodynamic model outputs for the future. This will be a valuable contribution to improving Ghana's national capability in the marine field. Given the extensive offshore oil industry and importance of the marine environment to the Ghana economy it is important that the skills needed to respond to emergencies are available in-country. Throughout 2021, our partners at the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba have also engaged and collated the views of women fishers to improve women participation in informing fisheries decisions. Researchers based at the two organisations have explored opportunities and barriers to improve the protection of women's and children's rights in small-scale fisheries in Ghana. They found that in Ghana women in small-scale fisheries communities are most acutely affected by declining fish catch and poverty due to their limited access to resources and decision-making processes. Under this circumstance, there is a pressing need to improve national legal frameworks in the light of international human rights law to address class and gender discrimination, empowering women to realize their rights and enhancing the accountability of duty-bearers. In November 2021, a workshop was organised by Hub researchers and civil-society partner organisations in Ghana to bring together women working in small-scale fisheries from Apam and Winneba to discuss challenges that they face in fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). There is a plan to co-organise another workshop for women small-scale fishers in other two regions of Ghana in 2022 that involve the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and Hub partner organisations in South Africa. The three NGOs will become project partners of the Hub, and future workshops will also include pop-up legal clinics to provide immediate legal support to SSF women. Hub partners from Scottish Association for Marine Science are also collaborating with researchers from the University of Cape Coast to use a methodology for collecting microplastics that is relatively inexpensive and hence can be used by a Low-Middle-Income-Country to undertake microplastic collection. This partnership allows more studies on monitoring marine plastics to take place, more samples to be collected, and a greater understanding of the occurrence and the potential impact of microplastics in the environment, including their impacts towards sustainable fisheries. Access to the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer - Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR machine to identify plastic polymers) at the Scottish Association for Marine Science Lab will allow to identify the plastics extracted from different fish species in Ghana, with a view to identify plastic polymers, which is currently not possible in Ghana. Since March 2021, researchers based Heriot Watt University are working with our partners in Ghana in quantifying the role of mangrove detritus in fish diets in the Ghana coastal zone. Mangroves are vital for the provision of numerous ecosystem services. Threatened by rising populations in coastal areas: increased resource exploitation (wood extraction), land cover change (agriculture and urban expansion), and increased pollution (e.g. heavy metal pollution from gold mining) (Hall, 2021). Relatively little research has been done into the effect of degradation on the ability of ecosystems to function and provide these services, particularly within the mangroves of West Africa. |
| Impact | Cook, R; Acheampong E; Aggrey-Fynn J; Heath M. (2021a). A fleet based surplus production model that accounts for increases in fishing power with application to two West African pelagic stocks. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 2021.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106048 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred, (2021b). Assessment of small pelagic fish stocks in Ghanaian and adjacent waters (November 4, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.0b. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3956447 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred. (2021c). Assessment of Demersal Fish Stocks in Ghanaian and Adjacent Waters (November 16, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.03a. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3964757 Golo, H and Erinosho, B. Tackling the Challenges Confronting Women in the Elmina Fishing Community of Ghana: A Human Rights Framework. Submitted to Marine Policy in 2021. This paper was included in the FAO e-learning tool. Heath, M, Uba F, Sunyani. (2021). Hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kt3pd8islqbiem2n67v347927q Data from hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18 The collaboration has led to DeepFund awarded to Dr Eric Otchere of the University of Cape Coast a grant to research Cocooned in Harmony: Power, agency, and multiple realities in indigenous Ghanaian seine fisherfolk songs. His study investigated the emotional connection of fisherfolks to the ocean. His work showed that singing is an integral part of the daily activities of indigenous Ghanaian seine/artisanal fishers. Beyond the function of providing reference points for coordinated movement and helping ease the strenuous activities, music serves other purposes. The songs have pointers to identity issues, power/inequality, agency, gender, and beliefs about the ocean. The fishers create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice through the music. Dr Otchere produced a comprehensive documentary on the music that showed beliefs about their deep-seated connections to the ocean and showed all the other dimensions. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYKP13lFDEEZNCcP7UlohuTi5-hwL1Se/view?usp=drivesdk A high-level policy dialogue event was planned for April 2020 which sought to bring together relevant Ministries to engage them on the proposed Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Ghana, with the specific objectives to: • Seek policy coherence and to promote co-existence among maritime economic activities, as well as the protection of the marine environment • To demonstrate how the proposed MSP will promote a blue economy for Ghana. This event was rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions and will be organised in the first half of 2022. A workshop "Awareness creation on human rights issues for women in small scale fisheries" was organised on 16 November 2021 in Winneba, the Central Region of Ghana. The workshop objective was to inform, engage and collate the views of women fishers from Apam and Winneba on the challenges of the fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated mainly by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). The event report is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9pg51srgrslhk714hi17396tu; https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/. As a result of co-development of research and engagement activities that involve the Ghana Fisheries Commission, the primary implementer of legislative and policy reform in Ghana fisheries sector, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the University of Cape Coast and the Commission is being drafted. The Fisheries Commission is sharing data with Hub researchers, participating in stakeholder interviews, contributing to the design of workshops and policy briefs that are currently being prepared. Future training of judges and enforcement officers is also being planned. Webinars: • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches' webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 29 September 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=f5U4On_lZsk&t=4569s • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) and Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Winneba) presentation at the Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks webinar co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 12 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q&t=2103s • Dr Emmanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 30 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE&t=3s • Professor Kofi Nyarko (University of Cape Coast) presentation at the IMO's Maritime Week Day 2 Seminar: 'Ocean and Climate Change' on 24 September 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsVicHHv4E&t=3s • The nexus between tangible and intangible cultural heritage and ocean governance in Ghana: the case of canoe inscriptions, festivals and asafo companies, One Ocean Hub led webinar for the UN World Ocean Week 2021 on 9 June 2021 https://oneoceanhub.org/the-nexus-between-tangible-and-intangible-cultural-heritage-and-ocean-governance-in-ghana-the-case-of-canoe-inscriptions-festivals-and-asafo-companies/ • Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, Dr John Ansah, and Dr Emanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27 September 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s Blogposts: • Destructive fishing part I: defining destructive fisheries in a rounded manner, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing/ • Destructive fishing part II: determinants of destructive fisheries in contemporary practice, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing-part-ii-determinants-of-destructive-fisheries-in-contemporary-practice/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-1/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-2/ • European colonisation, law and indigenous marine dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/european-colonisation-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/ Outputs in progress: • Metageodatabase of Ghana's marine ecosystem. This database is being developed in partnership between Cefas (UK), University of Cape Coast, and the Environment Protection Authority (Ghana), and once developed will be hosted by the University of Cape Coast. • Ecosystem model of Ghana shelf Progress towards key outcomes in developing the 4 key outputs listed under 'contributions', we aim to increase capacity to implement these outputs to support integrated and sustainable ocean governance and sustainable livelihoods in Ghana. In achieving this, we are developing the networks to support capacity development, and co-developing these outputs with key stakeholders such that they are appropriately designed for immediate deployment. For example, the Environment Protection Authority has provided substantive inputs on 3 occasions to the design and scope of the metageodatabase, and has provided historic data for inclusion. Multidisciplinary collaboration involving various disciplines: law, sociology, geography, mathematic, fisheries science. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Sustainable and Equitable Fisheries-GHANA |
| Organisation | Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Around 10% of Ghana's jobs are directly related to fish production, the vast majority of which are associated with marine wild capture fisheries. Fish products are a primary source of protein to many Ghanaians, with as much as 75% of catches being processed and consumed locally. Annual fisheries production in Ghana currently meets around 45% of the needs of Ghana's population, with a considerable demand for imported products, mainly from countries like Senegal and Mauritania but also from Europe (countries such as Spain). The historic and subsistence importance of fish in Ghana, and the dependence upon fish imports, raises critical policy questions relating to food security and the significance of traditional diet and culture. Artisanal fishing overlaps to an undefined extent with subsistence fishing. The artisanal fisheries, which directly support around 107,000 jobs in Ghana are a loosely defined fleet of low- or unpowered wooden canoes, mainly targeting small pelagic stocks. These fisheries are widespread and hard to monitor, partly by dint of their 'open access' nature, which has seemingly led to considerable over-capacity. It is thought that present levels of artisanal fishing are unsustainable, as indicated by falls in some catches. However, strain on the artisanal sector could also be the result of stock catch being taken by other sectors, such as the semi-industrial sector. Included in this is the so-called 'Saiko' trade, where industrial trawlers sell bycatch to indigenous fishermen and land it illegally. This seriously undermines efforts to improve sustainability in the legal fishery. In 2017 it was estimated that around 100 kilotonnes of fish product was landed in this way, equivalent to 40% of the production of the artisanal sector, creating a considerable loss of state revenue and fishing opportunities for legal Ghanaian fishers. To address these challenges, Ghana's government is seeking to use an ecosystem-based management approach to recognize the full array of factors (including humans) and interactions (e.g., between organisms) relevant for fisheries development (https://mofad.gov.gh/fisheries-management-plan-of-ghana-2015-2019), also see Ghana News Agency report, 07.09.2017). As in many developing countries, the legislation (e.g., Ghana Fisheries Act 625) requiring ecosystem-based fisheries management was developed ahead of the science needed to assess fish stocks under the combined effects of fishing and global change factors. Presently, most studies focus on the effects of fishing . Knowledge, particularly on how feedback interactions between multiple global change factors affect key fish stocks is however, limited. Our interdisciplinary research aims to contribute to the knowledge gaps vis-à-vis ecosystem-based management targets outlined in Ghana's Fisheries Management Plan. Crucially, we aim to ensure that these are co-developed and implemented with artisanal fisher views, and consideration of the impact on their livelihoods (including consideration to supplementary livelihoods), the contribution of their customary systems and the protection of their human rights. To achieve this, area-based management approaches must be implemented through a pluralistic legal framework, accounting for both customary and national law. Towards achieving this, we are seeking to co-develop with key stakeholders: 1. A suite of tools to support integrated ecosystem-based marine spatial planning. 2. A pluralistic legal framework that is based on inclusive and participatory processes. 3. 'Solutions' to support the enforcement and compliance of fisheries laws. 4. Participatory approaches/methods for exploring alternative livelihoods to support poverty alleviation and enhanced wellbeing of artisanal fishing communities. In addition, the Hub's flexible fund enables the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisations with relevant expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. A flexible fund project begun (December 2020) to bring together researchers from University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and University of Energy and Natural Resources (Ghana), to address current challenges in hydrodynamic and oil spill response modelling capability in Ghana. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Fishery Management Plan for Ghana (2015-19) explicitly considers the need to establish area-based management tools (ABMTs, including marine protected areas), in line with its obligations to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Our partners in the Environmental Protection Agency and Ghanaian Fisheries Commission have provided insight into the data gaps which have necessitated a reliance on a precautionary approach. A precautionary approach is not effective at guiding specific decisions. The specific goals of ABMTs under the current fishery management plan are not clear. Furthermore, marine protected areas are not a panacea for improved fisheries management, without a concomitant decline in fishing effort, improvements to stock status or fisheries yields should not be expected. Our ongoing partnership will mean that we will have access to historic data and an ability to influence fisheries policy. In addition, in 2020, researchers at the University of Cape Coast Ghana, began a partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority to develop plans and approaches towards using marine tourism as an alternative livelihood strategy, to be responsive to any change in access to fish stocks. In order to provide the capacity to assess fish stocks and the ecosystem consequences of difference fisheries and environmental management scenarios, the Universities of Strathclyde and Cape Coast have collaborated on the development of two key modelling areas: 1) fish stock assessment and forecasting models, and 2) a marine ecosystem model. The Flexible Fund project between the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana (UENR), Sunyani, University of Cape Coast and the University of Strathclyde allowed UENR to replicate outputs on a University of Cape Coast computing system, extend them for a full annual cycle of hydrodynamics, and securely archive the outputs for the future (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18). The combined data on sediment sampling and hydrodynamics are being used to produce the first detailed seabed sediment map for the Ghana shelf. The capacity to model ocean currents, sea-levels, temperature and salinity, is also a key national capability for a maritime nation state. Access to these data is essential for rapid response to pollution events such as oil spills so as to direct resources to tackle the emergency; prediction of storm surges (especially for nations with low-lying coastal terrain); tracking the dispersal of litter; supporting advances in seabed habitat mapping and management; definition of connectivity between marine protected areas, and ecological understanding. Despite the extensive offshore oil industry, Ghana has up to now been lacking this national capability. Hence, in addition to providing data for the mapping of seabed sediments Flexible Funds have helped to secure hydrodynamic model outputs for the future. This will be a valuable contribution to improving Ghana's national capability in the marine field. Given the extensive offshore oil industry and importance of the marine environment to the Ghana economy it is important that the skills needed to respond to emergencies are available in-country. Throughout 2021, our partners at the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba have also engaged and collated the views of women fishers to improve women participation in informing fisheries decisions. Researchers based at the two organisations have explored opportunities and barriers to improve the protection of women's and children's rights in small-scale fisheries in Ghana. They found that in Ghana women in small-scale fisheries communities are most acutely affected by declining fish catch and poverty due to their limited access to resources and decision-making processes. Under this circumstance, there is a pressing need to improve national legal frameworks in the light of international human rights law to address class and gender discrimination, empowering women to realize their rights and enhancing the accountability of duty-bearers. In November 2021, a workshop was organised by Hub researchers and civil-society partner organisations in Ghana to bring together women working in small-scale fisheries from Apam and Winneba to discuss challenges that they face in fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). There is a plan to co-organise another workshop for women small-scale fishers in other two regions of Ghana in 2022 that involve the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and Hub partner organisations in South Africa. The three NGOs will become project partners of the Hub, and future workshops will also include pop-up legal clinics to provide immediate legal support to SSF women. Hub partners from Scottish Association for Marine Science are also collaborating with researchers from the University of Cape Coast to use a methodology for collecting microplastics that is relatively inexpensive and hence can be used by a Low-Middle-Income-Country to undertake microplastic collection. This partnership allows more studies on monitoring marine plastics to take place, more samples to be collected, and a greater understanding of the occurrence and the potential impact of microplastics in the environment, including their impacts towards sustainable fisheries. Access to the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer - Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR machine to identify plastic polymers) at the Scottish Association for Marine Science Lab will allow to identify the plastics extracted from different fish species in Ghana, with a view to identify plastic polymers, which is currently not possible in Ghana. Since March 2021, researchers based Heriot Watt University are working with our partners in Ghana in quantifying the role of mangrove detritus in fish diets in the Ghana coastal zone. Mangroves are vital for the provision of numerous ecosystem services. Threatened by rising populations in coastal areas: increased resource exploitation (wood extraction), land cover change (agriculture and urban expansion), and increased pollution (e.g. heavy metal pollution from gold mining) (Hall, 2021). Relatively little research has been done into the effect of degradation on the ability of ecosystems to function and provide these services, particularly within the mangroves of West Africa. |
| Impact | Cook, R; Acheampong E; Aggrey-Fynn J; Heath M. (2021a). A fleet based surplus production model that accounts for increases in fishing power with application to two West African pelagic stocks. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 2021.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106048 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred, (2021b). Assessment of small pelagic fish stocks in Ghanaian and adjacent waters (November 4, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.0b. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3956447 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred. (2021c). Assessment of Demersal Fish Stocks in Ghanaian and Adjacent Waters (November 16, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.03a. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3964757 Golo, H and Erinosho, B. Tackling the Challenges Confronting Women in the Elmina Fishing Community of Ghana: A Human Rights Framework. Submitted to Marine Policy in 2021. This paper was included in the FAO e-learning tool. Heath, M, Uba F, Sunyani. (2021). Hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kt3pd8islqbiem2n67v347927q Data from hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18 The collaboration has led to DeepFund awarded to Dr Eric Otchere of the University of Cape Coast a grant to research Cocooned in Harmony: Power, agency, and multiple realities in indigenous Ghanaian seine fisherfolk songs. His study investigated the emotional connection of fisherfolks to the ocean. His work showed that singing is an integral part of the daily activities of indigenous Ghanaian seine/artisanal fishers. Beyond the function of providing reference points for coordinated movement and helping ease the strenuous activities, music serves other purposes. The songs have pointers to identity issues, power/inequality, agency, gender, and beliefs about the ocean. The fishers create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice through the music. Dr Otchere produced a comprehensive documentary on the music that showed beliefs about their deep-seated connections to the ocean and showed all the other dimensions. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYKP13lFDEEZNCcP7UlohuTi5-hwL1Se/view?usp=drivesdk A high-level policy dialogue event was planned for April 2020 which sought to bring together relevant Ministries to engage them on the proposed Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Ghana, with the specific objectives to: • Seek policy coherence and to promote co-existence among maritime economic activities, as well as the protection of the marine environment • To demonstrate how the proposed MSP will promote a blue economy for Ghana. This event was rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions and will be organised in the first half of 2022. A workshop "Awareness creation on human rights issues for women in small scale fisheries" was organised on 16 November 2021 in Winneba, the Central Region of Ghana. The workshop objective was to inform, engage and collate the views of women fishers from Apam and Winneba on the challenges of the fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated mainly by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). The event report is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9pg51srgrslhk714hi17396tu; https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/. As a result of co-development of research and engagement activities that involve the Ghana Fisheries Commission, the primary implementer of legislative and policy reform in Ghana fisheries sector, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the University of Cape Coast and the Commission is being drafted. The Fisheries Commission is sharing data with Hub researchers, participating in stakeholder interviews, contributing to the design of workshops and policy briefs that are currently being prepared. Future training of judges and enforcement officers is also being planned. Webinars: • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches' webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 29 September 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=f5U4On_lZsk&t=4569s • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) and Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Winneba) presentation at the Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks webinar co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 12 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q&t=2103s • Dr Emmanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 30 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE&t=3s • Professor Kofi Nyarko (University of Cape Coast) presentation at the IMO's Maritime Week Day 2 Seminar: 'Ocean and Climate Change' on 24 September 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsVicHHv4E&t=3s • The nexus between tangible and intangible cultural heritage and ocean governance in Ghana: the case of canoe inscriptions, festivals and asafo companies, One Ocean Hub led webinar for the UN World Ocean Week 2021 on 9 June 2021 https://oneoceanhub.org/the-nexus-between-tangible-and-intangible-cultural-heritage-and-ocean-governance-in-ghana-the-case-of-canoe-inscriptions-festivals-and-asafo-companies/ • Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, Dr John Ansah, and Dr Emanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27 September 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s Blogposts: • Destructive fishing part I: defining destructive fisheries in a rounded manner, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing/ • Destructive fishing part II: determinants of destructive fisheries in contemporary practice, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing-part-ii-determinants-of-destructive-fisheries-in-contemporary-practice/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-1/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-2/ • European colonisation, law and indigenous marine dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/european-colonisation-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/ Outputs in progress: • Metageodatabase of Ghana's marine ecosystem. This database is being developed in partnership between Cefas (UK), University of Cape Coast, and the Environment Protection Authority (Ghana), and once developed will be hosted by the University of Cape Coast. • Ecosystem model of Ghana shelf Progress towards key outcomes in developing the 4 key outputs listed under 'contributions', we aim to increase capacity to implement these outputs to support integrated and sustainable ocean governance and sustainable livelihoods in Ghana. In achieving this, we are developing the networks to support capacity development, and co-developing these outputs with key stakeholders such that they are appropriately designed for immediate deployment. For example, the Environment Protection Authority has provided substantive inputs on 3 occasions to the design and scope of the metageodatabase, and has provided historic data for inclusion. Multidisciplinary collaboration involving various disciplines: law, sociology, geography, mathematic, fisheries science. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Sustainable and Equitable Fisheries-GHANA |
| Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Around 10% of Ghana's jobs are directly related to fish production, the vast majority of which are associated with marine wild capture fisheries. Fish products are a primary source of protein to many Ghanaians, with as much as 75% of catches being processed and consumed locally. Annual fisheries production in Ghana currently meets around 45% of the needs of Ghana's population, with a considerable demand for imported products, mainly from countries like Senegal and Mauritania but also from Europe (countries such as Spain). The historic and subsistence importance of fish in Ghana, and the dependence upon fish imports, raises critical policy questions relating to food security and the significance of traditional diet and culture. Artisanal fishing overlaps to an undefined extent with subsistence fishing. The artisanal fisheries, which directly support around 107,000 jobs in Ghana are a loosely defined fleet of low- or unpowered wooden canoes, mainly targeting small pelagic stocks. These fisheries are widespread and hard to monitor, partly by dint of their 'open access' nature, which has seemingly led to considerable over-capacity. It is thought that present levels of artisanal fishing are unsustainable, as indicated by falls in some catches. However, strain on the artisanal sector could also be the result of stock catch being taken by other sectors, such as the semi-industrial sector. Included in this is the so-called 'Saiko' trade, where industrial trawlers sell bycatch to indigenous fishermen and land it illegally. This seriously undermines efforts to improve sustainability in the legal fishery. In 2017 it was estimated that around 100 kilotonnes of fish product was landed in this way, equivalent to 40% of the production of the artisanal sector, creating a considerable loss of state revenue and fishing opportunities for legal Ghanaian fishers. To address these challenges, Ghana's government is seeking to use an ecosystem-based management approach to recognize the full array of factors (including humans) and interactions (e.g., between organisms) relevant for fisheries development (https://mofad.gov.gh/fisheries-management-plan-of-ghana-2015-2019), also see Ghana News Agency report, 07.09.2017). As in many developing countries, the legislation (e.g., Ghana Fisheries Act 625) requiring ecosystem-based fisheries management was developed ahead of the science needed to assess fish stocks under the combined effects of fishing and global change factors. Presently, most studies focus on the effects of fishing . Knowledge, particularly on how feedback interactions between multiple global change factors affect key fish stocks is however, limited. Our interdisciplinary research aims to contribute to the knowledge gaps vis-à-vis ecosystem-based management targets outlined in Ghana's Fisheries Management Plan. Crucially, we aim to ensure that these are co-developed and implemented with artisanal fisher views, and consideration of the impact on their livelihoods (including consideration to supplementary livelihoods), the contribution of their customary systems and the protection of their human rights. To achieve this, area-based management approaches must be implemented through a pluralistic legal framework, accounting for both customary and national law. Towards achieving this, we are seeking to co-develop with key stakeholders: 1. A suite of tools to support integrated ecosystem-based marine spatial planning. 2. A pluralistic legal framework that is based on inclusive and participatory processes. 3. 'Solutions' to support the enforcement and compliance of fisheries laws. 4. Participatory approaches/methods for exploring alternative livelihoods to support poverty alleviation and enhanced wellbeing of artisanal fishing communities. In addition, the Hub's flexible fund enables the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisations with relevant expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. A flexible fund project begun (December 2020) to bring together researchers from University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and University of Energy and Natural Resources (Ghana), to address current challenges in hydrodynamic and oil spill response modelling capability in Ghana. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Fishery Management Plan for Ghana (2015-19) explicitly considers the need to establish area-based management tools (ABMTs, including marine protected areas), in line with its obligations to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Our partners in the Environmental Protection Agency and Ghanaian Fisheries Commission have provided insight into the data gaps which have necessitated a reliance on a precautionary approach. A precautionary approach is not effective at guiding specific decisions. The specific goals of ABMTs under the current fishery management plan are not clear. Furthermore, marine protected areas are not a panacea for improved fisheries management, without a concomitant decline in fishing effort, improvements to stock status or fisheries yields should not be expected. Our ongoing partnership will mean that we will have access to historic data and an ability to influence fisheries policy. In addition, in 2020, researchers at the University of Cape Coast Ghana, began a partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority to develop plans and approaches towards using marine tourism as an alternative livelihood strategy, to be responsive to any change in access to fish stocks. In order to provide the capacity to assess fish stocks and the ecosystem consequences of difference fisheries and environmental management scenarios, the Universities of Strathclyde and Cape Coast have collaborated on the development of two key modelling areas: 1) fish stock assessment and forecasting models, and 2) a marine ecosystem model. The Flexible Fund project between the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana (UENR), Sunyani, University of Cape Coast and the University of Strathclyde allowed UENR to replicate outputs on a University of Cape Coast computing system, extend them for a full annual cycle of hydrodynamics, and securely archive the outputs for the future (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18). The combined data on sediment sampling and hydrodynamics are being used to produce the first detailed seabed sediment map for the Ghana shelf. The capacity to model ocean currents, sea-levels, temperature and salinity, is also a key national capability for a maritime nation state. Access to these data is essential for rapid response to pollution events such as oil spills so as to direct resources to tackle the emergency; prediction of storm surges (especially for nations with low-lying coastal terrain); tracking the dispersal of litter; supporting advances in seabed habitat mapping and management; definition of connectivity between marine protected areas, and ecological understanding. Despite the extensive offshore oil industry, Ghana has up to now been lacking this national capability. Hence, in addition to providing data for the mapping of seabed sediments Flexible Funds have helped to secure hydrodynamic model outputs for the future. This will be a valuable contribution to improving Ghana's national capability in the marine field. Given the extensive offshore oil industry and importance of the marine environment to the Ghana economy it is important that the skills needed to respond to emergencies are available in-country. Throughout 2021, our partners at the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba have also engaged and collated the views of women fishers to improve women participation in informing fisheries decisions. Researchers based at the two organisations have explored opportunities and barriers to improve the protection of women's and children's rights in small-scale fisheries in Ghana. They found that in Ghana women in small-scale fisheries communities are most acutely affected by declining fish catch and poverty due to their limited access to resources and decision-making processes. Under this circumstance, there is a pressing need to improve national legal frameworks in the light of international human rights law to address class and gender discrimination, empowering women to realize their rights and enhancing the accountability of duty-bearers. In November 2021, a workshop was organised by Hub researchers and civil-society partner organisations in Ghana to bring together women working in small-scale fisheries from Apam and Winneba to discuss challenges that they face in fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). There is a plan to co-organise another workshop for women small-scale fishers in other two regions of Ghana in 2022 that involve the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and Hub partner organisations in South Africa. The three NGOs will become project partners of the Hub, and future workshops will also include pop-up legal clinics to provide immediate legal support to SSF women. Hub partners from Scottish Association for Marine Science are also collaborating with researchers from the University of Cape Coast to use a methodology for collecting microplastics that is relatively inexpensive and hence can be used by a Low-Middle-Income-Country to undertake microplastic collection. This partnership allows more studies on monitoring marine plastics to take place, more samples to be collected, and a greater understanding of the occurrence and the potential impact of microplastics in the environment, including their impacts towards sustainable fisheries. Access to the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer - Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR machine to identify plastic polymers) at the Scottish Association for Marine Science Lab will allow to identify the plastics extracted from different fish species in Ghana, with a view to identify plastic polymers, which is currently not possible in Ghana. Since March 2021, researchers based Heriot Watt University are working with our partners in Ghana in quantifying the role of mangrove detritus in fish diets in the Ghana coastal zone. Mangroves are vital for the provision of numerous ecosystem services. Threatened by rising populations in coastal areas: increased resource exploitation (wood extraction), land cover change (agriculture and urban expansion), and increased pollution (e.g. heavy metal pollution from gold mining) (Hall, 2021). Relatively little research has been done into the effect of degradation on the ability of ecosystems to function and provide these services, particularly within the mangroves of West Africa. |
| Impact | Cook, R; Acheampong E; Aggrey-Fynn J; Heath M. (2021a). A fleet based surplus production model that accounts for increases in fishing power with application to two West African pelagic stocks. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 2021.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106048 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred, (2021b). Assessment of small pelagic fish stocks in Ghanaian and adjacent waters (November 4, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.0b. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3956447 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred. (2021c). Assessment of Demersal Fish Stocks in Ghanaian and Adjacent Waters (November 16, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.03a. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3964757 Golo, H and Erinosho, B. Tackling the Challenges Confronting Women in the Elmina Fishing Community of Ghana: A Human Rights Framework. Submitted to Marine Policy in 2021. This paper was included in the FAO e-learning tool. Heath, M, Uba F, Sunyani. (2021). Hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kt3pd8islqbiem2n67v347927q Data from hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18 The collaboration has led to DeepFund awarded to Dr Eric Otchere of the University of Cape Coast a grant to research Cocooned in Harmony: Power, agency, and multiple realities in indigenous Ghanaian seine fisherfolk songs. His study investigated the emotional connection of fisherfolks to the ocean. His work showed that singing is an integral part of the daily activities of indigenous Ghanaian seine/artisanal fishers. Beyond the function of providing reference points for coordinated movement and helping ease the strenuous activities, music serves other purposes. The songs have pointers to identity issues, power/inequality, agency, gender, and beliefs about the ocean. The fishers create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice through the music. Dr Otchere produced a comprehensive documentary on the music that showed beliefs about their deep-seated connections to the ocean and showed all the other dimensions. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYKP13lFDEEZNCcP7UlohuTi5-hwL1Se/view?usp=drivesdk A high-level policy dialogue event was planned for April 2020 which sought to bring together relevant Ministries to engage them on the proposed Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Ghana, with the specific objectives to: • Seek policy coherence and to promote co-existence among maritime economic activities, as well as the protection of the marine environment • To demonstrate how the proposed MSP will promote a blue economy for Ghana. This event was rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions and will be organised in the first half of 2022. A workshop "Awareness creation on human rights issues for women in small scale fisheries" was organised on 16 November 2021 in Winneba, the Central Region of Ghana. The workshop objective was to inform, engage and collate the views of women fishers from Apam and Winneba on the challenges of the fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated mainly by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). The event report is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9pg51srgrslhk714hi17396tu; https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/. As a result of co-development of research and engagement activities that involve the Ghana Fisheries Commission, the primary implementer of legislative and policy reform in Ghana fisheries sector, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the University of Cape Coast and the Commission is being drafted. The Fisheries Commission is sharing data with Hub researchers, participating in stakeholder interviews, contributing to the design of workshops and policy briefs that are currently being prepared. Future training of judges and enforcement officers is also being planned. Webinars: • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches' webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 29 September 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=f5U4On_lZsk&t=4569s • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) and Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Winneba) presentation at the Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks webinar co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 12 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q&t=2103s • Dr Emmanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 30 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE&t=3s • Professor Kofi Nyarko (University of Cape Coast) presentation at the IMO's Maritime Week Day 2 Seminar: 'Ocean and Climate Change' on 24 September 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsVicHHv4E&t=3s • The nexus between tangible and intangible cultural heritage and ocean governance in Ghana: the case of canoe inscriptions, festivals and asafo companies, One Ocean Hub led webinar for the UN World Ocean Week 2021 on 9 June 2021 https://oneoceanhub.org/the-nexus-between-tangible-and-intangible-cultural-heritage-and-ocean-governance-in-ghana-the-case-of-canoe-inscriptions-festivals-and-asafo-companies/ • Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, Dr John Ansah, and Dr Emanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27 September 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s Blogposts: • Destructive fishing part I: defining destructive fisheries in a rounded manner, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing/ • Destructive fishing part II: determinants of destructive fisheries in contemporary practice, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing-part-ii-determinants-of-destructive-fisheries-in-contemporary-practice/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-1/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-2/ • European colonisation, law and indigenous marine dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/european-colonisation-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/ Outputs in progress: • Metageodatabase of Ghana's marine ecosystem. This database is being developed in partnership between Cefas (UK), University of Cape Coast, and the Environment Protection Authority (Ghana), and once developed will be hosted by the University of Cape Coast. • Ecosystem model of Ghana shelf Progress towards key outcomes in developing the 4 key outputs listed under 'contributions', we aim to increase capacity to implement these outputs to support integrated and sustainable ocean governance and sustainable livelihoods in Ghana. In achieving this, we are developing the networks to support capacity development, and co-developing these outputs with key stakeholders such that they are appropriately designed for immediate deployment. For example, the Environment Protection Authority has provided substantive inputs on 3 occasions to the design and scope of the metageodatabase, and has provided historic data for inclusion. Multidisciplinary collaboration involving various disciplines: law, sociology, geography, mathematic, fisheries science. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Sustainable and Equitable Fisheries-GHANA |
| Organisation | Scottish Association For Marine Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Around 10% of Ghana's jobs are directly related to fish production, the vast majority of which are associated with marine wild capture fisheries. Fish products are a primary source of protein to many Ghanaians, with as much as 75% of catches being processed and consumed locally. Annual fisheries production in Ghana currently meets around 45% of the needs of Ghana's population, with a considerable demand for imported products, mainly from countries like Senegal and Mauritania but also from Europe (countries such as Spain). The historic and subsistence importance of fish in Ghana, and the dependence upon fish imports, raises critical policy questions relating to food security and the significance of traditional diet and culture. Artisanal fishing overlaps to an undefined extent with subsistence fishing. The artisanal fisheries, which directly support around 107,000 jobs in Ghana are a loosely defined fleet of low- or unpowered wooden canoes, mainly targeting small pelagic stocks. These fisheries are widespread and hard to monitor, partly by dint of their 'open access' nature, which has seemingly led to considerable over-capacity. It is thought that present levels of artisanal fishing are unsustainable, as indicated by falls in some catches. However, strain on the artisanal sector could also be the result of stock catch being taken by other sectors, such as the semi-industrial sector. Included in this is the so-called 'Saiko' trade, where industrial trawlers sell bycatch to indigenous fishermen and land it illegally. This seriously undermines efforts to improve sustainability in the legal fishery. In 2017 it was estimated that around 100 kilotonnes of fish product was landed in this way, equivalent to 40% of the production of the artisanal sector, creating a considerable loss of state revenue and fishing opportunities for legal Ghanaian fishers. To address these challenges, Ghana's government is seeking to use an ecosystem-based management approach to recognize the full array of factors (including humans) and interactions (e.g., between organisms) relevant for fisheries development (https://mofad.gov.gh/fisheries-management-plan-of-ghana-2015-2019), also see Ghana News Agency report, 07.09.2017). As in many developing countries, the legislation (e.g., Ghana Fisheries Act 625) requiring ecosystem-based fisheries management was developed ahead of the science needed to assess fish stocks under the combined effects of fishing and global change factors. Presently, most studies focus on the effects of fishing . Knowledge, particularly on how feedback interactions between multiple global change factors affect key fish stocks is however, limited. Our interdisciplinary research aims to contribute to the knowledge gaps vis-à-vis ecosystem-based management targets outlined in Ghana's Fisheries Management Plan. Crucially, we aim to ensure that these are co-developed and implemented with artisanal fisher views, and consideration of the impact on their livelihoods (including consideration to supplementary livelihoods), the contribution of their customary systems and the protection of their human rights. To achieve this, area-based management approaches must be implemented through a pluralistic legal framework, accounting for both customary and national law. Towards achieving this, we are seeking to co-develop with key stakeholders: 1. A suite of tools to support integrated ecosystem-based marine spatial planning. 2. A pluralistic legal framework that is based on inclusive and participatory processes. 3. 'Solutions' to support the enforcement and compliance of fisheries laws. 4. Participatory approaches/methods for exploring alternative livelihoods to support poverty alleviation and enhanced wellbeing of artisanal fishing communities. In addition, the Hub's flexible fund enables the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisations with relevant expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. A flexible fund project begun (December 2020) to bring together researchers from University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and University of Energy and Natural Resources (Ghana), to address current challenges in hydrodynamic and oil spill response modelling capability in Ghana. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Fishery Management Plan for Ghana (2015-19) explicitly considers the need to establish area-based management tools (ABMTs, including marine protected areas), in line with its obligations to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Our partners in the Environmental Protection Agency and Ghanaian Fisheries Commission have provided insight into the data gaps which have necessitated a reliance on a precautionary approach. A precautionary approach is not effective at guiding specific decisions. The specific goals of ABMTs under the current fishery management plan are not clear. Furthermore, marine protected areas are not a panacea for improved fisheries management, without a concomitant decline in fishing effort, improvements to stock status or fisheries yields should not be expected. Our ongoing partnership will mean that we will have access to historic data and an ability to influence fisheries policy. In addition, in 2020, researchers at the University of Cape Coast Ghana, began a partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority to develop plans and approaches towards using marine tourism as an alternative livelihood strategy, to be responsive to any change in access to fish stocks. In order to provide the capacity to assess fish stocks and the ecosystem consequences of difference fisheries and environmental management scenarios, the Universities of Strathclyde and Cape Coast have collaborated on the development of two key modelling areas: 1) fish stock assessment and forecasting models, and 2) a marine ecosystem model. The Flexible Fund project between the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana (UENR), Sunyani, University of Cape Coast and the University of Strathclyde allowed UENR to replicate outputs on a University of Cape Coast computing system, extend them for a full annual cycle of hydrodynamics, and securely archive the outputs for the future (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18). The combined data on sediment sampling and hydrodynamics are being used to produce the first detailed seabed sediment map for the Ghana shelf. The capacity to model ocean currents, sea-levels, temperature and salinity, is also a key national capability for a maritime nation state. Access to these data is essential for rapid response to pollution events such as oil spills so as to direct resources to tackle the emergency; prediction of storm surges (especially for nations with low-lying coastal terrain); tracking the dispersal of litter; supporting advances in seabed habitat mapping and management; definition of connectivity between marine protected areas, and ecological understanding. Despite the extensive offshore oil industry, Ghana has up to now been lacking this national capability. Hence, in addition to providing data for the mapping of seabed sediments Flexible Funds have helped to secure hydrodynamic model outputs for the future. This will be a valuable contribution to improving Ghana's national capability in the marine field. Given the extensive offshore oil industry and importance of the marine environment to the Ghana economy it is important that the skills needed to respond to emergencies are available in-country. Throughout 2021, our partners at the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba have also engaged and collated the views of women fishers to improve women participation in informing fisheries decisions. Researchers based at the two organisations have explored opportunities and barriers to improve the protection of women's and children's rights in small-scale fisheries in Ghana. They found that in Ghana women in small-scale fisheries communities are most acutely affected by declining fish catch and poverty due to their limited access to resources and decision-making processes. Under this circumstance, there is a pressing need to improve national legal frameworks in the light of international human rights law to address class and gender discrimination, empowering women to realize their rights and enhancing the accountability of duty-bearers. In November 2021, a workshop was organised by Hub researchers and civil-society partner organisations in Ghana to bring together women working in small-scale fisheries from Apam and Winneba to discuss challenges that they face in fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). There is a plan to co-organise another workshop for women small-scale fishers in other two regions of Ghana in 2022 that involve the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and Hub partner organisations in South Africa. The three NGOs will become project partners of the Hub, and future workshops will also include pop-up legal clinics to provide immediate legal support to SSF women. Hub partners from Scottish Association for Marine Science are also collaborating with researchers from the University of Cape Coast to use a methodology for collecting microplastics that is relatively inexpensive and hence can be used by a Low-Middle-Income-Country to undertake microplastic collection. This partnership allows more studies on monitoring marine plastics to take place, more samples to be collected, and a greater understanding of the occurrence and the potential impact of microplastics in the environment, including their impacts towards sustainable fisheries. Access to the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer - Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR machine to identify plastic polymers) at the Scottish Association for Marine Science Lab will allow to identify the plastics extracted from different fish species in Ghana, with a view to identify plastic polymers, which is currently not possible in Ghana. Since March 2021, researchers based Heriot Watt University are working with our partners in Ghana in quantifying the role of mangrove detritus in fish diets in the Ghana coastal zone. Mangroves are vital for the provision of numerous ecosystem services. Threatened by rising populations in coastal areas: increased resource exploitation (wood extraction), land cover change (agriculture and urban expansion), and increased pollution (e.g. heavy metal pollution from gold mining) (Hall, 2021). Relatively little research has been done into the effect of degradation on the ability of ecosystems to function and provide these services, particularly within the mangroves of West Africa. |
| Impact | Cook, R; Acheampong E; Aggrey-Fynn J; Heath M. (2021a). A fleet based surplus production model that accounts for increases in fishing power with application to two West African pelagic stocks. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 2021.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106048 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred, (2021b). Assessment of small pelagic fish stocks in Ghanaian and adjacent waters (November 4, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.0b. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3956447 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred. (2021c). Assessment of Demersal Fish Stocks in Ghanaian and Adjacent Waters (November 16, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.03a. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3964757 Golo, H and Erinosho, B. Tackling the Challenges Confronting Women in the Elmina Fishing Community of Ghana: A Human Rights Framework. Submitted to Marine Policy in 2021. This paper was included in the FAO e-learning tool. Heath, M, Uba F, Sunyani. (2021). Hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kt3pd8islqbiem2n67v347927q Data from hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18 The collaboration has led to DeepFund awarded to Dr Eric Otchere of the University of Cape Coast a grant to research Cocooned in Harmony: Power, agency, and multiple realities in indigenous Ghanaian seine fisherfolk songs. His study investigated the emotional connection of fisherfolks to the ocean. His work showed that singing is an integral part of the daily activities of indigenous Ghanaian seine/artisanal fishers. Beyond the function of providing reference points for coordinated movement and helping ease the strenuous activities, music serves other purposes. The songs have pointers to identity issues, power/inequality, agency, gender, and beliefs about the ocean. The fishers create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice through the music. Dr Otchere produced a comprehensive documentary on the music that showed beliefs about their deep-seated connections to the ocean and showed all the other dimensions. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYKP13lFDEEZNCcP7UlohuTi5-hwL1Se/view?usp=drivesdk A high-level policy dialogue event was planned for April 2020 which sought to bring together relevant Ministries to engage them on the proposed Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Ghana, with the specific objectives to: • Seek policy coherence and to promote co-existence among maritime economic activities, as well as the protection of the marine environment • To demonstrate how the proposed MSP will promote a blue economy for Ghana. This event was rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions and will be organised in the first half of 2022. A workshop "Awareness creation on human rights issues for women in small scale fisheries" was organised on 16 November 2021 in Winneba, the Central Region of Ghana. The workshop objective was to inform, engage and collate the views of women fishers from Apam and Winneba on the challenges of the fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated mainly by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). The event report is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9pg51srgrslhk714hi17396tu; https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/. As a result of co-development of research and engagement activities that involve the Ghana Fisheries Commission, the primary implementer of legislative and policy reform in Ghana fisheries sector, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the University of Cape Coast and the Commission is being drafted. The Fisheries Commission is sharing data with Hub researchers, participating in stakeholder interviews, contributing to the design of workshops and policy briefs that are currently being prepared. Future training of judges and enforcement officers is also being planned. Webinars: • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches' webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 29 September 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=f5U4On_lZsk&t=4569s • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) and Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Winneba) presentation at the Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks webinar co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 12 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q&t=2103s • Dr Emmanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 30 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE&t=3s • Professor Kofi Nyarko (University of Cape Coast) presentation at the IMO's Maritime Week Day 2 Seminar: 'Ocean and Climate Change' on 24 September 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsVicHHv4E&t=3s • The nexus between tangible and intangible cultural heritage and ocean governance in Ghana: the case of canoe inscriptions, festivals and asafo companies, One Ocean Hub led webinar for the UN World Ocean Week 2021 on 9 June 2021 https://oneoceanhub.org/the-nexus-between-tangible-and-intangible-cultural-heritage-and-ocean-governance-in-ghana-the-case-of-canoe-inscriptions-festivals-and-asafo-companies/ • Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, Dr John Ansah, and Dr Emanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27 September 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s Blogposts: • Destructive fishing part I: defining destructive fisheries in a rounded manner, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing/ • Destructive fishing part II: determinants of destructive fisheries in contemporary practice, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing-part-ii-determinants-of-destructive-fisheries-in-contemporary-practice/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-1/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-2/ • European colonisation, law and indigenous marine dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/european-colonisation-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/ Outputs in progress: • Metageodatabase of Ghana's marine ecosystem. This database is being developed in partnership between Cefas (UK), University of Cape Coast, and the Environment Protection Authority (Ghana), and once developed will be hosted by the University of Cape Coast. • Ecosystem model of Ghana shelf Progress towards key outcomes in developing the 4 key outputs listed under 'contributions', we aim to increase capacity to implement these outputs to support integrated and sustainable ocean governance and sustainable livelihoods in Ghana. In achieving this, we are developing the networks to support capacity development, and co-developing these outputs with key stakeholders such that they are appropriately designed for immediate deployment. For example, the Environment Protection Authority has provided substantive inputs on 3 occasions to the design and scope of the metageodatabase, and has provided historic data for inclusion. Multidisciplinary collaboration involving various disciplines: law, sociology, geography, mathematic, fisheries science. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Sustainable and Equitable Fisheries-GHANA |
| Organisation | University of Education, Winneba |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Around 10% of Ghana's jobs are directly related to fish production, the vast majority of which are associated with marine wild capture fisheries. Fish products are a primary source of protein to many Ghanaians, with as much as 75% of catches being processed and consumed locally. Annual fisheries production in Ghana currently meets around 45% of the needs of Ghana's population, with a considerable demand for imported products, mainly from countries like Senegal and Mauritania but also from Europe (countries such as Spain). The historic and subsistence importance of fish in Ghana, and the dependence upon fish imports, raises critical policy questions relating to food security and the significance of traditional diet and culture. Artisanal fishing overlaps to an undefined extent with subsistence fishing. The artisanal fisheries, which directly support around 107,000 jobs in Ghana are a loosely defined fleet of low- or unpowered wooden canoes, mainly targeting small pelagic stocks. These fisheries are widespread and hard to monitor, partly by dint of their 'open access' nature, which has seemingly led to considerable over-capacity. It is thought that present levels of artisanal fishing are unsustainable, as indicated by falls in some catches. However, strain on the artisanal sector could also be the result of stock catch being taken by other sectors, such as the semi-industrial sector. Included in this is the so-called 'Saiko' trade, where industrial trawlers sell bycatch to indigenous fishermen and land it illegally. This seriously undermines efforts to improve sustainability in the legal fishery. In 2017 it was estimated that around 100 kilotonnes of fish product was landed in this way, equivalent to 40% of the production of the artisanal sector, creating a considerable loss of state revenue and fishing opportunities for legal Ghanaian fishers. To address these challenges, Ghana's government is seeking to use an ecosystem-based management approach to recognize the full array of factors (including humans) and interactions (e.g., between organisms) relevant for fisheries development (https://mofad.gov.gh/fisheries-management-plan-of-ghana-2015-2019), also see Ghana News Agency report, 07.09.2017). As in many developing countries, the legislation (e.g., Ghana Fisheries Act 625) requiring ecosystem-based fisheries management was developed ahead of the science needed to assess fish stocks under the combined effects of fishing and global change factors. Presently, most studies focus on the effects of fishing . Knowledge, particularly on how feedback interactions between multiple global change factors affect key fish stocks is however, limited. Our interdisciplinary research aims to contribute to the knowledge gaps vis-à-vis ecosystem-based management targets outlined in Ghana's Fisheries Management Plan. Crucially, we aim to ensure that these are co-developed and implemented with artisanal fisher views, and consideration of the impact on their livelihoods (including consideration to supplementary livelihoods), the contribution of their customary systems and the protection of their human rights. To achieve this, area-based management approaches must be implemented through a pluralistic legal framework, accounting for both customary and national law. Towards achieving this, we are seeking to co-develop with key stakeholders: 1. A suite of tools to support integrated ecosystem-based marine spatial planning. 2. A pluralistic legal framework that is based on inclusive and participatory processes. 3. 'Solutions' to support the enforcement and compliance of fisheries laws. 4. Participatory approaches/methods for exploring alternative livelihoods to support poverty alleviation and enhanced wellbeing of artisanal fishing communities. In addition, the Hub's flexible fund enables the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisations with relevant expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. A flexible fund project begun (December 2020) to bring together researchers from University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and University of Energy and Natural Resources (Ghana), to address current challenges in hydrodynamic and oil spill response modelling capability in Ghana. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Fishery Management Plan for Ghana (2015-19) explicitly considers the need to establish area-based management tools (ABMTs, including marine protected areas), in line with its obligations to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Our partners in the Environmental Protection Agency and Ghanaian Fisheries Commission have provided insight into the data gaps which have necessitated a reliance on a precautionary approach. A precautionary approach is not effective at guiding specific decisions. The specific goals of ABMTs under the current fishery management plan are not clear. Furthermore, marine protected areas are not a panacea for improved fisheries management, without a concomitant decline in fishing effort, improvements to stock status or fisheries yields should not be expected. Our ongoing partnership will mean that we will have access to historic data and an ability to influence fisheries policy. In addition, in 2020, researchers at the University of Cape Coast Ghana, began a partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority to develop plans and approaches towards using marine tourism as an alternative livelihood strategy, to be responsive to any change in access to fish stocks. In order to provide the capacity to assess fish stocks and the ecosystem consequences of difference fisheries and environmental management scenarios, the Universities of Strathclyde and Cape Coast have collaborated on the development of two key modelling areas: 1) fish stock assessment and forecasting models, and 2) a marine ecosystem model. The Flexible Fund project between the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana (UENR), Sunyani, University of Cape Coast and the University of Strathclyde allowed UENR to replicate outputs on a University of Cape Coast computing system, extend them for a full annual cycle of hydrodynamics, and securely archive the outputs for the future (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18). The combined data on sediment sampling and hydrodynamics are being used to produce the first detailed seabed sediment map for the Ghana shelf. The capacity to model ocean currents, sea-levels, temperature and salinity, is also a key national capability for a maritime nation state. Access to these data is essential for rapid response to pollution events such as oil spills so as to direct resources to tackle the emergency; prediction of storm surges (especially for nations with low-lying coastal terrain); tracking the dispersal of litter; supporting advances in seabed habitat mapping and management; definition of connectivity between marine protected areas, and ecological understanding. Despite the extensive offshore oil industry, Ghana has up to now been lacking this national capability. Hence, in addition to providing data for the mapping of seabed sediments Flexible Funds have helped to secure hydrodynamic model outputs for the future. This will be a valuable contribution to improving Ghana's national capability in the marine field. Given the extensive offshore oil industry and importance of the marine environment to the Ghana economy it is important that the skills needed to respond to emergencies are available in-country. Throughout 2021, our partners at the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba have also engaged and collated the views of women fishers to improve women participation in informing fisheries decisions. Researchers based at the two organisations have explored opportunities and barriers to improve the protection of women's and children's rights in small-scale fisheries in Ghana. They found that in Ghana women in small-scale fisheries communities are most acutely affected by declining fish catch and poverty due to their limited access to resources and decision-making processes. Under this circumstance, there is a pressing need to improve national legal frameworks in the light of international human rights law to address class and gender discrimination, empowering women to realize their rights and enhancing the accountability of duty-bearers. In November 2021, a workshop was organised by Hub researchers and civil-society partner organisations in Ghana to bring together women working in small-scale fisheries from Apam and Winneba to discuss challenges that they face in fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). There is a plan to co-organise another workshop for women small-scale fishers in other two regions of Ghana in 2022 that involve the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and Hub partner organisations in South Africa. The three NGOs will become project partners of the Hub, and future workshops will also include pop-up legal clinics to provide immediate legal support to SSF women. Hub partners from Scottish Association for Marine Science are also collaborating with researchers from the University of Cape Coast to use a methodology for collecting microplastics that is relatively inexpensive and hence can be used by a Low-Middle-Income-Country to undertake microplastic collection. This partnership allows more studies on monitoring marine plastics to take place, more samples to be collected, and a greater understanding of the occurrence and the potential impact of microplastics in the environment, including their impacts towards sustainable fisheries. Access to the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer - Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR machine to identify plastic polymers) at the Scottish Association for Marine Science Lab will allow to identify the plastics extracted from different fish species in Ghana, with a view to identify plastic polymers, which is currently not possible in Ghana. Since March 2021, researchers based Heriot Watt University are working with our partners in Ghana in quantifying the role of mangrove detritus in fish diets in the Ghana coastal zone. Mangroves are vital for the provision of numerous ecosystem services. Threatened by rising populations in coastal areas: increased resource exploitation (wood extraction), land cover change (agriculture and urban expansion), and increased pollution (e.g. heavy metal pollution from gold mining) (Hall, 2021). Relatively little research has been done into the effect of degradation on the ability of ecosystems to function and provide these services, particularly within the mangroves of West Africa. |
| Impact | Cook, R; Acheampong E; Aggrey-Fynn J; Heath M. (2021a). A fleet based surplus production model that accounts for increases in fishing power with application to two West African pelagic stocks. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 2021.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106048 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred, (2021b). Assessment of small pelagic fish stocks in Ghanaian and adjacent waters (November 4, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.0b. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3956447 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred. (2021c). Assessment of Demersal Fish Stocks in Ghanaian and Adjacent Waters (November 16, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.03a. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3964757 Golo, H and Erinosho, B. Tackling the Challenges Confronting Women in the Elmina Fishing Community of Ghana: A Human Rights Framework. Submitted to Marine Policy in 2021. This paper was included in the FAO e-learning tool. Heath, M, Uba F, Sunyani. (2021). Hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kt3pd8islqbiem2n67v347927q Data from hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18 The collaboration has led to DeepFund awarded to Dr Eric Otchere of the University of Cape Coast a grant to research Cocooned in Harmony: Power, agency, and multiple realities in indigenous Ghanaian seine fisherfolk songs. His study investigated the emotional connection of fisherfolks to the ocean. His work showed that singing is an integral part of the daily activities of indigenous Ghanaian seine/artisanal fishers. Beyond the function of providing reference points for coordinated movement and helping ease the strenuous activities, music serves other purposes. The songs have pointers to identity issues, power/inequality, agency, gender, and beliefs about the ocean. The fishers create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice through the music. Dr Otchere produced a comprehensive documentary on the music that showed beliefs about their deep-seated connections to the ocean and showed all the other dimensions. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYKP13lFDEEZNCcP7UlohuTi5-hwL1Se/view?usp=drivesdk A high-level policy dialogue event was planned for April 2020 which sought to bring together relevant Ministries to engage them on the proposed Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Ghana, with the specific objectives to: • Seek policy coherence and to promote co-existence among maritime economic activities, as well as the protection of the marine environment • To demonstrate how the proposed MSP will promote a blue economy for Ghana. This event was rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions and will be organised in the first half of 2022. A workshop "Awareness creation on human rights issues for women in small scale fisheries" was organised on 16 November 2021 in Winneba, the Central Region of Ghana. The workshop objective was to inform, engage and collate the views of women fishers from Apam and Winneba on the challenges of the fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated mainly by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). The event report is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9pg51srgrslhk714hi17396tu; https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/. As a result of co-development of research and engagement activities that involve the Ghana Fisheries Commission, the primary implementer of legislative and policy reform in Ghana fisheries sector, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the University of Cape Coast and the Commission is being drafted. The Fisheries Commission is sharing data with Hub researchers, participating in stakeholder interviews, contributing to the design of workshops and policy briefs that are currently being prepared. Future training of judges and enforcement officers is also being planned. Webinars: • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches' webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 29 September 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=f5U4On_lZsk&t=4569s • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) and Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Winneba) presentation at the Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks webinar co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 12 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q&t=2103s • Dr Emmanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 30 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE&t=3s • Professor Kofi Nyarko (University of Cape Coast) presentation at the IMO's Maritime Week Day 2 Seminar: 'Ocean and Climate Change' on 24 September 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsVicHHv4E&t=3s • The nexus between tangible and intangible cultural heritage and ocean governance in Ghana: the case of canoe inscriptions, festivals and asafo companies, One Ocean Hub led webinar for the UN World Ocean Week 2021 on 9 June 2021 https://oneoceanhub.org/the-nexus-between-tangible-and-intangible-cultural-heritage-and-ocean-governance-in-ghana-the-case-of-canoe-inscriptions-festivals-and-asafo-companies/ • Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, Dr John Ansah, and Dr Emanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27 September 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s Blogposts: • Destructive fishing part I: defining destructive fisheries in a rounded manner, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing/ • Destructive fishing part II: determinants of destructive fisheries in contemporary practice, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing-part-ii-determinants-of-destructive-fisheries-in-contemporary-practice/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-1/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-2/ • European colonisation, law and indigenous marine dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/european-colonisation-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/ Outputs in progress: • Metageodatabase of Ghana's marine ecosystem. This database is being developed in partnership between Cefas (UK), University of Cape Coast, and the Environment Protection Authority (Ghana), and once developed will be hosted by the University of Cape Coast. • Ecosystem model of Ghana shelf Progress towards key outcomes in developing the 4 key outputs listed under 'contributions', we aim to increase capacity to implement these outputs to support integrated and sustainable ocean governance and sustainable livelihoods in Ghana. In achieving this, we are developing the networks to support capacity development, and co-developing these outputs with key stakeholders such that they are appropriately designed for immediate deployment. For example, the Environment Protection Authority has provided substantive inputs on 3 occasions to the design and scope of the metageodatabase, and has provided historic data for inclusion. Multidisciplinary collaboration involving various disciplines: law, sociology, geography, mathematic, fisheries science. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Sustainable and Equitable Fisheries-GHANA |
| Organisation | University of Energy and Natural Resources |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Around 10% of Ghana's jobs are directly related to fish production, the vast majority of which are associated with marine wild capture fisheries. Fish products are a primary source of protein to many Ghanaians, with as much as 75% of catches being processed and consumed locally. Annual fisheries production in Ghana currently meets around 45% of the needs of Ghana's population, with a considerable demand for imported products, mainly from countries like Senegal and Mauritania but also from Europe (countries such as Spain). The historic and subsistence importance of fish in Ghana, and the dependence upon fish imports, raises critical policy questions relating to food security and the significance of traditional diet and culture. Artisanal fishing overlaps to an undefined extent with subsistence fishing. The artisanal fisheries, which directly support around 107,000 jobs in Ghana are a loosely defined fleet of low- or unpowered wooden canoes, mainly targeting small pelagic stocks. These fisheries are widespread and hard to monitor, partly by dint of their 'open access' nature, which has seemingly led to considerable over-capacity. It is thought that present levels of artisanal fishing are unsustainable, as indicated by falls in some catches. However, strain on the artisanal sector could also be the result of stock catch being taken by other sectors, such as the semi-industrial sector. Included in this is the so-called 'Saiko' trade, where industrial trawlers sell bycatch to indigenous fishermen and land it illegally. This seriously undermines efforts to improve sustainability in the legal fishery. In 2017 it was estimated that around 100 kilotonnes of fish product was landed in this way, equivalent to 40% of the production of the artisanal sector, creating a considerable loss of state revenue and fishing opportunities for legal Ghanaian fishers. To address these challenges, Ghana's government is seeking to use an ecosystem-based management approach to recognize the full array of factors (including humans) and interactions (e.g., between organisms) relevant for fisheries development (https://mofad.gov.gh/fisheries-management-plan-of-ghana-2015-2019), also see Ghana News Agency report, 07.09.2017). As in many developing countries, the legislation (e.g., Ghana Fisheries Act 625) requiring ecosystem-based fisheries management was developed ahead of the science needed to assess fish stocks under the combined effects of fishing and global change factors. Presently, most studies focus on the effects of fishing . Knowledge, particularly on how feedback interactions between multiple global change factors affect key fish stocks is however, limited. Our interdisciplinary research aims to contribute to the knowledge gaps vis-à-vis ecosystem-based management targets outlined in Ghana's Fisheries Management Plan. Crucially, we aim to ensure that these are co-developed and implemented with artisanal fisher views, and consideration of the impact on their livelihoods (including consideration to supplementary livelihoods), the contribution of their customary systems and the protection of their human rights. To achieve this, area-based management approaches must be implemented through a pluralistic legal framework, accounting for both customary and national law. Towards achieving this, we are seeking to co-develop with key stakeholders: 1. A suite of tools to support integrated ecosystem-based marine spatial planning. 2. A pluralistic legal framework that is based on inclusive and participatory processes. 3. 'Solutions' to support the enforcement and compliance of fisheries laws. 4. Participatory approaches/methods for exploring alternative livelihoods to support poverty alleviation and enhanced wellbeing of artisanal fishing communities. In addition, the Hub's flexible fund enables the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisations with relevant expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. A flexible fund project begun (December 2020) to bring together researchers from University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and University of Energy and Natural Resources (Ghana), to address current challenges in hydrodynamic and oil spill response modelling capability in Ghana. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Fishery Management Plan for Ghana (2015-19) explicitly considers the need to establish area-based management tools (ABMTs, including marine protected areas), in line with its obligations to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Our partners in the Environmental Protection Agency and Ghanaian Fisheries Commission have provided insight into the data gaps which have necessitated a reliance on a precautionary approach. A precautionary approach is not effective at guiding specific decisions. The specific goals of ABMTs under the current fishery management plan are not clear. Furthermore, marine protected areas are not a panacea for improved fisheries management, without a concomitant decline in fishing effort, improvements to stock status or fisheries yields should not be expected. Our ongoing partnership will mean that we will have access to historic data and an ability to influence fisheries policy. In addition, in 2020, researchers at the University of Cape Coast Ghana, began a partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority to develop plans and approaches towards using marine tourism as an alternative livelihood strategy, to be responsive to any change in access to fish stocks. In order to provide the capacity to assess fish stocks and the ecosystem consequences of difference fisheries and environmental management scenarios, the Universities of Strathclyde and Cape Coast have collaborated on the development of two key modelling areas: 1) fish stock assessment and forecasting models, and 2) a marine ecosystem model. The Flexible Fund project between the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana (UENR), Sunyani, University of Cape Coast and the University of Strathclyde allowed UENR to replicate outputs on a University of Cape Coast computing system, extend them for a full annual cycle of hydrodynamics, and securely archive the outputs for the future (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18). The combined data on sediment sampling and hydrodynamics are being used to produce the first detailed seabed sediment map for the Ghana shelf. The capacity to model ocean currents, sea-levels, temperature and salinity, is also a key national capability for a maritime nation state. Access to these data is essential for rapid response to pollution events such as oil spills so as to direct resources to tackle the emergency; prediction of storm surges (especially for nations with low-lying coastal terrain); tracking the dispersal of litter; supporting advances in seabed habitat mapping and management; definition of connectivity between marine protected areas, and ecological understanding. Despite the extensive offshore oil industry, Ghana has up to now been lacking this national capability. Hence, in addition to providing data for the mapping of seabed sediments Flexible Funds have helped to secure hydrodynamic model outputs for the future. This will be a valuable contribution to improving Ghana's national capability in the marine field. Given the extensive offshore oil industry and importance of the marine environment to the Ghana economy it is important that the skills needed to respond to emergencies are available in-country. Throughout 2021, our partners at the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba have also engaged and collated the views of women fishers to improve women participation in informing fisheries decisions. Researchers based at the two organisations have explored opportunities and barriers to improve the protection of women's and children's rights in small-scale fisheries in Ghana. They found that in Ghana women in small-scale fisheries communities are most acutely affected by declining fish catch and poverty due to their limited access to resources and decision-making processes. Under this circumstance, there is a pressing need to improve national legal frameworks in the light of international human rights law to address class and gender discrimination, empowering women to realize their rights and enhancing the accountability of duty-bearers. In November 2021, a workshop was organised by Hub researchers and civil-society partner organisations in Ghana to bring together women working in small-scale fisheries from Apam and Winneba to discuss challenges that they face in fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). There is a plan to co-organise another workshop for women small-scale fishers in other two regions of Ghana in 2022 that involve the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and Hub partner organisations in South Africa. The three NGOs will become project partners of the Hub, and future workshops will also include pop-up legal clinics to provide immediate legal support to SSF women. Hub partners from Scottish Association for Marine Science are also collaborating with researchers from the University of Cape Coast to use a methodology for collecting microplastics that is relatively inexpensive and hence can be used by a Low-Middle-Income-Country to undertake microplastic collection. This partnership allows more studies on monitoring marine plastics to take place, more samples to be collected, and a greater understanding of the occurrence and the potential impact of microplastics in the environment, including their impacts towards sustainable fisheries. Access to the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer - Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR machine to identify plastic polymers) at the Scottish Association for Marine Science Lab will allow to identify the plastics extracted from different fish species in Ghana, with a view to identify plastic polymers, which is currently not possible in Ghana. Since March 2021, researchers based Heriot Watt University are working with our partners in Ghana in quantifying the role of mangrove detritus in fish diets in the Ghana coastal zone. Mangroves are vital for the provision of numerous ecosystem services. Threatened by rising populations in coastal areas: increased resource exploitation (wood extraction), land cover change (agriculture and urban expansion), and increased pollution (e.g. heavy metal pollution from gold mining) (Hall, 2021). Relatively little research has been done into the effect of degradation on the ability of ecosystems to function and provide these services, particularly within the mangroves of West Africa. |
| Impact | Cook, R; Acheampong E; Aggrey-Fynn J; Heath M. (2021a). A fleet based surplus production model that accounts for increases in fishing power with application to two West African pelagic stocks. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 2021.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106048 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred, (2021b). Assessment of small pelagic fish stocks in Ghanaian and adjacent waters (November 4, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.0b. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3956447 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred. (2021c). Assessment of Demersal Fish Stocks in Ghanaian and Adjacent Waters (November 16, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.03a. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3964757 Golo, H and Erinosho, B. Tackling the Challenges Confronting Women in the Elmina Fishing Community of Ghana: A Human Rights Framework. Submitted to Marine Policy in 2021. This paper was included in the FAO e-learning tool. Heath, M, Uba F, Sunyani. (2021). Hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kt3pd8islqbiem2n67v347927q Data from hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18 The collaboration has led to DeepFund awarded to Dr Eric Otchere of the University of Cape Coast a grant to research Cocooned in Harmony: Power, agency, and multiple realities in indigenous Ghanaian seine fisherfolk songs. His study investigated the emotional connection of fisherfolks to the ocean. His work showed that singing is an integral part of the daily activities of indigenous Ghanaian seine/artisanal fishers. Beyond the function of providing reference points for coordinated movement and helping ease the strenuous activities, music serves other purposes. The songs have pointers to identity issues, power/inequality, agency, gender, and beliefs about the ocean. The fishers create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice through the music. Dr Otchere produced a comprehensive documentary on the music that showed beliefs about their deep-seated connections to the ocean and showed all the other dimensions. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYKP13lFDEEZNCcP7UlohuTi5-hwL1Se/view?usp=drivesdk A high-level policy dialogue event was planned for April 2020 which sought to bring together relevant Ministries to engage them on the proposed Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Ghana, with the specific objectives to: • Seek policy coherence and to promote co-existence among maritime economic activities, as well as the protection of the marine environment • To demonstrate how the proposed MSP will promote a blue economy for Ghana. This event was rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions and will be organised in the first half of 2022. A workshop "Awareness creation on human rights issues for women in small scale fisheries" was organised on 16 November 2021 in Winneba, the Central Region of Ghana. The workshop objective was to inform, engage and collate the views of women fishers from Apam and Winneba on the challenges of the fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated mainly by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). The event report is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9pg51srgrslhk714hi17396tu; https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/. As a result of co-development of research and engagement activities that involve the Ghana Fisheries Commission, the primary implementer of legislative and policy reform in Ghana fisheries sector, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the University of Cape Coast and the Commission is being drafted. The Fisheries Commission is sharing data with Hub researchers, participating in stakeholder interviews, contributing to the design of workshops and policy briefs that are currently being prepared. Future training of judges and enforcement officers is also being planned. Webinars: • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches' webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 29 September 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=f5U4On_lZsk&t=4569s • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) and Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Winneba) presentation at the Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks webinar co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 12 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q&t=2103s • Dr Emmanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 30 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE&t=3s • Professor Kofi Nyarko (University of Cape Coast) presentation at the IMO's Maritime Week Day 2 Seminar: 'Ocean and Climate Change' on 24 September 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsVicHHv4E&t=3s • The nexus between tangible and intangible cultural heritage and ocean governance in Ghana: the case of canoe inscriptions, festivals and asafo companies, One Ocean Hub led webinar for the UN World Ocean Week 2021 on 9 June 2021 https://oneoceanhub.org/the-nexus-between-tangible-and-intangible-cultural-heritage-and-ocean-governance-in-ghana-the-case-of-canoe-inscriptions-festivals-and-asafo-companies/ • Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, Dr John Ansah, and Dr Emanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27 September 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s Blogposts: • Destructive fishing part I: defining destructive fisheries in a rounded manner, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing/ • Destructive fishing part II: determinants of destructive fisheries in contemporary practice, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing-part-ii-determinants-of-destructive-fisheries-in-contemporary-practice/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-1/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-2/ • European colonisation, law and indigenous marine dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/european-colonisation-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/ Outputs in progress: • Metageodatabase of Ghana's marine ecosystem. This database is being developed in partnership between Cefas (UK), University of Cape Coast, and the Environment Protection Authority (Ghana), and once developed will be hosted by the University of Cape Coast. • Ecosystem model of Ghana shelf Progress towards key outcomes in developing the 4 key outputs listed under 'contributions', we aim to increase capacity to implement these outputs to support integrated and sustainable ocean governance and sustainable livelihoods in Ghana. In achieving this, we are developing the networks to support capacity development, and co-developing these outputs with key stakeholders such that they are appropriately designed for immediate deployment. For example, the Environment Protection Authority has provided substantive inputs on 3 occasions to the design and scope of the metageodatabase, and has provided historic data for inclusion. Multidisciplinary collaboration involving various disciplines: law, sociology, geography, mathematic, fisheries science. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Sustainable and Equitable Fisheries-GHANA |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Department | Mathematics and Statistics Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Around 10% of Ghana's jobs are directly related to fish production, the vast majority of which are associated with marine wild capture fisheries. Fish products are a primary source of protein to many Ghanaians, with as much as 75% of catches being processed and consumed locally. Annual fisheries production in Ghana currently meets around 45% of the needs of Ghana's population, with a considerable demand for imported products, mainly from countries like Senegal and Mauritania but also from Europe (countries such as Spain). The historic and subsistence importance of fish in Ghana, and the dependence upon fish imports, raises critical policy questions relating to food security and the significance of traditional diet and culture. Artisanal fishing overlaps to an undefined extent with subsistence fishing. The artisanal fisheries, which directly support around 107,000 jobs in Ghana are a loosely defined fleet of low- or unpowered wooden canoes, mainly targeting small pelagic stocks. These fisheries are widespread and hard to monitor, partly by dint of their 'open access' nature, which has seemingly led to considerable over-capacity. It is thought that present levels of artisanal fishing are unsustainable, as indicated by falls in some catches. However, strain on the artisanal sector could also be the result of stock catch being taken by other sectors, such as the semi-industrial sector. Included in this is the so-called 'Saiko' trade, where industrial trawlers sell bycatch to indigenous fishermen and land it illegally. This seriously undermines efforts to improve sustainability in the legal fishery. In 2017 it was estimated that around 100 kilotonnes of fish product was landed in this way, equivalent to 40% of the production of the artisanal sector, creating a considerable loss of state revenue and fishing opportunities for legal Ghanaian fishers. To address these challenges, Ghana's government is seeking to use an ecosystem-based management approach to recognize the full array of factors (including humans) and interactions (e.g., between organisms) relevant for fisheries development (https://mofad.gov.gh/fisheries-management-plan-of-ghana-2015-2019), also see Ghana News Agency report, 07.09.2017). As in many developing countries, the legislation (e.g., Ghana Fisheries Act 625) requiring ecosystem-based fisheries management was developed ahead of the science needed to assess fish stocks under the combined effects of fishing and global change factors. Presently, most studies focus on the effects of fishing . Knowledge, particularly on how feedback interactions between multiple global change factors affect key fish stocks is however, limited. Our interdisciplinary research aims to contribute to the knowledge gaps vis-à-vis ecosystem-based management targets outlined in Ghana's Fisheries Management Plan. Crucially, we aim to ensure that these are co-developed and implemented with artisanal fisher views, and consideration of the impact on their livelihoods (including consideration to supplementary livelihoods), the contribution of their customary systems and the protection of their human rights. To achieve this, area-based management approaches must be implemented through a pluralistic legal framework, accounting for both customary and national law. Towards achieving this, we are seeking to co-develop with key stakeholders: 1. A suite of tools to support integrated ecosystem-based marine spatial planning. 2. A pluralistic legal framework that is based on inclusive and participatory processes. 3. 'Solutions' to support the enforcement and compliance of fisheries laws. 4. Participatory approaches/methods for exploring alternative livelihoods to support poverty alleviation and enhanced wellbeing of artisanal fishing communities. In addition, the Hub's flexible fund enables the Hub to be adaptive and responsive to in-country needs and seek partnerships with organisations with relevant expertise and influence that contribute to the Hub's impact goals. A flexible fund project begun (December 2020) to bring together researchers from University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and University of Energy and Natural Resources (Ghana), to address current challenges in hydrodynamic and oil spill response modelling capability in Ghana. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Fishery Management Plan for Ghana (2015-19) explicitly considers the need to establish area-based management tools (ABMTs, including marine protected areas), in line with its obligations to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Our partners in the Environmental Protection Agency and Ghanaian Fisheries Commission have provided insight into the data gaps which have necessitated a reliance on a precautionary approach. A precautionary approach is not effective at guiding specific decisions. The specific goals of ABMTs under the current fishery management plan are not clear. Furthermore, marine protected areas are not a panacea for improved fisheries management, without a concomitant decline in fishing effort, improvements to stock status or fisheries yields should not be expected. Our ongoing partnership will mean that we will have access to historic data and an ability to influence fisheries policy. In addition, in 2020, researchers at the University of Cape Coast Ghana, began a partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority to develop plans and approaches towards using marine tourism as an alternative livelihood strategy, to be responsive to any change in access to fish stocks. In order to provide the capacity to assess fish stocks and the ecosystem consequences of difference fisheries and environmental management scenarios, the Universities of Strathclyde and Cape Coast have collaborated on the development of two key modelling areas: 1) fish stock assessment and forecasting models, and 2) a marine ecosystem model. The Flexible Fund project between the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana (UENR), Sunyani, University of Cape Coast and the University of Strathclyde allowed UENR to replicate outputs on a University of Cape Coast computing system, extend them for a full annual cycle of hydrodynamics, and securely archive the outputs for the future (https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18). The combined data on sediment sampling and hydrodynamics are being used to produce the first detailed seabed sediment map for the Ghana shelf. The capacity to model ocean currents, sea-levels, temperature and salinity, is also a key national capability for a maritime nation state. Access to these data is essential for rapid response to pollution events such as oil spills so as to direct resources to tackle the emergency; prediction of storm surges (especially for nations with low-lying coastal terrain); tracking the dispersal of litter; supporting advances in seabed habitat mapping and management; definition of connectivity between marine protected areas, and ecological understanding. Despite the extensive offshore oil industry, Ghana has up to now been lacking this national capability. Hence, in addition to providing data for the mapping of seabed sediments Flexible Funds have helped to secure hydrodynamic model outputs for the future. This will be a valuable contribution to improving Ghana's national capability in the marine field. Given the extensive offshore oil industry and importance of the marine environment to the Ghana economy it is important that the skills needed to respond to emergencies are available in-country. Throughout 2021, our partners at the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba have also engaged and collated the views of women fishers to improve women participation in informing fisheries decisions. Researchers based at the two organisations have explored opportunities and barriers to improve the protection of women's and children's rights in small-scale fisheries in Ghana. They found that in Ghana women in small-scale fisheries communities are most acutely affected by declining fish catch and poverty due to their limited access to resources and decision-making processes. Under this circumstance, there is a pressing need to improve national legal frameworks in the light of international human rights law to address class and gender discrimination, empowering women to realize their rights and enhancing the accountability of duty-bearers. In November 2021, a workshop was organised by Hub researchers and civil-society partner organisations in Ghana to bring together women working in small-scale fisheries from Apam and Winneba to discuss challenges that they face in fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). There is a plan to co-organise another workshop for women small-scale fishers in other two regions of Ghana in 2022 that involve the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) and Hub partner organisations in South Africa. The three NGOs will become project partners of the Hub, and future workshops will also include pop-up legal clinics to provide immediate legal support to SSF women. Hub partners from Scottish Association for Marine Science are also collaborating with researchers from the University of Cape Coast to use a methodology for collecting microplastics that is relatively inexpensive and hence can be used by a Low-Middle-Income-Country to undertake microplastic collection. This partnership allows more studies on monitoring marine plastics to take place, more samples to be collected, and a greater understanding of the occurrence and the potential impact of microplastics in the environment, including their impacts towards sustainable fisheries. Access to the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer - Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR machine to identify plastic polymers) at the Scottish Association for Marine Science Lab will allow to identify the plastics extracted from different fish species in Ghana, with a view to identify plastic polymers, which is currently not possible in Ghana. Since March 2021, researchers based Heriot Watt University are working with our partners in Ghana in quantifying the role of mangrove detritus in fish diets in the Ghana coastal zone. Mangroves are vital for the provision of numerous ecosystem services. Threatened by rising populations in coastal areas: increased resource exploitation (wood extraction), land cover change (agriculture and urban expansion), and increased pollution (e.g. heavy metal pollution from gold mining) (Hall, 2021). Relatively little research has been done into the effect of degradation on the ability of ecosystems to function and provide these services, particularly within the mangroves of West Africa. |
| Impact | Cook, R; Acheampong E; Aggrey-Fynn J; Heath M. (2021a). A fleet based surplus production model that accounts for increases in fishing power with application to two West African pelagic stocks. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 2021.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106048 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred, (2021b). Assessment of small pelagic fish stocks in Ghanaian and adjacent waters (November 4, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.0b. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3956447 Cook, Robin and Nyarko, Benjamin Kofi and Aggrey-Fynn, Joseph and Acheampong, Emmanuel and Asiedu, Godfred. (2021c). Assessment of Demersal Fish Stocks in Ghanaian and Adjacent Waters (November 16, 2021). One Ocean Hub Report Gh.3.03a. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3964757 Golo, H and Erinosho, B. Tackling the Challenges Confronting Women in the Elmina Fishing Community of Ghana: A Human Rights Framework. Submitted to Marine Policy in 2021. This paper was included in the FAO e-learning tool. Heath, M, Uba F, Sunyani. (2021). Hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kt3pd8islqbiem2n67v347927q Data from hydrodynamic modelling of the Ghana shelf and ocean waters. https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/cube/documents/162099/1990033?18 The collaboration has led to DeepFund awarded to Dr Eric Otchere of the University of Cape Coast a grant to research Cocooned in Harmony: Power, agency, and multiple realities in indigenous Ghanaian seine fisherfolk songs. His study investigated the emotional connection of fisherfolks to the ocean. His work showed that singing is an integral part of the daily activities of indigenous Ghanaian seine/artisanal fishers. Beyond the function of providing reference points for coordinated movement and helping ease the strenuous activities, music serves other purposes. The songs have pointers to identity issues, power/inequality, agency, gender, and beliefs about the ocean. The fishers create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice through the music. Dr Otchere produced a comprehensive documentary on the music that showed beliefs about their deep-seated connections to the ocean and showed all the other dimensions. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYKP13lFDEEZNCcP7UlohuTi5-hwL1Se/view?usp=drivesdk A high-level policy dialogue event was planned for April 2020 which sought to bring together relevant Ministries to engage them on the proposed Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Ghana, with the specific objectives to: • Seek policy coherence and to promote co-existence among maritime economic activities, as well as the protection of the marine environment • To demonstrate how the proposed MSP will promote a blue economy for Ghana. This event was rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions and will be organised in the first half of 2022. A workshop "Awareness creation on human rights issues for women in small scale fisheries" was organised on 16 November 2021 in Winneba, the Central Region of Ghana. The workshop objective was to inform, engage and collate the views of women fishers from Apam and Winneba on the challenges of the fisheries sector. The workshop was facilitated mainly by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). The event report is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/j9pg51srgrslhk714hi17396tu; https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/. As a result of co-development of research and engagement activities that involve the Ghana Fisheries Commission, the primary implementer of legislative and policy reform in Ghana fisheries sector, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the University of Cape Coast and the Commission is being drafted. The Fisheries Commission is sharing data with Hub researchers, participating in stakeholder interviews, contributing to the design of workshops and policy briefs that are currently being prepared. Future training of judges and enforcement officers is also being planned. Webinars: • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Domestic Customary Law & Ocean Governance: An Introduction to Different Perspectives and Approaches' webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 29 September 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=f5U4On_lZsk&t=4569s • Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast) and Dr Harrison Golo (University of Education, Winneba) presentation at the Small-Scale Fisheries and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks webinar co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 12 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q&t=2103s • Dr Emmanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at Oceans and Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation webinar for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni capacity building session on 30 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR9cHUQ9WE&t=3s • Professor Kofi Nyarko (University of Cape Coast) presentation at the IMO's Maritime Week Day 2 Seminar: 'Ocean and Climate Change' on 24 September 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsVicHHv4E&t=3s • The nexus between tangible and intangible cultural heritage and ocean governance in Ghana: the case of canoe inscriptions, festivals and asafo companies, One Ocean Hub led webinar for the UN World Ocean Week 2021 on 9 June 2021 https://oneoceanhub.org/the-nexus-between-tangible-and-intangible-cultural-heritage-and-ocean-governance-in-ghana-the-case-of-canoe-inscriptions-festivals-and-asafo-companies/ • Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, Dr John Ansah, and Dr Emanuel Acheampong (University of Cape Coast) presentation at 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' webinar for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series on 27 September 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4&t=472s Blogposts: • Destructive fishing part I: defining destructive fisheries in a rounded manner, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing/ • Destructive fishing part II: determinants of destructive fisheries in contemporary practice, https://oneoceanhub.org/destructive-fishing-part-ii-determinants-of-destructive-fisheries-in-contemporary-practice/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part One), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-1/ • Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group - The Story So Far (Part Two), https://oneoceanhub.org/the-story-so-far-part-2/ • European colonisation, law and indigenous marine dispossession, https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/european-colonisation-law-and-indigenous-marine-dispossession/ Outputs in progress: • Metageodatabase of Ghana's marine ecosystem. This database is being developed in partnership between Cefas (UK), University of Cape Coast, and the Environment Protection Authority (Ghana), and once developed will be hosted by the University of Cape Coast. • Ecosystem model of Ghana shelf Progress towards key outcomes in developing the 4 key outputs listed under 'contributions', we aim to increase capacity to implement these outputs to support integrated and sustainable ocean governance and sustainable livelihoods in Ghana. In achieving this, we are developing the networks to support capacity development, and co-developing these outputs with key stakeholders such that they are appropriately designed for immediate deployment. For example, the Environment Protection Authority has provided substantive inputs on 3 occasions to the design and scope of the metageodatabase, and has provided historic data for inclusion. Multidisciplinary collaboration involving various disciplines: law, sociology, geography, mathematic, fisheries science. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Sustaining South Africa's Small Scale Fishing Communities: balancing multiple fisheries and the blue economy |
| Organisation | Durban University of Technology |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Small-scale fishers (SSFs) play a critical role in contributing to food security, poverty alleviation and rural development globally. In South Africa, there exist at least 147 fishing communities, comprising approximating 30,000 households, approximately 53% of which are found to be food insecure (Sowman 2006). Supporting and enabling sustainable subsistence fishing is critical to addressing widespread issues of food insecurity and poverty among South Africa's fishing communities. The Hub's Empatheatre project (led by Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre) identified multiple complex and connected challenges facing SSFs in South Africa, notably: • Access to resources: due to competition with the recreational sector (a sector with 730k participants annually, and which holds disproportionate access to marine resources) and the commercial fishing industry. • Access to coast: coastal developments (which have increased in both number and development rate under the South Africa Government's blue economy 'Operational Phakisa') have reduced the ability of, or even prevented, SSFs and other coastal communities from accessing the coast. • Lack of recognition of customary rights, leading to multiple human rights violations; • Inadequate public participation in decision-making spaces on marine management, resulting in the rights and views of SSFs and coastal communities being overlooked. • Issues are cross-cutting across multiple ocean sectors, creating multiple connected tensions between SSFs, coastal communities and recreational fishers, and other blue economy developments, most notably the extractive industries (both onshore coastal mining, and offshore mineral and oil and gas extraction). The Empatheatre project and consultations with civil society partners identified the need and opportunity to develop a Knowledge Action Network for monitoring Blue Economy developments in South Africa, and develop a multidisciplinary response to the challenges facing SSFs in accessing knowledge and support networks to engage and challenge decisions which affected their access to coast and resources, placing them in a position of food insecurity and poverty, as well at times, as being unduly criminalised. Throughout 2020-2023, the One Ocean Hub has provided innovative methodologies, new inter-disciplinary findings, as well as a forum, facilitation support and infrastructure to bring together cross-sectoral stakeholders to work collaboratively with SSF to address these challenges. The responsive and iterative nature of the Hub work has enabled us to ensure that our research is deeply rooted in the context, and driven by SSF communities' challenges, while exploring opportunities for changes across scales (including internationally). At the same time, this approach has developed innovative collaborations among our academic partners, who were not originally proposed to work directly together on these issues. In fact, some of the research institutions has, prior to the establishment of the Hub, worked in relative isolation in South Africa, and often in conflict with one another, further exacerbating the issue at policy level as recommendations are based on the findings of single disciplines. Bringing together the social sciences, natural science, humanities, arts and law, the Hub has been able to co-develop a transdisciplinary approach that has allowed SSF communities to strategize together (for the first time nation-wide) and take an interconnected approach to the multiple, complex challenges faced on the ground in real time, and collaborate directly with civil society groups to build networks of solidarity, and offer solutions that balance conservation, community needs, and economics. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University (Faculty of Law), South Africa; Nelson Mandela University (Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR), South Africa; Nelson Mandela University (Centre for Post School Education and Training (CIPSET), South Africa; Rhodes University (Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC); University of Cape Town (Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences), South Africa; Durban University of Technology; South Africa; Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Coastal Justice Network, South Africa; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; ETC, South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | While there are organised groups of fishers responding to fisheries policies and regulations, environmental justice activists responding to extractive industries, conservationists responding to threats to marine biodiversity, these different groups seldom come together, do not all have trusted relationships with researchers, and may even be adversarial towards each other. Lines of race, class, discipline and livelihood concerns are quite firmly entrenched and seldom crossed. The rapid development of the Blue Economy in South Africa, initially through 'Operation Phakisa', and more recently the Ocean Economy National Plan, has necessitated a more integrated and rapid response to ocean governance and wellbeing from concerned citizens, while facing additional challenges to public participation brought about by the pandemic. Initial findings from the Empatheatre research and engagements were discussed by all South African research partners and some UK research partners at the Port Elizabeth conference on transformed and transformative ocean governance (January 2020), where SSF and civil society representatives discuss how to develop a knowledge action network for bringing together beneficiaries and academics in addressing the sustainable development challenges of the blue economy. This network, which is now called the "Coastal Justice Network" (CJN) has been supported by the One Ocean Hub through the provision of data for fishers to engage via the social media platform WhatsApp, which has been coordinated by Hub researchers as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brough about: 1) limitations to in-person meetings between researchers and fishers and 2) moving of public participation in decision-making processes online, with further challenges for fishers to gain access and share crucial information during the crisis. The network has connected SSFs with key civil society groups, including legal aid professionals in South Africa, effectively acting as a bridge for SSFs in getting the support they need to respond to ongoing challenges. Hub researchers' facilitation of the network entails: • Connecting fishers across provinces and regions; • Providing a deeper understanding of coastal (in)justices and relevant decision-making processes; • Providing support for relational networks to grow; and • Facilitating knowledge flow through informing important meetings, ummarizing meeting outputs, translating and interpreting information which affects fishers' rights, and access to coast and resource. Rhodes University, Environmental Learning Research Centre, and University of Cape Town (Department of Geography and Environmental Science) and Durban University of Technology (DUT) - which made significant in-kind contributions of time and resources in opening access to civil society networks, data collection and analysis as well as report writing) have supported the creation of the Coastal Justice Network to include expertise in: • Fisheries law (Nelson Mandela University) directly contributing through Hub resources to understanding the legal tensions between small-scale and recreational fisheries in the implementation of the small scale fishing policy in South Africa. • Institute of Coastal and Marine Research (Nelson Mandela University) examining and advancing the integration of different knowledge in managing South Africa's Algoa Bay, with particular focus on mapping culturally significant areas to inform marine spatial planning in the Bay. Researchers are working closely with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds local conservancies, small-scale fishers and recreational fishers cooperatives to ensure knowledge of small-scale fishers and traditional holders is included in decisions on blue economy development. • Fisheries science (Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science): examining South Africa's marine recreational fishery, with particular focus on legal tensions with small-scale fishery in the implementation of the South African SSF Policy (in collaboration with NMU), issues of compliance, monitoring and management. • Integrated coastal management and social justice (University of Cape Town): Examining the impacts of the blue economy on coastal communities. Understanding the narratives, strategy and impacts on the ground. • A community-research partnership with 12 fisher leaders (4 women, 8 men) and University of Cape Town (Department of Geography and Environmental Science) has facilitated training of fisher leaders in qualitative research methodologies. Each leader has conducted 10 interviews enabling the team to obtain a snapshot of fishers' views from 120 fishers in all four coastal provinces, and is feeding directly into research under the Hub. Researchers at the University of Cape Town provided funding for direct support to small-scale fishers on legal work through Legal Resources Centre. Key civil society organisations (CSOs) contributing to the network include: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance; Centre for Environmental Rights; and Legal Resources Centre, Masifundise Development Trust, Centre for Environmental Rights, Protect the West Coast, Legal Resources Centre, Oceans not Oil, and Green Connections. We are currently exploring the allocation of Hub budget to some of these CSOs to become project partners. DUT became an official project partner of the Hub in 2020 and will become a research partner from April 2022. Since 2021, through the CJN researchers based at Rhodes University, University of Cape Town and Durban University of Technology have worked with small-scale fishers and CSOs named above to review legal decision that negatively impacted small-scale fishers (e.g. decision to grant environmental authorization to mine heavy mineral sands and to carry out seismic survey) and prepared an affidavit on cumulative impacts for urgent interdict against companies (e.g. Searcher Geodata PTY Ltd) who received environmental authorization to undertake a seismic survey on west coast of South Africa in search of oil and gas. This provided an opportunity for Hub researchers to inform human rights litigation that local legal-aid NGOs such as the Legal Resources Centre were initiating with small-scale fishing communities. This has led to two judicial decisions to suspend seismic surveys on the basis of the integrated evidence base provided by the CJN. On 28 December 2021, the Makhanda High Court delivered its judgment, granting an interim interdict to suspend seismic survey by planned by Shell Exploration and Production South Africa BV, Impact Africa Ltd, and BG International Ltd and on 1 March 2022, the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town ruled against Australian geoscience data supplier Searcher, after the judge concluded that the company did not adequately consult with local communities before starting seismic testing (Vrancken, 2022; Sunde, 2022; for more background information see also: https://bit.ly/3CyN77Q). Meanwhile, Hub researchers based at Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, have worked with Port Elizabeth Deep Sea Angling Club (PEDSAC) to study issues of compliance, monitoring and management of recreational fishery. Researchers at Rhodes served as scientific advisors on competition rules and media engagement at PEDSAC to promote pro- environmental behavioural intervention on deep sea anglers (including improved competition rules to minimise impact and improved CatchRlease behaviour). Following the intervention, the PEDSAC annual competition is exclusively catch and release, except for a few species. Changes have been made to the boats and downriggers to improve release technique. As a result of this conservation ethic, sponsors have doubled. Consequently, the Rhodes University fisheries science team has been invited to other deep-water clubs in Kwa-Zulu-Natal. Throughout 2021, researchers at Nelson Mandela University have engaged municipal officials to promote the integration of knowledge of small-scale fishers and traditional knowledge holders in marine spatial planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa. They are working with small-scale fishers, recreational fishers and indigenous knowledge holders to co-develop research and invite these stakeholders to share their knowledge of culturally significant places in Algoa Bay through storytelling and photography. This partnership has received international recognition by being invited to feature in the inaugural UNEP and GNHRE Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment in 2021;, the UN global and African consultations on environmental human rights defenders in 2021; and different panels for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School 2022-2023 and the IUCN seminar series (listed at the "outcomes" section below). This collaboration has generated policy impacts. At national level, the Empatheatre's play titled "Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) has now been used as evidence in the courts of law to appeal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) results. The range of evidence that emerged from the play's tour allowed us to gather expert views from a range of disciplines (fisheries, marine ecology, heritage, international human rights law, and international investment law) to offer integrated evidence to support community views. Feedback from the play was used to highlight the communities' intangible heritage of and emotional and spiritual connections with the ocean. The play has been used to support successful appeals to licenses for offshore oil and gas exploration through seismic surveys, which negatively affect marine life and the livelihoods and culture of coastal fishing communities. Exploration rights on the Wild Coast granted to Shell and Impact Africa were successfully contested on the grounds of inadequate consultation with communities and failure to consider their impacts on those communities, including to intangible culture. The legal affidavits included evidencefrom the Hub's marine and social sciences research as well as the voices of communities captured through script co-development and audience participation in Lalela uLwandle. A first interdict in December 2021 represented a key victory for the community, with the judiciary relying on Hub artistic outputs to evidence intangible cultural heritage that had been disregarded in previous consultations on ocean use. A judgement in September 2022 was widely reported in international media for its historical importance in recognising: 1) the crucial role of coastal communities as ocean custodians, including at the ocean-climate nexus; 2)the sacred nature of this relationship in terms of cultural human rights; and 3) the need to protect the participatory rights of these communities in environmental impact assessments and decision making on the ocean. This is the first time that art and theatre have been used as evidence to embody intangible heritage of our oceans in South African courts. It has established a new legal precedent: the South African judiciary recognises the sacred relationship of the ocean as a realm for the ancestors. This opens up the role that art can play in supporting Indigenous knowledge in national and international jurisprudence (More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf). At international level, the findings, experience and practices from this collaboration have been shared at various international processes including the UN World Oceans Day in 2021 and 2022, the Climate COP27 in 2022, and the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) in 2023. The Hub's contributions to the UN World Oceans Day and the Closing of IYAFA has been reported under separate entries titled "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers" and "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance." At Climate COP27 in Egypt "Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)" session at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) explored how we may start to build resilience and adaptation to climate change through environmentally just and equitable processes. It highlighted that we need to make decisions about the oceans that are inclusive of diverse forms of knowledge to achieve just and equitable climate change resilience and adaptation processes. The UNFCCC's Capacity-Building Hub moderators said "the Empatheatre performance felt like the most important experience they had had at COP27[it helped] feeling the problems, not just rationalising them" (https://bit.ly/3NpIDrt). The collaboration has also brought significant societal impacts, particulary in providing capacity building and training for government officials, civil society, academics and general publics on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa's interests, needs and human rights. In total, all our online and in-person capacity building sessions and events listed under "outcomes" section have reached 1375 people. In 2020 and 2021, the Empatheatre team has co-developed with small-scale fishers, youth, and other ocean stakeholders in South Africa two plays titled "Lalela Ulwandle (Listen to the Sea)" and "Umkhosi Wenala (Festival of Abundance)" that offered an innovative participatory decision making space where small-scale fishers and rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of marine protected areas (MPAs) and decision making surrounding ocean governance issues. The UNFCCC's Capacity-Building Hub moderators said "the Empatheatre performance felt like the most important experience they had had at COP27[it helped] feeling the problems, not just rationalising them." (https://bit.ly/3NpIDrt). As part of the Empatheatre methodology, each performance is followed by a facilitated public discussion with researchers, performers, decision makers, and the audience on the themes emerging from the play. At all performances, a short feedback form is completed by the audience asking how the play made them feel, whether there were any characters in the play they related to and why, and how we should make decisions about the oceans. We now have audience feedback data spanning three years of performances: 875 forms in total. Media impact (print, online, and broadcast) reached over one million people, broadening public dialogue around ocean decision-making on the Kwa-Zulu-Natal (KZN) coastline. The Umkhosi Wenala production brought together over 500 different knowledge holders who participated in post-show discussions. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality as the themes of gender inequality are introduced across all webinars, capacity building sessions and theatre plays co-developed as part of this partnership. From a gender perspective, these events spoke to a predominantly female audience. For example, around 56 per cent of participants attending the Empatheatre tours in South Africa and webinar and capacity building sessions were women. On average around 63 per cent of participants of webinars of organized as part of this collaboration were also women. This is calculated based on events where data on participants' gender was available (e.g. the awareness-raising event at UN World Oceans Week 2021 (June 2021) "Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods" and the high-level event "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" at UN World Ocean Week 2022 with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Rapporteur on Environment and Human Rights (June 2022). This is common in other Hub events where we tend to speak to a predominately female audience which is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. |
| Impact | Key outputs of this collaboration to date: Small Scale Fishing (SSF) Community Capacity building • 12 SSF leaders trained in qualitative research methodologies. A report of the resulting research (based on data from 120 fishers) is currently in development (mid 2021) • Accessible resources for coastal communities detailing their rights in the context of blue economy developments (these have been produced in both English and isiZulu) • Providing direct support to communities to enable them to respond to written consultations on blue economy developments • Active (ongoing) solidarity and learning network of small-scale fisher leaders from across South Africa. Artistic and Media Outputs • Empatheatre performance Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Lalela uLwandle radio play: https://www.empatheatre.com/listen-to-our-lalela-ulwandle-radio-play • Lalela uLwandle (illustrated short film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_W3QBz9cPY • The Blue Blanket: An Illustrated Poem animation film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk • Following Eddie: Short film exploring the challenges of small-scale fishers accessing the ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_r_swTOhlA • Fishers' Tales website: https://fisherstales.org/ • Umkhosi Wenala play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Indlela Yokuphila - The Soul's Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10 • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Defenders of the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY • Mpume Mthombeni's performance - Spotlight Blue Perspectives, UN World Oceans Day celebrations, 2023, New York https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU • Fisher tales, https://fisherstales.org/ • 'The Sea is my Farm...' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0sDPl5HdPA • 'A Dwindling Species' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F_m5IEgvSU&t=19s • 'In a Perfect World' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEmkOZu-qUg&t=34s • 'A Fishing Heritage in Peril' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYFVS7YNxA4 • 'The Art of Fishing' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2wPPII1Fp0&t=14s • The Blue Blanket, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA • Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey (ZULU), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10 In collaboration with Green Connections, a community-based organisation concerned with upholding constitutional rights and raising awareness about these rights among coastal communities especially in relation to blue economy project, Professor Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town) has developed two videos that raise awareness about Environmental Impact Assessment and when and how communities need to be consulted and involved. The videos have been translated into two coastal languages (Xhosa and Afrikaans). • What is an Environmental Impact Assessment: https://youtu.be/eTU66B_KAXI • Environmental Impact Assessment within the Oil and Gas Industry (English): https://youtu.be/ZNhrkNaytFY Webinars • COVID-19 impacts on the South African Small-Scale Fisheries Sector, a capacity building session for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 co-organised with the UNDOALOS. This event was attended by 50 attendees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Small Scale Fishers and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks a capacity building session for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 co-organised with the UNDOALOS. This event was attended by 62 attendees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • the awareness-raising event at UN World Oceans Week 2021 (June 2021) "Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5yOIh-4ZpU The event was attended by 54 attendees. • the high-level event "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" at UN World Ocean Week 2022 with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Rapporteur on Environment and Human Rights (June 2022). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_oThe event was attended by 52 attendees. • "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14 November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s The event was attended by 41 attendees. • Hub researchers Dr Jackie Sunde and Julia Nakamura presentations at the FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W87bgDcgiKc. The event was attended by 100 attendees. Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • "The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers," 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • "Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders," 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 & IUCN webinar series. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by 101 attendees. During the IYAFA Closing 2023, the Hub co-organised and/or contributed to the following programme of events on 29-31 March 2023. Attendance at the IYAFA Closing events 2023 listed below totalled 469. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard." • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers." . View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s • Friday, 31 March 2023, "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries." • Friday, 31 March 2023, "Empatheatre performance Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)." View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658 • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from FAO Flick account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496 Publication outputs to date: Sowman, M., Mbatha, P. and von Holdt J. Strategies for addressing conflicts arising from blue growth initiatives: insights from three case studies in South Africa. Maritime Studies, Vol. 22: 51 Pereira, T. and Erwin, K. 2023. Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice. Ecosystems and People, Vol. 19:1 Cast Out: The Systematic Exclusion of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Subsistence Fishers From The Fishing Rights Regime in South Africa. Sunde, J; Erwin K. Consultancy Policy Research Report for South Durban Community Environmental Alliance. 2021. https://sdcea.co.za/download/cast-out-the-systematic-exclusion-of-the-kwa-zulu-natal-subsistence-fishers-from-the-fishing-rights-regime-in-south-africa/ Sowman, M, and Sunde, J. A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa. Marine Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 Sunde, J; Pereira, T; Snow, B; Mbatha, P; James, A. Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa. Marine Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Sunde, J. Participating in Seismic Shifts in Ocean Research and Advocacy Collaboration in South Africa. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Van As, H. Poaching of marine living resources: Can the tide be turned? South African Crime Quarterly, 69. 2020. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2020/vn69a8351 Van As, H. Admission of guilt fine: a legal shortcut with delayed shock?. South African Crime Quarterly, 69. 2020. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2020/vn69a7444 Vrancken, P. Scientific Advisory Group (SAGE) Sub-committee on Marine Ecology and Risk Mitigation's Advisory on the Use of Deep-Sea Seismic Surveys to Explore for Oil and Gas Deposits in South African Waters. https://www.assaf.org.za/files/2022/SAGE/SAGE%20Advisory%20on%20Shell%20Seismic%20Survey.pdf Kevern L. Cochrane, Jessica Eggers, Warwick H.H. Sauer. A diagnosis of the status and effectiveness of marine fisheries management in South Africa based on two representative case studies. Marine Policy, Volume 112, 2020, 103774, ISSN 0308-597X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103774. Coastal Justice Network Map: an interactive online map of coastal (in)justice and small scale fishing cooperatives across South Africa and key stakeholder organisations involved Publication on legal tensions between small-scale and recreational fisheries in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/mapping/ Blogposts ? J Sunde ,2022, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ ? T Pereira, B Francis and D McGarry, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ ? T Pereira Kaplan , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ ? T Pereira Kaplan, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/ ? M Sowman, J Sunde and M Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ ? M Mthombeni, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ The research driven network has opened discussions between the policy makers and small-scale fishers, enabling a marginally more in-depth engagement than before where there was none. This has been recognised through publications of two press releases which were then made into media articles: • The Citizen, "Another fishing community in limbo as west coast seismic survey looms," 23 January 2022. https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/2984959/fishing-community-in-limbo-west-coast-seismic-survey/ • Daily Maverick, "Fishers and civic organisations take legal action against West Coast seismic surveying," 21 January 2022. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-01-21-fishers-and-civic-organisations-take-legal-action-against-west-coast-seismic-surveying/ • Cape town etc, "West Coast community prepares for a court battle over a new seismic survey," 19 January 2022. https://www.capetownetc.com/news/west-coast-community-prepares-for-a-court-battle-over-a-new-seismic-survey/ Blogpost documenting relevant sessions of the Hub' contributions to the UNEP Winter Summer School and UN Environmental Defenders Consultation: • 'Integrating the Ocean in UNEP's Inaugural Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment', https://oneoceanhub.org/integrating-the-ocean-in-uneps-inaugural-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • 'One Ocean Hub highlights role and needs of small-scale fishers at UN Consultations on Human Rights Environmental Defenders'. https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-highlights-role-and-needs-of-small-scale-fishers-at-un-consultations-on-environmental-human-rights-defenders/ Progress towards key outcome goals This collaboration seeks to contribute to the implementation of inclusive, socially & ecologically just participatory processes in marine resource management, environmental impact assessments and climate change mitigation relevant competent South Africa authorities, in partnership with civil society (SDG11.4; 13.3; 14B). Multidisciplinary collaboration involving various disciplines: law, sociology, geography, fisheries science, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Sustaining South Africa's Small Scale Fishing Communities: balancing multiple fisheries and the blue economy |
| Organisation | Natural Justice |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Small-scale fishers (SSFs) play a critical role in contributing to food security, poverty alleviation and rural development globally. In South Africa, there exist at least 147 fishing communities, comprising approximating 30,000 households, approximately 53% of which are found to be food insecure (Sowman 2006). Supporting and enabling sustainable subsistence fishing is critical to addressing widespread issues of food insecurity and poverty among South Africa's fishing communities. The Hub's Empatheatre project (led by Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre) identified multiple complex and connected challenges facing SSFs in South Africa, notably: • Access to resources: due to competition with the recreational sector (a sector with 730k participants annually, and which holds disproportionate access to marine resources) and the commercial fishing industry. • Access to coast: coastal developments (which have increased in both number and development rate under the South Africa Government's blue economy 'Operational Phakisa') have reduced the ability of, or even prevented, SSFs and other coastal communities from accessing the coast. • Lack of recognition of customary rights, leading to multiple human rights violations; • Inadequate public participation in decision-making spaces on marine management, resulting in the rights and views of SSFs and coastal communities being overlooked. • Issues are cross-cutting across multiple ocean sectors, creating multiple connected tensions between SSFs, coastal communities and recreational fishers, and other blue economy developments, most notably the extractive industries (both onshore coastal mining, and offshore mineral and oil and gas extraction). The Empatheatre project and consultations with civil society partners identified the need and opportunity to develop a Knowledge Action Network for monitoring Blue Economy developments in South Africa, and develop a multidisciplinary response to the challenges facing SSFs in accessing knowledge and support networks to engage and challenge decisions which affected their access to coast and resources, placing them in a position of food insecurity and poverty, as well at times, as being unduly criminalised. Throughout 2020-2023, the One Ocean Hub has provided innovative methodologies, new inter-disciplinary findings, as well as a forum, facilitation support and infrastructure to bring together cross-sectoral stakeholders to work collaboratively with SSF to address these challenges. The responsive and iterative nature of the Hub work has enabled us to ensure that our research is deeply rooted in the context, and driven by SSF communities' challenges, while exploring opportunities for changes across scales (including internationally). At the same time, this approach has developed innovative collaborations among our academic partners, who were not originally proposed to work directly together on these issues. In fact, some of the research institutions has, prior to the establishment of the Hub, worked in relative isolation in South Africa, and often in conflict with one another, further exacerbating the issue at policy level as recommendations are based on the findings of single disciplines. Bringing together the social sciences, natural science, humanities, arts and law, the Hub has been able to co-develop a transdisciplinary approach that has allowed SSF communities to strategize together (for the first time nation-wide) and take an interconnected approach to the multiple, complex challenges faced on the ground in real time, and collaborate directly with civil society groups to build networks of solidarity, and offer solutions that balance conservation, community needs, and economics. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University (Faculty of Law), South Africa; Nelson Mandela University (Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR), South Africa; Nelson Mandela University (Centre for Post School Education and Training (CIPSET), South Africa; Rhodes University (Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC); University of Cape Town (Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences), South Africa; Durban University of Technology; South Africa; Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Coastal Justice Network, South Africa; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; ETC, South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | While there are organised groups of fishers responding to fisheries policies and regulations, environmental justice activists responding to extractive industries, conservationists responding to threats to marine biodiversity, these different groups seldom come together, do not all have trusted relationships with researchers, and may even be adversarial towards each other. Lines of race, class, discipline and livelihood concerns are quite firmly entrenched and seldom crossed. The rapid development of the Blue Economy in South Africa, initially through 'Operation Phakisa', and more recently the Ocean Economy National Plan, has necessitated a more integrated and rapid response to ocean governance and wellbeing from concerned citizens, while facing additional challenges to public participation brought about by the pandemic. Initial findings from the Empatheatre research and engagements were discussed by all South African research partners and some UK research partners at the Port Elizabeth conference on transformed and transformative ocean governance (January 2020), where SSF and civil society representatives discuss how to develop a knowledge action network for bringing together beneficiaries and academics in addressing the sustainable development challenges of the blue economy. This network, which is now called the "Coastal Justice Network" (CJN) has been supported by the One Ocean Hub through the provision of data for fishers to engage via the social media platform WhatsApp, which has been coordinated by Hub researchers as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brough about: 1) limitations to in-person meetings between researchers and fishers and 2) moving of public participation in decision-making processes online, with further challenges for fishers to gain access and share crucial information during the crisis. The network has connected SSFs with key civil society groups, including legal aid professionals in South Africa, effectively acting as a bridge for SSFs in getting the support they need to respond to ongoing challenges. Hub researchers' facilitation of the network entails: • Connecting fishers across provinces and regions; • Providing a deeper understanding of coastal (in)justices and relevant decision-making processes; • Providing support for relational networks to grow; and • Facilitating knowledge flow through informing important meetings, ummarizing meeting outputs, translating and interpreting information which affects fishers' rights, and access to coast and resource. Rhodes University, Environmental Learning Research Centre, and University of Cape Town (Department of Geography and Environmental Science) and Durban University of Technology (DUT) - which made significant in-kind contributions of time and resources in opening access to civil society networks, data collection and analysis as well as report writing) have supported the creation of the Coastal Justice Network to include expertise in: • Fisheries law (Nelson Mandela University) directly contributing through Hub resources to understanding the legal tensions between small-scale and recreational fisheries in the implementation of the small scale fishing policy in South Africa. • Institute of Coastal and Marine Research (Nelson Mandela University) examining and advancing the integration of different knowledge in managing South Africa's Algoa Bay, with particular focus on mapping culturally significant areas to inform marine spatial planning in the Bay. Researchers are working closely with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds local conservancies, small-scale fishers and recreational fishers cooperatives to ensure knowledge of small-scale fishers and traditional holders is included in decisions on blue economy development. • Fisheries science (Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science): examining South Africa's marine recreational fishery, with particular focus on legal tensions with small-scale fishery in the implementation of the South African SSF Policy (in collaboration with NMU), issues of compliance, monitoring and management. • Integrated coastal management and social justice (University of Cape Town): Examining the impacts of the blue economy on coastal communities. Understanding the narratives, strategy and impacts on the ground. • A community-research partnership with 12 fisher leaders (4 women, 8 men) and University of Cape Town (Department of Geography and Environmental Science) has facilitated training of fisher leaders in qualitative research methodologies. Each leader has conducted 10 interviews enabling the team to obtain a snapshot of fishers' views from 120 fishers in all four coastal provinces, and is feeding directly into research under the Hub. Researchers at the University of Cape Town provided funding for direct support to small-scale fishers on legal work through Legal Resources Centre. Key civil society organisations (CSOs) contributing to the network include: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance; Centre for Environmental Rights; and Legal Resources Centre, Masifundise Development Trust, Centre for Environmental Rights, Protect the West Coast, Legal Resources Centre, Oceans not Oil, and Green Connections. We are currently exploring the allocation of Hub budget to some of these CSOs to become project partners. DUT became an official project partner of the Hub in 2020 and will become a research partner from April 2022. Since 2021, through the CJN researchers based at Rhodes University, University of Cape Town and Durban University of Technology have worked with small-scale fishers and CSOs named above to review legal decision that negatively impacted small-scale fishers (e.g. decision to grant environmental authorization to mine heavy mineral sands and to carry out seismic survey) and prepared an affidavit on cumulative impacts for urgent interdict against companies (e.g. Searcher Geodata PTY Ltd) who received environmental authorization to undertake a seismic survey on west coast of South Africa in search of oil and gas. This provided an opportunity for Hub researchers to inform human rights litigation that local legal-aid NGOs such as the Legal Resources Centre were initiating with small-scale fishing communities. This has led to two judicial decisions to suspend seismic surveys on the basis of the integrated evidence base provided by the CJN. On 28 December 2021, the Makhanda High Court delivered its judgment, granting an interim interdict to suspend seismic survey by planned by Shell Exploration and Production South Africa BV, Impact Africa Ltd, and BG International Ltd and on 1 March 2022, the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town ruled against Australian geoscience data supplier Searcher, after the judge concluded that the company did not adequately consult with local communities before starting seismic testing (Vrancken, 2022; Sunde, 2022; for more background information see also: https://bit.ly/3CyN77Q). Meanwhile, Hub researchers based at Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, have worked with Port Elizabeth Deep Sea Angling Club (PEDSAC) to study issues of compliance, monitoring and management of recreational fishery. Researchers at Rhodes served as scientific advisors on competition rules and media engagement at PEDSAC to promote pro- environmental behavioural intervention on deep sea anglers (including improved competition rules to minimise impact and improved CatchRlease behaviour). Following the intervention, the PEDSAC annual competition is exclusively catch and release, except for a few species. Changes have been made to the boats and downriggers to improve release technique. As a result of this conservation ethic, sponsors have doubled. Consequently, the Rhodes University fisheries science team has been invited to other deep-water clubs in Kwa-Zulu-Natal. Throughout 2021, researchers at Nelson Mandela University have engaged municipal officials to promote the integration of knowledge of small-scale fishers and traditional knowledge holders in marine spatial planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa. They are working with small-scale fishers, recreational fishers and indigenous knowledge holders to co-develop research and invite these stakeholders to share their knowledge of culturally significant places in Algoa Bay through storytelling and photography. This partnership has received international recognition by being invited to feature in the inaugural UNEP and GNHRE Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment in 2021;, the UN global and African consultations on environmental human rights defenders in 2021; and different panels for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School 2022-2023 and the IUCN seminar series (listed at the "outcomes" section below). This collaboration has generated policy impacts. At national level, the Empatheatre's play titled "Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) has now been used as evidence in the courts of law to appeal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) results. The range of evidence that emerged from the play's tour allowed us to gather expert views from a range of disciplines (fisheries, marine ecology, heritage, international human rights law, and international investment law) to offer integrated evidence to support community views. Feedback from the play was used to highlight the communities' intangible heritage of and emotional and spiritual connections with the ocean. The play has been used to support successful appeals to licenses for offshore oil and gas exploration through seismic surveys, which negatively affect marine life and the livelihoods and culture of coastal fishing communities. Exploration rights on the Wild Coast granted to Shell and Impact Africa were successfully contested on the grounds of inadequate consultation with communities and failure to consider their impacts on those communities, including to intangible culture. The legal affidavits included evidencefrom the Hub's marine and social sciences research as well as the voices of communities captured through script co-development and audience participation in Lalela uLwandle. A first interdict in December 2021 represented a key victory for the community, with the judiciary relying on Hub artistic outputs to evidence intangible cultural heritage that had been disregarded in previous consultations on ocean use. A judgement in September 2022 was widely reported in international media for its historical importance in recognising: 1) the crucial role of coastal communities as ocean custodians, including at the ocean-climate nexus; 2)the sacred nature of this relationship in terms of cultural human rights; and 3) the need to protect the participatory rights of these communities in environmental impact assessments and decision making on the ocean. This is the first time that art and theatre have been used as evidence to embody intangible heritage of our oceans in South African courts. It has established a new legal precedent: the South African judiciary recognises the sacred relationship of the ocean as a realm for the ancestors. This opens up the role that art can play in supporting Indigenous knowledge in national and international jurisprudence (More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf). At international level, the findings, experience and practices from this collaboration have been shared at various international processes including the UN World Oceans Day in 2021 and 2022, the Climate COP27 in 2022, and the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) in 2023. The Hub's contributions to the UN World Oceans Day and the Closing of IYAFA has been reported under separate entries titled "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers" and "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance." At Climate COP27 in Egypt "Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)" session at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) explored how we may start to build resilience and adaptation to climate change through environmentally just and equitable processes. It highlighted that we need to make decisions about the oceans that are inclusive of diverse forms of knowledge to achieve just and equitable climate change resilience and adaptation processes. The UNFCCC's Capacity-Building Hub moderators said "the Empatheatre performance felt like the most important experience they had had at COP27[it helped] feeling the problems, not just rationalising them" (https://bit.ly/3NpIDrt). The collaboration has also brought significant societal impacts, particulary in providing capacity building and training for government officials, civil society, academics and general publics on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa's interests, needs and human rights. In total, all our online and in-person capacity building sessions and events listed under "outcomes" section have reached 1375 people. In 2020 and 2021, the Empatheatre team has co-developed with small-scale fishers, youth, and other ocean stakeholders in South Africa two plays titled "Lalela Ulwandle (Listen to the Sea)" and "Umkhosi Wenala (Festival of Abundance)" that offered an innovative participatory decision making space where small-scale fishers and rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of marine protected areas (MPAs) and decision making surrounding ocean governance issues. The UNFCCC's Capacity-Building Hub moderators said "the Empatheatre performance felt like the most important experience they had had at COP27[it helped] feeling the problems, not just rationalising them." (https://bit.ly/3NpIDrt). As part of the Empatheatre methodology, each performance is followed by a facilitated public discussion with researchers, performers, decision makers, and the audience on the themes emerging from the play. At all performances, a short feedback form is completed by the audience asking how the play made them feel, whether there were any characters in the play they related to and why, and how we should make decisions about the oceans. We now have audience feedback data spanning three years of performances: 875 forms in total. Media impact (print, online, and broadcast) reached over one million people, broadening public dialogue around ocean decision-making on the Kwa-Zulu-Natal (KZN) coastline. The Umkhosi Wenala production brought together over 500 different knowledge holders who participated in post-show discussions. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality as the themes of gender inequality are introduced across all webinars, capacity building sessions and theatre plays co-developed as part of this partnership. From a gender perspective, these events spoke to a predominantly female audience. For example, around 56 per cent of participants attending the Empatheatre tours in South Africa and webinar and capacity building sessions were women. On average around 63 per cent of participants of webinars of organized as part of this collaboration were also women. This is calculated based on events where data on participants' gender was available (e.g. the awareness-raising event at UN World Oceans Week 2021 (June 2021) "Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods" and the high-level event "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" at UN World Ocean Week 2022 with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Rapporteur on Environment and Human Rights (June 2022). This is common in other Hub events where we tend to speak to a predominately female audience which is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. |
| Impact | Key outputs of this collaboration to date: Small Scale Fishing (SSF) Community Capacity building • 12 SSF leaders trained in qualitative research methodologies. A report of the resulting research (based on data from 120 fishers) is currently in development (mid 2021) • Accessible resources for coastal communities detailing their rights in the context of blue economy developments (these have been produced in both English and isiZulu) • Providing direct support to communities to enable them to respond to written consultations on blue economy developments • Active (ongoing) solidarity and learning network of small-scale fisher leaders from across South Africa. Artistic and Media Outputs • Empatheatre performance Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Lalela uLwandle radio play: https://www.empatheatre.com/listen-to-our-lalela-ulwandle-radio-play • Lalela uLwandle (illustrated short film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_W3QBz9cPY • The Blue Blanket: An Illustrated Poem animation film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk • Following Eddie: Short film exploring the challenges of small-scale fishers accessing the ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_r_swTOhlA • Fishers' Tales website: https://fisherstales.org/ • Umkhosi Wenala play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Indlela Yokuphila - The Soul's Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10 • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Defenders of the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY • Mpume Mthombeni's performance - Spotlight Blue Perspectives, UN World Oceans Day celebrations, 2023, New York https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU • Fisher tales, https://fisherstales.org/ • 'The Sea is my Farm...' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0sDPl5HdPA • 'A Dwindling Species' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F_m5IEgvSU&t=19s • 'In a Perfect World' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEmkOZu-qUg&t=34s • 'A Fishing Heritage in Peril' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYFVS7YNxA4 • 'The Art of Fishing' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2wPPII1Fp0&t=14s • The Blue Blanket, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA • Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey (ZULU), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10 In collaboration with Green Connections, a community-based organisation concerned with upholding constitutional rights and raising awareness about these rights among coastal communities especially in relation to blue economy project, Professor Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town) has developed two videos that raise awareness about Environmental Impact Assessment and when and how communities need to be consulted and involved. The videos have been translated into two coastal languages (Xhosa and Afrikaans). • What is an Environmental Impact Assessment: https://youtu.be/eTU66B_KAXI • Environmental Impact Assessment within the Oil and Gas Industry (English): https://youtu.be/ZNhrkNaytFY Webinars • COVID-19 impacts on the South African Small-Scale Fisheries Sector, a capacity building session for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 co-organised with the UNDOALOS. This event was attended by 50 attendees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Small Scale Fishers and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks a capacity building session for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 co-organised with the UNDOALOS. This event was attended by 62 attendees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • the awareness-raising event at UN World Oceans Week 2021 (June 2021) "Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5yOIh-4ZpU The event was attended by 54 attendees. • the high-level event "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" at UN World Ocean Week 2022 with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Rapporteur on Environment and Human Rights (June 2022). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_oThe event was attended by 52 attendees. • "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14 November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s The event was attended by 41 attendees. • Hub researchers Dr Jackie Sunde and Julia Nakamura presentations at the FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W87bgDcgiKc. The event was attended by 100 attendees. Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • "The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers," 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • "Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders," 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 & IUCN webinar series. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by 101 attendees. During the IYAFA Closing 2023, the Hub co-organised and/or contributed to the following programme of events on 29-31 March 2023. Attendance at the IYAFA Closing events 2023 listed below totalled 469. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard." • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers." . View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s • Friday, 31 March 2023, "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries." • Friday, 31 March 2023, "Empatheatre performance Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)." View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658 • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from FAO Flick account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496 Publication outputs to date: Sowman, M., Mbatha, P. and von Holdt J. Strategies for addressing conflicts arising from blue growth initiatives: insights from three case studies in South Africa. Maritime Studies, Vol. 22: 51 Pereira, T. and Erwin, K. 2023. Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice. Ecosystems and People, Vol. 19:1 Cast Out: The Systematic Exclusion of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Subsistence Fishers From The Fishing Rights Regime in South Africa. Sunde, J; Erwin K. Consultancy Policy Research Report for South Durban Community Environmental Alliance. 2021. https://sdcea.co.za/download/cast-out-the-systematic-exclusion-of-the-kwa-zulu-natal-subsistence-fishers-from-the-fishing-rights-regime-in-south-africa/ Sowman, M, and Sunde, J. A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa. Marine Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 Sunde, J; Pereira, T; Snow, B; Mbatha, P; James, A. Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa. Marine Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Sunde, J. Participating in Seismic Shifts in Ocean Research and Advocacy Collaboration in South Africa. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Van As, H. Poaching of marine living resources: Can the tide be turned? South African Crime Quarterly, 69. 2020. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2020/vn69a8351 Van As, H. Admission of guilt fine: a legal shortcut with delayed shock?. South African Crime Quarterly, 69. 2020. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2020/vn69a7444 Vrancken, P. Scientific Advisory Group (SAGE) Sub-committee on Marine Ecology and Risk Mitigation's Advisory on the Use of Deep-Sea Seismic Surveys to Explore for Oil and Gas Deposits in South African Waters. https://www.assaf.org.za/files/2022/SAGE/SAGE%20Advisory%20on%20Shell%20Seismic%20Survey.pdf Kevern L. Cochrane, Jessica Eggers, Warwick H.H. Sauer. A diagnosis of the status and effectiveness of marine fisheries management in South Africa based on two representative case studies. Marine Policy, Volume 112, 2020, 103774, ISSN 0308-597X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103774. Coastal Justice Network Map: an interactive online map of coastal (in)justice and small scale fishing cooperatives across South Africa and key stakeholder organisations involved Publication on legal tensions between small-scale and recreational fisheries in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/mapping/ Blogposts ? J Sunde ,2022, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ ? T Pereira, B Francis and D McGarry, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ ? T Pereira Kaplan , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ ? T Pereira Kaplan, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/ ? M Sowman, J Sunde and M Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ ? M Mthombeni, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ The research driven network has opened discussions between the policy makers and small-scale fishers, enabling a marginally more in-depth engagement than before where there was none. This has been recognised through publications of two press releases which were then made into media articles: • The Citizen, "Another fishing community in limbo as west coast seismic survey looms," 23 January 2022. https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/2984959/fishing-community-in-limbo-west-coast-seismic-survey/ • Daily Maverick, "Fishers and civic organisations take legal action against West Coast seismic surveying," 21 January 2022. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-01-21-fishers-and-civic-organisations-take-legal-action-against-west-coast-seismic-surveying/ • Cape town etc, "West Coast community prepares for a court battle over a new seismic survey," 19 January 2022. https://www.capetownetc.com/news/west-coast-community-prepares-for-a-court-battle-over-a-new-seismic-survey/ Blogpost documenting relevant sessions of the Hub' contributions to the UNEP Winter Summer School and UN Environmental Defenders Consultation: • 'Integrating the Ocean in UNEP's Inaugural Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment', https://oneoceanhub.org/integrating-the-ocean-in-uneps-inaugural-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • 'One Ocean Hub highlights role and needs of small-scale fishers at UN Consultations on Human Rights Environmental Defenders'. https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-highlights-role-and-needs-of-small-scale-fishers-at-un-consultations-on-environmental-human-rights-defenders/ Progress towards key outcome goals This collaboration seeks to contribute to the implementation of inclusive, socially & ecologically just participatory processes in marine resource management, environmental impact assessments and climate change mitigation relevant competent South Africa authorities, in partnership with civil society (SDG11.4; 13.3; 14B). Multidisciplinary collaboration involving various disciplines: law, sociology, geography, fisheries science, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Sustaining South Africa's Small Scale Fishing Communities: balancing multiple fisheries and the blue economy |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Department | Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Small-scale fishers (SSFs) play a critical role in contributing to food security, poverty alleviation and rural development globally. In South Africa, there exist at least 147 fishing communities, comprising approximating 30,000 households, approximately 53% of which are found to be food insecure (Sowman 2006). Supporting and enabling sustainable subsistence fishing is critical to addressing widespread issues of food insecurity and poverty among South Africa's fishing communities. The Hub's Empatheatre project (led by Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre) identified multiple complex and connected challenges facing SSFs in South Africa, notably: • Access to resources: due to competition with the recreational sector (a sector with 730k participants annually, and which holds disproportionate access to marine resources) and the commercial fishing industry. • Access to coast: coastal developments (which have increased in both number and development rate under the South Africa Government's blue economy 'Operational Phakisa') have reduced the ability of, or even prevented, SSFs and other coastal communities from accessing the coast. • Lack of recognition of customary rights, leading to multiple human rights violations; • Inadequate public participation in decision-making spaces on marine management, resulting in the rights and views of SSFs and coastal communities being overlooked. • Issues are cross-cutting across multiple ocean sectors, creating multiple connected tensions between SSFs, coastal communities and recreational fishers, and other blue economy developments, most notably the extractive industries (both onshore coastal mining, and offshore mineral and oil and gas extraction). The Empatheatre project and consultations with civil society partners identified the need and opportunity to develop a Knowledge Action Network for monitoring Blue Economy developments in South Africa, and develop a multidisciplinary response to the challenges facing SSFs in accessing knowledge and support networks to engage and challenge decisions which affected their access to coast and resources, placing them in a position of food insecurity and poverty, as well at times, as being unduly criminalised. Throughout 2020-2023, the One Ocean Hub has provided innovative methodologies, new inter-disciplinary findings, as well as a forum, facilitation support and infrastructure to bring together cross-sectoral stakeholders to work collaboratively with SSF to address these challenges. The responsive and iterative nature of the Hub work has enabled us to ensure that our research is deeply rooted in the context, and driven by SSF communities' challenges, while exploring opportunities for changes across scales (including internationally). At the same time, this approach has developed innovative collaborations among our academic partners, who were not originally proposed to work directly together on these issues. In fact, some of the research institutions has, prior to the establishment of the Hub, worked in relative isolation in South Africa, and often in conflict with one another, further exacerbating the issue at policy level as recommendations are based on the findings of single disciplines. Bringing together the social sciences, natural science, humanities, arts and law, the Hub has been able to co-develop a transdisciplinary approach that has allowed SSF communities to strategize together (for the first time nation-wide) and take an interconnected approach to the multiple, complex challenges faced on the ground in real time, and collaborate directly with civil society groups to build networks of solidarity, and offer solutions that balance conservation, community needs, and economics. This collaboration is built upon the Hub's existing and new partnerships. Organisations that are part of the Hub's original application include: • research partners in the Global South: Nelson Mandela University (Faculty of Law), South Africa; Nelson Mandela University (Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR), South Africa; Nelson Mandela University (Centre for Post School Education and Training (CIPSET), South Africa; Rhodes University (Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC); University of Cape Town (Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences), South Africa; Durban University of Technology; South Africa; Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, South Africa The new partnerships resulted from this collaboration include: • Partner organisations based in Global South: Coastal Justice Network, South Africa; Legal Resources Centre, South Africa; Natural Justice, South Africa; ETC, South Africa |
| Collaborator Contribution | While there are organised groups of fishers responding to fisheries policies and regulations, environmental justice activists responding to extractive industries, conservationists responding to threats to marine biodiversity, these different groups seldom come together, do not all have trusted relationships with researchers, and may even be adversarial towards each other. Lines of race, class, discipline and livelihood concerns are quite firmly entrenched and seldom crossed. The rapid development of the Blue Economy in South Africa, initially through 'Operation Phakisa', and more recently the Ocean Economy National Plan, has necessitated a more integrated and rapid response to ocean governance and wellbeing from concerned citizens, while facing additional challenges to public participation brought about by the pandemic. Initial findings from the Empatheatre research and engagements were discussed by all South African research partners and some UK research partners at the Port Elizabeth conference on transformed and transformative ocean governance (January 2020), where SSF and civil society representatives discuss how to develop a knowledge action network for bringing together beneficiaries and academics in addressing the sustainable development challenges of the blue economy. This network, which is now called the "Coastal Justice Network" (CJN) has been supported by the One Ocean Hub through the provision of data for fishers to engage via the social media platform WhatsApp, which has been coordinated by Hub researchers as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brough about: 1) limitations to in-person meetings between researchers and fishers and 2) moving of public participation in decision-making processes online, with further challenges for fishers to gain access and share crucial information during the crisis. The network has connected SSFs with key civil society groups, including legal aid professionals in South Africa, effectively acting as a bridge for SSFs in getting the support they need to respond to ongoing challenges. Hub researchers' facilitation of the network entails: • Connecting fishers across provinces and regions; • Providing a deeper understanding of coastal (in)justices and relevant decision-making processes; • Providing support for relational networks to grow; and • Facilitating knowledge flow through informing important meetings, ummarizing meeting outputs, translating and interpreting information which affects fishers' rights, and access to coast and resource. Rhodes University, Environmental Learning Research Centre, and University of Cape Town (Department of Geography and Environmental Science) and Durban University of Technology (DUT) - which made significant in-kind contributions of time and resources in opening access to civil society networks, data collection and analysis as well as report writing) have supported the creation of the Coastal Justice Network to include expertise in: • Fisheries law (Nelson Mandela University) directly contributing through Hub resources to understanding the legal tensions between small-scale and recreational fisheries in the implementation of the small scale fishing policy in South Africa. • Institute of Coastal and Marine Research (Nelson Mandela University) examining and advancing the integration of different knowledge in managing South Africa's Algoa Bay, with particular focus on mapping culturally significant areas to inform marine spatial planning in the Bay. Researchers are working closely with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds local conservancies, small-scale fishers and recreational fishers cooperatives to ensure knowledge of small-scale fishers and traditional holders is included in decisions on blue economy development. • Fisheries science (Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science): examining South Africa's marine recreational fishery, with particular focus on legal tensions with small-scale fishery in the implementation of the South African SSF Policy (in collaboration with NMU), issues of compliance, monitoring and management. • Integrated coastal management and social justice (University of Cape Town): Examining the impacts of the blue economy on coastal communities. Understanding the narratives, strategy and impacts on the ground. • A community-research partnership with 12 fisher leaders (4 women, 8 men) and University of Cape Town (Department of Geography and Environmental Science) has facilitated training of fisher leaders in qualitative research methodologies. Each leader has conducted 10 interviews enabling the team to obtain a snapshot of fishers' views from 120 fishers in all four coastal provinces, and is feeding directly into research under the Hub. Researchers at the University of Cape Town provided funding for direct support to small-scale fishers on legal work through Legal Resources Centre. Key civil society organisations (CSOs) contributing to the network include: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance; Centre for Environmental Rights; and Legal Resources Centre, Masifundise Development Trust, Centre for Environmental Rights, Protect the West Coast, Legal Resources Centre, Oceans not Oil, and Green Connections. We are currently exploring the allocation of Hub budget to some of these CSOs to become project partners. DUT became an official project partner of the Hub in 2020 and will become a research partner from April 2022. Since 2021, through the CJN researchers based at Rhodes University, University of Cape Town and Durban University of Technology have worked with small-scale fishers and CSOs named above to review legal decision that negatively impacted small-scale fishers (e.g. decision to grant environmental authorization to mine heavy mineral sands and to carry out seismic survey) and prepared an affidavit on cumulative impacts for urgent interdict against companies (e.g. Searcher Geodata PTY Ltd) who received environmental authorization to undertake a seismic survey on west coast of South Africa in search of oil and gas. This provided an opportunity for Hub researchers to inform human rights litigation that local legal-aid NGOs such as the Legal Resources Centre were initiating with small-scale fishing communities. This has led to two judicial decisions to suspend seismic surveys on the basis of the integrated evidence base provided by the CJN. On 28 December 2021, the Makhanda High Court delivered its judgment, granting an interim interdict to suspend seismic survey by planned by Shell Exploration and Production South Africa BV, Impact Africa Ltd, and BG International Ltd and on 1 March 2022, the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town ruled against Australian geoscience data supplier Searcher, after the judge concluded that the company did not adequately consult with local communities before starting seismic testing (Vrancken, 2022; Sunde, 2022; for more background information see also: https://bit.ly/3CyN77Q). Meanwhile, Hub researchers based at Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, have worked with Port Elizabeth Deep Sea Angling Club (PEDSAC) to study issues of compliance, monitoring and management of recreational fishery. Researchers at Rhodes served as scientific advisors on competition rules and media engagement at PEDSAC to promote pro- environmental behavioural intervention on deep sea anglers (including improved competition rules to minimise impact and improved CatchRlease behaviour). Following the intervention, the PEDSAC annual competition is exclusively catch and release, except for a few species. Changes have been made to the boats and downriggers to improve release technique. As a result of this conservation ethic, sponsors have doubled. Consequently, the Rhodes University fisheries science team has been invited to other deep-water clubs in Kwa-Zulu-Natal. Throughout 2021, researchers at Nelson Mandela University have engaged municipal officials to promote the integration of knowledge of small-scale fishers and traditional knowledge holders in marine spatial planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa. They are working with small-scale fishers, recreational fishers and indigenous knowledge holders to co-develop research and invite these stakeholders to share their knowledge of culturally significant places in Algoa Bay through storytelling and photography. This partnership has received international recognition by being invited to feature in the inaugural UNEP and GNHRE Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment in 2021;, the UN global and African consultations on environmental human rights defenders in 2021; and different panels for the UNEP and GNHRE Summer/Winter School 2022-2023 and the IUCN seminar series (listed at the "outcomes" section below). This collaboration has generated policy impacts. At national level, the Empatheatre's play titled "Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) has now been used as evidence in the courts of law to appeal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) results. The range of evidence that emerged from the play's tour allowed us to gather expert views from a range of disciplines (fisheries, marine ecology, heritage, international human rights law, and international investment law) to offer integrated evidence to support community views. Feedback from the play was used to highlight the communities' intangible heritage of and emotional and spiritual connections with the ocean. The play has been used to support successful appeals to licenses for offshore oil and gas exploration through seismic surveys, which negatively affect marine life and the livelihoods and culture of coastal fishing communities. Exploration rights on the Wild Coast granted to Shell and Impact Africa were successfully contested on the grounds of inadequate consultation with communities and failure to consider their impacts on those communities, including to intangible culture. The legal affidavits included evidencefrom the Hub's marine and social sciences research as well as the voices of communities captured through script co-development and audience participation in Lalela uLwandle. A first interdict in December 2021 represented a key victory for the community, with the judiciary relying on Hub artistic outputs to evidence intangible cultural heritage that had been disregarded in previous consultations on ocean use. A judgement in September 2022 was widely reported in international media for its historical importance in recognising: 1) the crucial role of coastal communities as ocean custodians, including at the ocean-climate nexus; 2)the sacred nature of this relationship in terms of cultural human rights; and 3) the need to protect the participatory rights of these communities in environmental impact assessments and decision making on the ocean. This is the first time that art and theatre have been used as evidence to embody intangible heritage of our oceans in South African courts. It has established a new legal precedent: the South African judiciary recognises the sacred relationship of the ocean as a realm for the ancestors. This opens up the role that art can play in supporting Indigenous knowledge in national and international jurisprudence (More information is available from here: https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story-Empatheatre-Lalela_12.10.23.pdf). At international level, the findings, experience and practices from this collaboration have been shared at various international processes including the UN World Oceans Day in 2021 and 2022, the Climate COP27 in 2022, and the Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) in 2023. The Hub's contributions to the UN World Oceans Day and the Closing of IYAFA has been reported under separate entries titled "Expanding Alliances to Support Small-Scale Fishers" and "Strengthening capacity in international ocean governance." At Climate COP27 in Egypt "Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)" session at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) explored how we may start to build resilience and adaptation to climate change through environmentally just and equitable processes. It highlighted that we need to make decisions about the oceans that are inclusive of diverse forms of knowledge to achieve just and equitable climate change resilience and adaptation processes. The UNFCCC's Capacity-Building Hub moderators said "the Empatheatre performance felt like the most important experience they had had at COP27[it helped] feeling the problems, not just rationalising them" (https://bit.ly/3NpIDrt). The collaboration has also brought significant societal impacts, particulary in providing capacity building and training for government officials, civil society, academics and general publics on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa's interests, needs and human rights. In total, all our online and in-person capacity building sessions and events listed under "outcomes" section have reached 1375 people. In 2020 and 2021, the Empatheatre team has co-developed with small-scale fishers, youth, and other ocean stakeholders in South Africa two plays titled "Lalela Ulwandle (Listen to the Sea)" and "Umkhosi Wenala (Festival of Abundance)" that offered an innovative participatory decision making space where small-scale fishers and rural youth can have a voice in the creation and management of marine protected areas (MPAs) and decision making surrounding ocean governance issues. The UNFCCC's Capacity-Building Hub moderators said "the Empatheatre performance felt like the most important experience they had had at COP27[it helped] feeling the problems, not just rationalising them." (https://bit.ly/3NpIDrt). As part of the Empatheatre methodology, each performance is followed by a facilitated public discussion with researchers, performers, decision makers, and the audience on the themes emerging from the play. At all performances, a short feedback form is completed by the audience asking how the play made them feel, whether there were any characters in the play they related to and why, and how we should make decisions about the oceans. We now have audience feedback data spanning three years of performances: 875 forms in total. Media impact (print, online, and broadcast) reached over one million people, broadening public dialogue around ocean decision-making on the Kwa-Zulu-Natal (KZN) coastline. The Umkhosi Wenala production brought together over 500 different knowledge holders who participated in post-show discussions. The collaboration has also advanced gender equality as the themes of gender inequality are introduced across all webinars, capacity building sessions and theatre plays co-developed as part of this partnership. From a gender perspective, these events spoke to a predominantly female audience. For example, around 56 per cent of participants attending the Empatheatre tours in South Africa and webinar and capacity building sessions were women. On average around 63 per cent of participants of webinars of organized as part of this collaboration were also women. This is calculated based on events where data on participants' gender was available (e.g. the awareness-raising event at UN World Oceans Week 2021 (June 2021) "Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods" and the high-level event "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" at UN World Ocean Week 2022 with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Rapporteur on Environment and Human Rights (June 2022). This is common in other Hub events where we tend to speak to a predominately female audience which is interesting considering the marine sector is generally male dominated. This may speak to the interest of females in this space and need to work towards greater representation across the sector. |
| Impact | Key outputs of this collaboration to date: Small Scale Fishing (SSF) Community Capacity building • 12 SSF leaders trained in qualitative research methodologies. A report of the resulting research (based on data from 120 fishers) is currently in development (mid 2021) • Accessible resources for coastal communities detailing their rights in the context of blue economy developments (these have been produced in both English and isiZulu) • Providing direct support to communities to enable them to respond to written consultations on blue economy developments • Active (ongoing) solidarity and learning network of small-scale fisher leaders from across South Africa. Artistic and Media Outputs • Empatheatre performance Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY • Lalela uLwandle radio play: https://www.empatheatre.com/listen-to-our-lalela-ulwandle-radio-play • Lalela uLwandle (illustrated short film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_W3QBz9cPY • The Blue Blanket: An Illustrated Poem animation film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBubIpCWuk • Following Eddie: Short film exploring the challenges of small-scale fishers accessing the ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_r_swTOhlA • Fishers' Tales website: https://fisherstales.org/ • Umkhosi Wenala play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb6pS_fIZH0 • Indlela Yokuphila - The Soul's Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10 • Photo-story: Small-scale fishers and human rights, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqzgSCjfug. • Indigenous Peoples and the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I. • Defenders of the Ocean, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agb9LCYhmWY • Mpume Mthombeni's performance - Spotlight Blue Perspectives, UN World Oceans Day celebrations, 2023, New York https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2-uSE26tnU • Fisher tales, https://fisherstales.org/ • 'The Sea is my Farm...' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0sDPl5HdPA • 'A Dwindling Species' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F_m5IEgvSU&t=19s • 'In a Perfect World' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEmkOZu-qUg&t=34s • 'A Fishing Heritage in Peril' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYFVS7YNxA4 • 'The Art of Fishing' | Artwork from DEEP Fund Project 'Fishers Tales', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2wPPII1Fp0&t=14s • The Blue Blanket, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA • Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey (ZULU), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm-Yf8Dt10 In collaboration with Green Connections, a community-based organisation concerned with upholding constitutional rights and raising awareness about these rights among coastal communities especially in relation to blue economy project, Professor Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town) has developed two videos that raise awareness about Environmental Impact Assessment and when and how communities need to be consulted and involved. The videos have been translated into two coastal languages (Xhosa and Afrikaans). • What is an Environmental Impact Assessment: https://youtu.be/eTU66B_KAXI • Environmental Impact Assessment within the Oil and Gas Industry (English): https://youtu.be/ZNhrkNaytFY Webinars • COVID-19 impacts on the South African Small-Scale Fisheries Sector, a capacity building session for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 co-organised with the UNDOALOS. This event was attended by 50 attendees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeJJG3qt0E • Small Scale Fishers and Blue Justice: Procedural and Substantive Rights of Fisherfolks a capacity building session for the UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni in 2020 co-organised with the UNDOALOS. This event was attended by 62 attendees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdbVNhHf6Q • the awareness-raising event at UN World Oceans Week 2021 (June 2021) "Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being: Vital Partners in Enhancing Biocultural Diversity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Livelihoods." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5yOIh-4ZpU The event was attended by 54 attendees. • the high-level event "Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights" at UN World Ocean Week 2022 with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Rapporteur on Environment and Human Rights (June 2022). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_oThe event was attended by 52 attendees. • "Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change" (led by the One Ocean Hub for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion), 14 November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s The event was attended by 41 attendees. • Hub researchers Dr Jackie Sunde and Julia Nakamura presentations at the FAO led Parallel session #4.1 - SSF-LEX: the new small-scale fisheries policy and legal database at the 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress Africa, 21 November 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W87bgDcgiKc. The event was attended by 100 attendees. Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry presentations in for the Inaugural GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2021 across three sessions: Environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. Participation as resistance: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. Marine environment, marine litter and human rights: https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/. The event was attended by 50 attendees. Four panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2022 as outlined in the previous section and the relevant links could be found below.. • "The human rights dimensions of ocean crimes and its impact on small-scale fishers," 20 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • "Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders," 22 June 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. • Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, 23 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). This event was attended by around 70 attendees. • Defending the ocean at the kelp roots: Stories from Small scale fisher ocean defenders in South Africa, 28 June 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-led-panels-for-the-2022-summer-winter-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/). This event was attended by around 50 attendees. Three panels for the GNHRE-UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023 & IUCN webinar series. • Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice, 13 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtg-afz5tnA). This event was attended by 38 participants. • Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean, 14 September 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMkD4XlJYhY). This event was attended by 38 participants. • IUCN CEESP Reimagine Webinar Series: A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders, 29 November 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11nLsazmaw&t=20s). This event was attended by 101 attendees. During the IYAFA Closing 2023, the Hub co-organised and/or contributed to the following programme of events on 29-31 March 2023. Attendance at the IYAFA Closing events 2023 listed below totalled 469. • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, "Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard." • Wednesday, 29 March 2023, "Hybrid training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers." . View the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMl0hVBoKwg&t=10s • Friday, 31 March 2023, "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries." • Friday, 31 March 2023, "Empatheatre performance Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)." View the photos from the event at FAO Flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658 • High-Level Closing of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 31 March 2023. View the event recording here: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6123/icode/ and photos from FAO Flick account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307140496 Publication outputs to date: Sowman, M., Mbatha, P. and von Holdt J. Strategies for addressing conflicts arising from blue growth initiatives: insights from three case studies in South Africa. Maritime Studies, Vol. 22: 51 Pereira, T. and Erwin, K. 2023. Surfacing solidarity praxis in transdisciplinary research for blue justice. Ecosystems and People, Vol. 19:1 Cast Out: The Systematic Exclusion of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Subsistence Fishers From The Fishing Rights Regime in South Africa. Sunde, J; Erwin K. Consultancy Policy Research Report for South Durban Community Environmental Alliance. 2021. https://sdcea.co.za/download/cast-out-the-systematic-exclusion-of-the-kwa-zulu-natal-subsistence-fishers-from-the-fishing-rights-regime-in-south-africa/ Sowman, M, and Sunde, J. A Just transition? Navigating the process of policy implementation in small-scale fisheries in South Africa. Marine Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104683 Sunde, J; Pereira, T; Snow, B; Mbatha, P; James, A. Unmasking governance failures: The impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities in South Africa. Marine Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104713. Sunde, J. Participating in Seismic Shifts in Ocean Research and Advocacy Collaboration in South Africa. https://oneoceanhub.org/participating-in-seismic-shifts-in-ocean-research-and-advocacy-collaboration-in-south-africa/ Van As, H. Poaching of marine living resources: Can the tide be turned? South African Crime Quarterly, 69. 2020. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2020/vn69a8351 Van As, H. Admission of guilt fine: a legal shortcut with delayed shock?. South African Crime Quarterly, 69. 2020. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2020/vn69a7444 Vrancken, P. Scientific Advisory Group (SAGE) Sub-committee on Marine Ecology and Risk Mitigation's Advisory on the Use of Deep-Sea Seismic Surveys to Explore for Oil and Gas Deposits in South African Waters. https://www.assaf.org.za/files/2022/SAGE/SAGE%20Advisory%20on%20Shell%20Seismic%20Survey.pdf Kevern L. Cochrane, Jessica Eggers, Warwick H.H. Sauer. A diagnosis of the status and effectiveness of marine fisheries management in South Africa based on two representative case studies. Marine Policy, Volume 112, 2020, 103774, ISSN 0308-597X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103774. Coastal Justice Network Map: an interactive online map of coastal (in)justice and small scale fishing cooperatives across South Africa and key stakeholder organisations involved Publication on legal tensions between small-scale and recreational fisheries in South Africa, https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/mapping/ Blogposts ? J Sunde ,2022, "A Seismic Shift: A coalition of fishing communities, activists and lawyers has come together to keep the coasts and oceans of South Africa free of the destructive Blue Economy agenda" in Samudra, March, No.87, pp.4-7, ISSN 0973-1121 https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/a-seismic-shift-a-coalition-of-fishing-communities-activists-and-lawyers-has-come-together-to-keep-the-coasts-and-oceans-of-south-africa-free-of-the-destructive-blue-economy-agenda/ ? T Pereira, B Francis and D McGarry, "The unexpected impact of a letter to the minister from One Ocean Hub researchers resulting in an opportunity to facilitate counter hegemonic mapping into transgressive ocean decision making for Amathole Marine Protected Area, South Africa, 29 June 2021, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researchers-resulting-in-an-opportunity-to-facilitate-counter-hegemonic-mapping-into-transgressive-ocean-decision-making-for-amath/ ? T Pereira Kaplan , "The court has a duty to step in and protect those who are offended and the environment" judge rules in the Shell seismic survey case, 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/the-outcome-of-the-shell-seismic-survey-case/ ? T Pereira Kaplan, "Deepening partnerships with small-scale fishers in Eastern Cape, South Africa," 2 October 2022, https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/ ? M Sowman, J Sunde and M Lambrecht M, "Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the west coast of South Africa," 7 September 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-along-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/ ? M Mthombeni, "I took my ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs," 10 July 2023 https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the-sacred-medicine-ocean-governance-needs/ The research driven network has opened discussions between the policy makers and small-scale fishers, enabling a marginally more in-depth engagement than before where there was none. This has been recognised through publications of two press releases which were then made into media articles: • The Citizen, "Another fishing community in limbo as west coast seismic survey looms," 23 January 2022. https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/2984959/fishing-community-in-limbo-west-coast-seismic-survey/ • Daily Maverick, "Fishers and civic organisations take legal action against West Coast seismic surveying," 21 January 2022. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-01-21-fishers-and-civic-organisations-take-legal-action-against-west-coast-seismic-surveying/ • Cape town etc, "West Coast community prepares for a court battle over a new seismic survey," 19 January 2022. https://www.capetownetc.com/news/west-coast-community-prepares-for-a-court-battle-over-a-new-seismic-survey/ Blogpost documenting relevant sessions of the Hub' contributions to the UNEP Winter Summer School and UN Environmental Defenders Consultation: • 'Integrating the Ocean in UNEP's Inaugural Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment', https://oneoceanhub.org/integrating-the-ocean-in-uneps-inaugural-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ • 'One Ocean Hub highlights role and needs of small-scale fishers at UN Consultations on Human Rights Environmental Defenders'. https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-highlights-role-and-needs-of-small-scale-fishers-at-un-consultations-on-environmental-human-rights-defenders/ Progress towards key outcome goals This collaboration seeks to contribute to the implementation of inclusive, socially & ecologically just participatory processes in marine resource management, environmental impact assessments and climate change mitigation relevant competent South Africa authorities, in partnership with civil society (SDG11.4; 13.3; 14B). Multidisciplinary collaboration involving various disciplines: law, sociology, geography, fisheries science, arts. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Vanuatu Deep Fund Project: Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) |
| Organisation | Erromango Cultural Association (ECA) |
| Country | Vanuatu |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021. The Erromango Cultural Association (ECA) enacted simanlou (traditional) protocols to produce Netai en Namou Toc / Stories of Mother Ocean, an illustrated children's book that documents local knowledge and practices. The book, published in English, French and Sie (the only surviving language of Erromango), is a vital means of preserving historical and sacred wisdom, supporting community practitioners and informing policies about marine resource management and sustainable ocean development. The peoples of Erromango, a southern island of Vanuatu, hold centuries old relationships with the ocean. Early rock art in coastal caves and shelters is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Among motifs depicted are sea creatures and, more recently, European ships and seafarers. During the 1800s, the island experienced mass depopulation as a result of introduced epidemics and the violence of the sandalwood trade. The population dropped from 10,000 to barely 800, with five of the island's six languages consequently dying out. The legacies of depopulation, along with current climate stressors such as sea-level rise and storm surges, gives urgency to safeguarding the island's ocean cultural heritage. Customary stories and oral histories contain invaluable information about trade routes, fishing methods, poisoning remedies, spirits of the sun and sky, wind names, weather patterns and maritime navigation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generation opportunities for a core team comprising two female researchers, one female editor, one graphic designer and six artists (four of whom are youth). The equal inclusion of male and female storytellers from across the island has ensured that all roles are valued in documenting and safeguarding cultural wisdom. The passing of two prominent and respected elders during the course of the project highlights the timely imperative of capturing and safeguarding customary knowledge. The book has been distributed to all primary schools of Erromango, with content being included in lessons to transmit indigenous knowledge, increase literacy and promote the vernacular. Information contained within the book is being used by the Simanlou Natmonuk Erromango Island Council of Chiefs to inform the island's marine management activities. Vanuatu's Ocean Commissioner has sought ECA advice on replicating the project in other islands. The book has been highly commended by the office of Vanuatu's Minister for Climate Change and staff at The Pacific Community. Engagement with the publication has been strong and books have been disturbed to nine island schools and communities, with readers highlighting stories and knowledge that were not included in the book given its scope and resource limitations. Displaying a selection of book pages as large-scale fabric prints has been a particularly effective exhibition strategy. Storytellers and artists hold immense pride that their knowledge and skills have been publicly showcased in this format, and the prints have visually reinforced links between indigenous science and culture. The prints are now being used by ECA for local exhibitions and education programmes. The project has supported ECA to expand upon community-centred activities and engage more broadly about the value and significance of the island's cultural heritage. Alongside the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vanuatu Culture Centre, authentic grassroots voices have contributed to policy dialogue at international level, including at the UN Climate COP27 side-event that drew more than 50 attendees. After the success of the project, ECA secured further funding from The Pacific Community (c.£8,700) to undertake in Vanuatu that focuses on cultural values that support inter-human and inter-species relationships. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Erromango Cultural Association. Netai en Namou Toc | Stories of Mother Ocean. 2022. Illustrated book. Vanuatu Project collaborators: Chief Daniel Dam Atnelo, James Atnelo, Georges Cumbo, Dr James Flexner, Nelakan Fred, Frances Hickey, Dr Kate Holmes, Ava Nautong Howlett, Nick Howlett, Kelma Uruknte Nompurisovu Naupa Ishmael, Nikiatu Kuautonga, Tepeye Louvo, Amelia Lovo, Prof John Lynch, Chloe Molou, Elsie Molou, Captain Andrew Naling, Helen Malavi Nampil, Wendy Nanpen, Michael Naritantop, Sempet Naritantop, Pauline Narwa, John Naryovi, Martha Naumu, Anna Uruknte Naupa, Helen Uruknte Nompunnesau Naupa, Joe Nemenuk, Narai Nepenu, Margret Nial, Natmonuk Giben Nilwo, Silas Nilwo, Uyou Nenvi Nompuat, Emma Lui Nouye, Sousou Nowai, Lui Nouye, Ruth Yevip Peter, Salote Nilwo Philip, Richard Shing, Prof Matthew Spriggs, Jerry Taki Uminduru, Thompson, Andrew Tovovur, Joseph Nompuat Tainur, Jeremaiah Tovovur, Simeon Narai Levitantop Tovovur, Nehei Tuwo, Jonah Umah, Esther Naru Warri, Michael Yahwo, Dr Meredith Wilson, Tom Wolu, Pierre Yahwo, Ruth Yahwo, Dick Yauliki, Jeffrey Yaviong, Ruth Yevip Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Erromangan traditional ocean knowledge recognised through partnership with the One Ocean Hub. Vanuatu Daily Post. 9 April 2021. https://dailypost.vu/news/erromangan-traditional-ocean-knowledge-recognised-through-partnership-with-the-one-ocean-hub/article_b6ee5d6a-98bc-11eb-b400-63ee8fed3e90.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • Erromangan Culture and the Sea: New Illustrated Community Book Celebrates Indigenous Knowledge. Sista. 28 July 2022. https://www.sista.com.vu/erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. Connecting with Indigenous Knowledge through Art-based Research: Netai en Namou Toc at COP27. 31 October 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-with-indigenous-knowledge-through-art-based-research-netai-en-namou-toc-at-cop27/. • Jeffrey, S. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. 6 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-knowledge-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-a-case-study-from-vanuatu/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey. S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu.6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events: • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Tu Helen Naupa. Radio Vanuatu, 27 June 2021. • Education, Identities, Culture Symposium. National University of Vanuatu. 24-25 June 2021. • Book launch. Vanuatu Cultural Centre. 26 July 2022. (67 attendees) • Book launch with ten chiefs from the Erromango Natmonuk Simanlou Island Council of Chiefs. Port Vila Vanuatu. 21 August 2022. (103 attendees) • Interview with Tu Helen Naupa and Anna Naupa. Radio Vanuatu. 3 September 2022. • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Kelma Naupa Ishmael. Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC). October 2022. • Book launch and distribution to schools. Erromango. October 2022. • McDonald, L., Jeffrey, S., Naupa, A., Tigona, R. and Regenvanu, R. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. Climate COP27 Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion. 17 November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM • Naupa, A. Linguistic and Cultural Revival. Association of Social Anthropologists in Oceania Conference. 1-4 February 2023 • Naupa, A. We are the Ocean: Transforming Ocean Conservation. 5th International Marine Protected Areas Conference. 3-9 February 2023 • Naupa, H. Caring for our Oceans: Exploring Cultural Connections and Kinship with Whales. Ocean Rights and Kinship Alliance. 9 March 2023. • Artist Talk - Helen Naupa. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions: • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Vanuatu Deep Fund Project: Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021. The Erromango Cultural Association (ECA) enacted simanlou (traditional) protocols to produce Netai en Namou Toc / Stories of Mother Ocean, an illustrated children's book that documents local knowledge and practices. The book, published in English, French and Sie (the only surviving language of Erromango), is a vital means of preserving historical and sacred wisdom, supporting community practitioners and informing policies about marine resource management and sustainable ocean development. The peoples of Erromango, a southern island of Vanuatu, hold centuries old relationships with the ocean. Early rock art in coastal caves and shelters is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Among motifs depicted are sea creatures and, more recently, European ships and seafarers. During the 1800s, the island experienced mass depopulation as a result of introduced epidemics and the violence of the sandalwood trade. The population dropped from 10,000 to barely 800, with five of the island's six languages consequently dying out. The legacies of depopulation, along with current climate stressors such as sea-level rise and storm surges, gives urgency to safeguarding the island's ocean cultural heritage. Customary stories and oral histories contain invaluable information about trade routes, fishing methods, poisoning remedies, spirits of the sun and sky, wind names, weather patterns and maritime navigation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generation opportunities for a core team comprising two female researchers, one female editor, one graphic designer and six artists (four of whom are youth). The equal inclusion of male and female storytellers from across the island has ensured that all roles are valued in documenting and safeguarding cultural wisdom. The passing of two prominent and respected elders during the course of the project highlights the timely imperative of capturing and safeguarding customary knowledge. The book has been distributed to all primary schools of Erromango, with content being included in lessons to transmit indigenous knowledge, increase literacy and promote the vernacular. Information contained within the book is being used by the Simanlou Natmonuk Erromango Island Council of Chiefs to inform the island's marine management activities. Vanuatu's Ocean Commissioner has sought ECA advice on replicating the project in other islands. The book has been highly commended by the office of Vanuatu's Minister for Climate Change and staff at The Pacific Community. Engagement with the publication has been strong and books have been disturbed to nine island schools and communities, with readers highlighting stories and knowledge that were not included in the book given its scope and resource limitations. Displaying a selection of book pages as large-scale fabric prints has been a particularly effective exhibition strategy. Storytellers and artists hold immense pride that their knowledge and skills have been publicly showcased in this format, and the prints have visually reinforced links between indigenous science and culture. The prints are now being used by ECA for local exhibitions and education programmes. The project has supported ECA to expand upon community-centred activities and engage more broadly about the value and significance of the island's cultural heritage. Alongside the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vanuatu Culture Centre, authentic grassroots voices have contributed to policy dialogue at international level, including at the UN Climate COP27 side-event that drew more than 50 attendees. After the success of the project, ECA secured further funding from The Pacific Community (c.£8,700) to undertake in Vanuatu that focuses on cultural values that support inter-human and inter-species relationships. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Erromango Cultural Association. Netai en Namou Toc | Stories of Mother Ocean. 2022. Illustrated book. Vanuatu Project collaborators: Chief Daniel Dam Atnelo, James Atnelo, Georges Cumbo, Dr James Flexner, Nelakan Fred, Frances Hickey, Dr Kate Holmes, Ava Nautong Howlett, Nick Howlett, Kelma Uruknte Nompurisovu Naupa Ishmael, Nikiatu Kuautonga, Tepeye Louvo, Amelia Lovo, Prof John Lynch, Chloe Molou, Elsie Molou, Captain Andrew Naling, Helen Malavi Nampil, Wendy Nanpen, Michael Naritantop, Sempet Naritantop, Pauline Narwa, John Naryovi, Martha Naumu, Anna Uruknte Naupa, Helen Uruknte Nompunnesau Naupa, Joe Nemenuk, Narai Nepenu, Margret Nial, Natmonuk Giben Nilwo, Silas Nilwo, Uyou Nenvi Nompuat, Emma Lui Nouye, Sousou Nowai, Lui Nouye, Ruth Yevip Peter, Salote Nilwo Philip, Richard Shing, Prof Matthew Spriggs, Jerry Taki Uminduru, Thompson, Andrew Tovovur, Joseph Nompuat Tainur, Jeremaiah Tovovur, Simeon Narai Levitantop Tovovur, Nehei Tuwo, Jonah Umah, Esther Naru Warri, Michael Yahwo, Dr Meredith Wilson, Tom Wolu, Pierre Yahwo, Ruth Yahwo, Dick Yauliki, Jeffrey Yaviong, Ruth Yevip Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Erromangan traditional ocean knowledge recognised through partnership with the One Ocean Hub. Vanuatu Daily Post. 9 April 2021. https://dailypost.vu/news/erromangan-traditional-ocean-knowledge-recognised-through-partnership-with-the-one-ocean-hub/article_b6ee5d6a-98bc-11eb-b400-63ee8fed3e90.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • Erromangan Culture and the Sea: New Illustrated Community Book Celebrates Indigenous Knowledge. Sista. 28 July 2022. https://www.sista.com.vu/erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. Connecting with Indigenous Knowledge through Art-based Research: Netai en Namou Toc at COP27. 31 October 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-with-indigenous-knowledge-through-art-based-research-netai-en-namou-toc-at-cop27/. • Jeffrey, S. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. 6 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-knowledge-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-a-case-study-from-vanuatu/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey. S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu.6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events: • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Tu Helen Naupa. Radio Vanuatu, 27 June 2021. • Education, Identities, Culture Symposium. National University of Vanuatu. 24-25 June 2021. • Book launch. Vanuatu Cultural Centre. 26 July 2022. (67 attendees) • Book launch with ten chiefs from the Erromango Natmonuk Simanlou Island Council of Chiefs. Port Vila Vanuatu. 21 August 2022. (103 attendees) • Interview with Tu Helen Naupa and Anna Naupa. Radio Vanuatu. 3 September 2022. • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Kelma Naupa Ishmael. Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC). October 2022. • Book launch and distribution to schools. Erromango. October 2022. • McDonald, L., Jeffrey, S., Naupa, A., Tigona, R. and Regenvanu, R. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. Climate COP27 Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion. 17 November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM • Naupa, A. Linguistic and Cultural Revival. Association of Social Anthropologists in Oceania Conference. 1-4 February 2023 • Naupa, A. We are the Ocean: Transforming Ocean Conservation. 5th International Marine Protected Areas Conference. 3-9 February 2023 • Naupa, H. Caring for our Oceans: Exploring Cultural Connections and Kinship with Whales. Ocean Rights and Kinship Alliance. 9 March 2023. • Artist Talk - Helen Naupa. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions: • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Vanuatu Deep Fund Project: Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) |
| Organisation | Rhodes University |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021. The Erromango Cultural Association (ECA) enacted simanlou (traditional) protocols to produce Netai en Namou Toc / Stories of Mother Ocean, an illustrated children's book that documents local knowledge and practices. The book, published in English, French and Sie (the only surviving language of Erromango), is a vital means of preserving historical and sacred wisdom, supporting community practitioners and informing policies about marine resource management and sustainable ocean development. The peoples of Erromango, a southern island of Vanuatu, hold centuries old relationships with the ocean. Early rock art in coastal caves and shelters is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Among motifs depicted are sea creatures and, more recently, European ships and seafarers. During the 1800s, the island experienced mass depopulation as a result of introduced epidemics and the violence of the sandalwood trade. The population dropped from 10,000 to barely 800, with five of the island's six languages consequently dying out. The legacies of depopulation, along with current climate stressors such as sea-level rise and storm surges, gives urgency to safeguarding the island's ocean cultural heritage. Customary stories and oral histories contain invaluable information about trade routes, fishing methods, poisoning remedies, spirits of the sun and sky, wind names, weather patterns and maritime navigation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generation opportunities for a core team comprising two female researchers, one female editor, one graphic designer and six artists (four of whom are youth). The equal inclusion of male and female storytellers from across the island has ensured that all roles are valued in documenting and safeguarding cultural wisdom. The passing of two prominent and respected elders during the course of the project highlights the timely imperative of capturing and safeguarding customary knowledge. The book has been distributed to all primary schools of Erromango, with content being included in lessons to transmit indigenous knowledge, increase literacy and promote the vernacular. Information contained within the book is being used by the Simanlou Natmonuk Erromango Island Council of Chiefs to inform the island's marine management activities. Vanuatu's Ocean Commissioner has sought ECA advice on replicating the project in other islands. The book has been highly commended by the office of Vanuatu's Minister for Climate Change and staff at The Pacific Community. Engagement with the publication has been strong and books have been disturbed to nine island schools and communities, with readers highlighting stories and knowledge that were not included in the book given its scope and resource limitations. Displaying a selection of book pages as large-scale fabric prints has been a particularly effective exhibition strategy. Storytellers and artists hold immense pride that their knowledge and skills have been publicly showcased in this format, and the prints have visually reinforced links between indigenous science and culture. The prints are now being used by ECA for local exhibitions and education programmes. The project has supported ECA to expand upon community-centred activities and engage more broadly about the value and significance of the island's cultural heritage. Alongside the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vanuatu Culture Centre, authentic grassroots voices have contributed to policy dialogue at international level, including at the UN Climate COP27 side-event that drew more than 50 attendees. After the success of the project, ECA secured further funding from The Pacific Community (c.£8,700) to undertake in Vanuatu that focuses on cultural values that support inter-human and inter-species relationships. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Erromango Cultural Association. Netai en Namou Toc | Stories of Mother Ocean. 2022. Illustrated book. Vanuatu Project collaborators: Chief Daniel Dam Atnelo, James Atnelo, Georges Cumbo, Dr James Flexner, Nelakan Fred, Frances Hickey, Dr Kate Holmes, Ava Nautong Howlett, Nick Howlett, Kelma Uruknte Nompurisovu Naupa Ishmael, Nikiatu Kuautonga, Tepeye Louvo, Amelia Lovo, Prof John Lynch, Chloe Molou, Elsie Molou, Captain Andrew Naling, Helen Malavi Nampil, Wendy Nanpen, Michael Naritantop, Sempet Naritantop, Pauline Narwa, John Naryovi, Martha Naumu, Anna Uruknte Naupa, Helen Uruknte Nompunnesau Naupa, Joe Nemenuk, Narai Nepenu, Margret Nial, Natmonuk Giben Nilwo, Silas Nilwo, Uyou Nenvi Nompuat, Emma Lui Nouye, Sousou Nowai, Lui Nouye, Ruth Yevip Peter, Salote Nilwo Philip, Richard Shing, Prof Matthew Spriggs, Jerry Taki Uminduru, Thompson, Andrew Tovovur, Joseph Nompuat Tainur, Jeremaiah Tovovur, Simeon Narai Levitantop Tovovur, Nehei Tuwo, Jonah Umah, Esther Naru Warri, Michael Yahwo, Dr Meredith Wilson, Tom Wolu, Pierre Yahwo, Ruth Yahwo, Dick Yauliki, Jeffrey Yaviong, Ruth Yevip Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Erromangan traditional ocean knowledge recognised through partnership with the One Ocean Hub. Vanuatu Daily Post. 9 April 2021. https://dailypost.vu/news/erromangan-traditional-ocean-knowledge-recognised-through-partnership-with-the-one-ocean-hub/article_b6ee5d6a-98bc-11eb-b400-63ee8fed3e90.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • Erromangan Culture and the Sea: New Illustrated Community Book Celebrates Indigenous Knowledge. Sista. 28 July 2022. https://www.sista.com.vu/erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. Connecting with Indigenous Knowledge through Art-based Research: Netai en Namou Toc at COP27. 31 October 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-with-indigenous-knowledge-through-art-based-research-netai-en-namou-toc-at-cop27/. • Jeffrey, S. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. 6 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-knowledge-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-a-case-study-from-vanuatu/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey. S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu.6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events: • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Tu Helen Naupa. Radio Vanuatu, 27 June 2021. • Education, Identities, Culture Symposium. National University of Vanuatu. 24-25 June 2021. • Book launch. Vanuatu Cultural Centre. 26 July 2022. (67 attendees) • Book launch with ten chiefs from the Erromango Natmonuk Simanlou Island Council of Chiefs. Port Vila Vanuatu. 21 August 2022. (103 attendees) • Interview with Tu Helen Naupa and Anna Naupa. Radio Vanuatu. 3 September 2022. • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Kelma Naupa Ishmael. Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC). October 2022. • Book launch and distribution to schools. Erromango. October 2022. • McDonald, L., Jeffrey, S., Naupa, A., Tigona, R. and Regenvanu, R. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. Climate COP27 Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion. 17 November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM • Naupa, A. Linguistic and Cultural Revival. Association of Social Anthropologists in Oceania Conference. 1-4 February 2023 • Naupa, A. We are the Ocean: Transforming Ocean Conservation. 5th International Marine Protected Areas Conference. 3-9 February 2023 • Naupa, H. Caring for our Oceans: Exploring Cultural Connections and Kinship with Whales. Ocean Rights and Kinship Alliance. 9 March 2023. • Artist Talk - Helen Naupa. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions: • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Vanuatu Deep Fund Project: Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) |
| Organisation | University of Cape Coast |
| Country | Ghana |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021. The Erromango Cultural Association (ECA) enacted simanlou (traditional) protocols to produce Netai en Namou Toc / Stories of Mother Ocean, an illustrated children's book that documents local knowledge and practices. The book, published in English, French and Sie (the only surviving language of Erromango), is a vital means of preserving historical and sacred wisdom, supporting community practitioners and informing policies about marine resource management and sustainable ocean development. The peoples of Erromango, a southern island of Vanuatu, hold centuries old relationships with the ocean. Early rock art in coastal caves and shelters is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Among motifs depicted are sea creatures and, more recently, European ships and seafarers. During the 1800s, the island experienced mass depopulation as a result of introduced epidemics and the violence of the sandalwood trade. The population dropped from 10,000 to barely 800, with five of the island's six languages consequently dying out. The legacies of depopulation, along with current climate stressors such as sea-level rise and storm surges, gives urgency to safeguarding the island's ocean cultural heritage. Customary stories and oral histories contain invaluable information about trade routes, fishing methods, poisoning remedies, spirits of the sun and sky, wind names, weather patterns and maritime navigation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generation opportunities for a core team comprising two female researchers, one female editor, one graphic designer and six artists (four of whom are youth). The equal inclusion of male and female storytellers from across the island has ensured that all roles are valued in documenting and safeguarding cultural wisdom. The passing of two prominent and respected elders during the course of the project highlights the timely imperative of capturing and safeguarding customary knowledge. The book has been distributed to all primary schools of Erromango, with content being included in lessons to transmit indigenous knowledge, increase literacy and promote the vernacular. Information contained within the book is being used by the Simanlou Natmonuk Erromango Island Council of Chiefs to inform the island's marine management activities. Vanuatu's Ocean Commissioner has sought ECA advice on replicating the project in other islands. The book has been highly commended by the office of Vanuatu's Minister for Climate Change and staff at The Pacific Community. Engagement with the publication has been strong and books have been disturbed to nine island schools and communities, with readers highlighting stories and knowledge that were not included in the book given its scope and resource limitations. Displaying a selection of book pages as large-scale fabric prints has been a particularly effective exhibition strategy. Storytellers and artists hold immense pride that their knowledge and skills have been publicly showcased in this format, and the prints have visually reinforced links between indigenous science and culture. The prints are now being used by ECA for local exhibitions and education programmes. The project has supported ECA to expand upon community-centred activities and engage more broadly about the value and significance of the island's cultural heritage. Alongside the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vanuatu Culture Centre, authentic grassroots voices have contributed to policy dialogue at international level, including at the UN Climate COP27 side-event that drew more than 50 attendees. After the success of the project, ECA secured further funding from The Pacific Community (c.£8,700) to undertake in Vanuatu that focuses on cultural values that support inter-human and inter-species relationships. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Erromango Cultural Association. Netai en Namou Toc | Stories of Mother Ocean. 2022. Illustrated book. Vanuatu Project collaborators: Chief Daniel Dam Atnelo, James Atnelo, Georges Cumbo, Dr James Flexner, Nelakan Fred, Frances Hickey, Dr Kate Holmes, Ava Nautong Howlett, Nick Howlett, Kelma Uruknte Nompurisovu Naupa Ishmael, Nikiatu Kuautonga, Tepeye Louvo, Amelia Lovo, Prof John Lynch, Chloe Molou, Elsie Molou, Captain Andrew Naling, Helen Malavi Nampil, Wendy Nanpen, Michael Naritantop, Sempet Naritantop, Pauline Narwa, John Naryovi, Martha Naumu, Anna Uruknte Naupa, Helen Uruknte Nompunnesau Naupa, Joe Nemenuk, Narai Nepenu, Margret Nial, Natmonuk Giben Nilwo, Silas Nilwo, Uyou Nenvi Nompuat, Emma Lui Nouye, Sousou Nowai, Lui Nouye, Ruth Yevip Peter, Salote Nilwo Philip, Richard Shing, Prof Matthew Spriggs, Jerry Taki Uminduru, Thompson, Andrew Tovovur, Joseph Nompuat Tainur, Jeremaiah Tovovur, Simeon Narai Levitantop Tovovur, Nehei Tuwo, Jonah Umah, Esther Naru Warri, Michael Yahwo, Dr Meredith Wilson, Tom Wolu, Pierre Yahwo, Ruth Yahwo, Dick Yauliki, Jeffrey Yaviong, Ruth Yevip Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Erromangan traditional ocean knowledge recognised through partnership with the One Ocean Hub. Vanuatu Daily Post. 9 April 2021. https://dailypost.vu/news/erromangan-traditional-ocean-knowledge-recognised-through-partnership-with-the-one-ocean-hub/article_b6ee5d6a-98bc-11eb-b400-63ee8fed3e90.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • Erromangan Culture and the Sea: New Illustrated Community Book Celebrates Indigenous Knowledge. Sista. 28 July 2022. https://www.sista.com.vu/erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. Connecting with Indigenous Knowledge through Art-based Research: Netai en Namou Toc at COP27. 31 October 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-with-indigenous-knowledge-through-art-based-research-netai-en-namou-toc-at-cop27/. • Jeffrey, S. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. 6 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-knowledge-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-a-case-study-from-vanuatu/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey. S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu.6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events: • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Tu Helen Naupa. Radio Vanuatu, 27 June 2021. • Education, Identities, Culture Symposium. National University of Vanuatu. 24-25 June 2021. • Book launch. Vanuatu Cultural Centre. 26 July 2022. (67 attendees) • Book launch with ten chiefs from the Erromango Natmonuk Simanlou Island Council of Chiefs. Port Vila Vanuatu. 21 August 2022. (103 attendees) • Interview with Tu Helen Naupa and Anna Naupa. Radio Vanuatu. 3 September 2022. • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Kelma Naupa Ishmael. Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC). October 2022. • Book launch and distribution to schools. Erromango. October 2022. • McDonald, L., Jeffrey, S., Naupa, A., Tigona, R. and Regenvanu, R. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. Climate COP27 Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion. 17 November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM • Naupa, A. Linguistic and Cultural Revival. Association of Social Anthropologists in Oceania Conference. 1-4 February 2023 • Naupa, A. We are the Ocean: Transforming Ocean Conservation. 5th International Marine Protected Areas Conference. 3-9 February 2023 • Naupa, H. Caring for our Oceans: Exploring Cultural Connections and Kinship with Whales. Ocean Rights and Kinship Alliance. 9 March 2023. • Artist Talk - Helen Naupa. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions: • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Vanuatu Deep Fund Project: Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021. The Erromango Cultural Association (ECA) enacted simanlou (traditional) protocols to produce Netai en Namou Toc / Stories of Mother Ocean, an illustrated children's book that documents local knowledge and practices. The book, published in English, French and Sie (the only surviving language of Erromango), is a vital means of preserving historical and sacred wisdom, supporting community practitioners and informing policies about marine resource management and sustainable ocean development. The peoples of Erromango, a southern island of Vanuatu, hold centuries old relationships with the ocean. Early rock art in coastal caves and shelters is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Among motifs depicted are sea creatures and, more recently, European ships and seafarers. During the 1800s, the island experienced mass depopulation as a result of introduced epidemics and the violence of the sandalwood trade. The population dropped from 10,000 to barely 800, with five of the island's six languages consequently dying out. The legacies of depopulation, along with current climate stressors such as sea-level rise and storm surges, gives urgency to safeguarding the island's ocean cultural heritage. Customary stories and oral histories contain invaluable information about trade routes, fishing methods, poisoning remedies, spirits of the sun and sky, wind names, weather patterns and maritime navigation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generation opportunities for a core team comprising two female researchers, one female editor, one graphic designer and six artists (four of whom are youth). The equal inclusion of male and female storytellers from across the island has ensured that all roles are valued in documenting and safeguarding cultural wisdom. The passing of two prominent and respected elders during the course of the project highlights the timely imperative of capturing and safeguarding customary knowledge. The book has been distributed to all primary schools of Erromango, with content being included in lessons to transmit indigenous knowledge, increase literacy and promote the vernacular. Information contained within the book is being used by the Simanlou Natmonuk Erromango Island Council of Chiefs to inform the island's marine management activities. Vanuatu's Ocean Commissioner has sought ECA advice on replicating the project in other islands. The book has been highly commended by the office of Vanuatu's Minister for Climate Change and staff at The Pacific Community. Engagement with the publication has been strong and books have been disturbed to nine island schools and communities, with readers highlighting stories and knowledge that were not included in the book given its scope and resource limitations. Displaying a selection of book pages as large-scale fabric prints has been a particularly effective exhibition strategy. Storytellers and artists hold immense pride that their knowledge and skills have been publicly showcased in this format, and the prints have visually reinforced links between indigenous science and culture. The prints are now being used by ECA for local exhibitions and education programmes. The project has supported ECA to expand upon community-centred activities and engage more broadly about the value and significance of the island's cultural heritage. Alongside the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vanuatu Culture Centre, authentic grassroots voices have contributed to policy dialogue at international level, including at the UN Climate COP27 side-event that drew more than 50 attendees. After the success of the project, ECA secured further funding from The Pacific Community (c.£8,700) to undertake in Vanuatu that focuses on cultural values that support inter-human and inter-species relationships. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Erromango Cultural Association. Netai en Namou Toc | Stories of Mother Ocean. 2022. Illustrated book. Vanuatu Project collaborators: Chief Daniel Dam Atnelo, James Atnelo, Georges Cumbo, Dr James Flexner, Nelakan Fred, Frances Hickey, Dr Kate Holmes, Ava Nautong Howlett, Nick Howlett, Kelma Uruknte Nompurisovu Naupa Ishmael, Nikiatu Kuautonga, Tepeye Louvo, Amelia Lovo, Prof John Lynch, Chloe Molou, Elsie Molou, Captain Andrew Naling, Helen Malavi Nampil, Wendy Nanpen, Michael Naritantop, Sempet Naritantop, Pauline Narwa, John Naryovi, Martha Naumu, Anna Uruknte Naupa, Helen Uruknte Nompunnesau Naupa, Joe Nemenuk, Narai Nepenu, Margret Nial, Natmonuk Giben Nilwo, Silas Nilwo, Uyou Nenvi Nompuat, Emma Lui Nouye, Sousou Nowai, Lui Nouye, Ruth Yevip Peter, Salote Nilwo Philip, Richard Shing, Prof Matthew Spriggs, Jerry Taki Uminduru, Thompson, Andrew Tovovur, Joseph Nompuat Tainur, Jeremaiah Tovovur, Simeon Narai Levitantop Tovovur, Nehei Tuwo, Jonah Umah, Esther Naru Warri, Michael Yahwo, Dr Meredith Wilson, Tom Wolu, Pierre Yahwo, Ruth Yahwo, Dick Yauliki, Jeffrey Yaviong, Ruth Yevip Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Erromangan traditional ocean knowledge recognised through partnership with the One Ocean Hub. Vanuatu Daily Post. 9 April 2021. https://dailypost.vu/news/erromangan-traditional-ocean-knowledge-recognised-through-partnership-with-the-one-ocean-hub/article_b6ee5d6a-98bc-11eb-b400-63ee8fed3e90.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • Erromangan Culture and the Sea: New Illustrated Community Book Celebrates Indigenous Knowledge. Sista. 28 July 2022. https://www.sista.com.vu/erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. Connecting with Indigenous Knowledge through Art-based Research: Netai en Namou Toc at COP27. 31 October 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-with-indigenous-knowledge-through-art-based-research-netai-en-namou-toc-at-cop27/. • Jeffrey, S. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. 6 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-knowledge-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-a-case-study-from-vanuatu/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey. S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu.6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events: • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Tu Helen Naupa. Radio Vanuatu, 27 June 2021. • Education, Identities, Culture Symposium. National University of Vanuatu. 24-25 June 2021. • Book launch. Vanuatu Cultural Centre. 26 July 2022. (67 attendees) • Book launch with ten chiefs from the Erromango Natmonuk Simanlou Island Council of Chiefs. Port Vila Vanuatu. 21 August 2022. (103 attendees) • Interview with Tu Helen Naupa and Anna Naupa. Radio Vanuatu. 3 September 2022. • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Kelma Naupa Ishmael. Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC). October 2022. • Book launch and distribution to schools. Erromango. October 2022. • McDonald, L., Jeffrey, S., Naupa, A., Tigona, R. and Regenvanu, R. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. Climate COP27 Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion. 17 November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM • Naupa, A. Linguistic and Cultural Revival. Association of Social Anthropologists in Oceania Conference. 1-4 February 2023 • Naupa, A. We are the Ocean: Transforming Ocean Conservation. 5th International Marine Protected Areas Conference. 3-9 February 2023 • Naupa, H. Caring for our Oceans: Exploring Cultural Connections and Kinship with Whales. Ocean Rights and Kinship Alliance. 9 March 2023. • Artist Talk - Helen Naupa. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions: • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Vanuatu Deep Fund Project: Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) |
| Organisation | University of the South Pacific, Laucala |
| Country | Fiji |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The One Ocean Hub researches ocean art, culture and heritage to surface and highlight the priorities of groups that are generally underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science, management and governance. The research programme showcases Indigenous and other worldviews and knowledge systems that highlight heterogeneous ways of engaging with the sea. This programme encompasses the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund that supports community-based art projects that capture human relationships with the ocean, evolving challenges to ocean stewardships and the ocean's multiple contributions to wellbeing. This project was initiated under the Deep Fund in 2021. The Erromango Cultural Association (ECA) enacted simanlou (traditional) protocols to produce Netai en Namou Toc / Stories of Mother Ocean, an illustrated children's book that documents local knowledge and practices. The book, published in English, French and Sie (the only surviving language of Erromango), is a vital means of preserving historical and sacred wisdom, supporting community practitioners and informing policies about marine resource management and sustainable ocean development. The peoples of Erromango, a southern island of Vanuatu, hold centuries old relationships with the ocean. Early rock art in coastal caves and shelters is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Among motifs depicted are sea creatures and, more recently, European ships and seafarers. During the 1800s, the island experienced mass depopulation as a result of introduced epidemics and the violence of the sandalwood trade. The population dropped from 10,000 to barely 800, with five of the island's six languages consequently dying out. The legacies of depopulation, along with current climate stressors such as sea-level rise and storm surges, gives urgency to safeguarding the island's ocean cultural heritage. Customary stories and oral histories contain invaluable information about trade routes, fishing methods, poisoning remedies, spirits of the sun and sky, wind names, weather patterns and maritime navigation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This DEEP Fund project was assessed and selected by a committee comprising Hub researchers from the Glasgow School of Art, Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Strathclyde and University of the South Pacific (Fiji). The DEEP Fund is managed by Prof Stuart Jeffrey at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Dr Lisa McDonald (GSA) coordinates all DEEP Fund projects, including monthly tracking and reporting of progress; coordination of contracting and funding; cataloguing of audio-visual material and artistic outputs; and, management of digital assets. Dr McDonald has developed strong interpersonal relationships with DEEP Fund project collaborators to ensure that partnerships are equitable, transparent and mutually beneficial. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald, with research programme CIs, are undertaking academic research that focuses on the contribution of creative economies to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research also considers the importance of indigenous heritage with regard to effective and inclusive ocean governance, along with the efficacy of art to influence conventional approaches to marine science and management. Together with Hub researchers in the disciplines of law, marine and social sciences, GSA is exploring the contributions of arts-based research, cultural heritage and creative economies to transformative change at different scales to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Inter-and-transdisciplinary learning has been shared to influence the science-policy interface about the ocean and climate change. Knowledge exchange and dissemination activities have taken place at local, national, regional and international levels, including the World Ocean Week webinar Art for the Ocean (https://bit.ly/3wcPj46), the in-situ and digital exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, and presentations at international forums such as the UN Climate COP27 side-event titled "Indigenous knowledge and inclusive ocean governance: a case study from Vanuatu" for the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM). Research programme CIs are currently editing an open-access co-authored book with DEEP Fund collaborators, producing journal articles and presenting academic and professional conference papers to maximise the impact of research findings. The project has strengthened capacity and made a significant contribution to the local creative economy by providing income-generation opportunities for a core team comprising two female researchers, one female editor, one graphic designer and six artists (four of whom are youth). The equal inclusion of male and female storytellers from across the island has ensured that all roles are valued in documenting and safeguarding cultural wisdom. The passing of two prominent and respected elders during the course of the project highlights the timely imperative of capturing and safeguarding customary knowledge. The book has been distributed to all primary schools of Erromango, with content being included in lessons to transmit indigenous knowledge, increase literacy and promote the vernacular. Information contained within the book is being used by the Simanlou Natmonuk Erromango Island Council of Chiefs to inform the island's marine management activities. Vanuatu's Ocean Commissioner has sought ECA advice on replicating the project in other islands. The book has been highly commended by the office of Vanuatu's Minister for Climate Change and staff at The Pacific Community. Engagement with the publication has been strong and books have been disturbed to nine island schools and communities, with readers highlighting stories and knowledge that were not included in the book given its scope and resource limitations. Displaying a selection of book pages as large-scale fabric prints has been a particularly effective exhibition strategy. Storytellers and artists hold immense pride that their knowledge and skills have been publicly showcased in this format, and the prints have visually reinforced links between indigenous science and culture. The prints are now being used by ECA for local exhibitions and education programmes. The project has supported ECA to expand upon community-centred activities and engage more broadly about the value and significance of the island's cultural heritage. Alongside the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vanuatu Culture Centre, authentic grassroots voices have contributed to policy dialogue at international level, including at the UN Climate COP27 side-event that drew more than 50 attendees. After the success of the project, ECA secured further funding from The Pacific Community (c.£8,700) to undertake in Vanuatu that focuses on cultural values that support inter-human and inter-species relationships. |
| Impact | Artwork: • Erromango Cultural Association. Netai en Namou Toc | Stories of Mother Ocean. 2022. Illustrated book. Vanuatu Project collaborators: Chief Daniel Dam Atnelo, James Atnelo, Georges Cumbo, Dr James Flexner, Nelakan Fred, Frances Hickey, Dr Kate Holmes, Ava Nautong Howlett, Nick Howlett, Kelma Uruknte Nompurisovu Naupa Ishmael, Nikiatu Kuautonga, Tepeye Louvo, Amelia Lovo, Prof John Lynch, Chloe Molou, Elsie Molou, Captain Andrew Naling, Helen Malavi Nampil, Wendy Nanpen, Michael Naritantop, Sempet Naritantop, Pauline Narwa, John Naryovi, Martha Naumu, Anna Uruknte Naupa, Helen Uruknte Nompunnesau Naupa, Joe Nemenuk, Narai Nepenu, Margret Nial, Natmonuk Giben Nilwo, Silas Nilwo, Uyou Nenvi Nompuat, Emma Lui Nouye, Sousou Nowai, Lui Nouye, Ruth Yevip Peter, Salote Nilwo Philip, Richard Shing, Prof Matthew Spriggs, Jerry Taki Uminduru, Thompson, Andrew Tovovur, Joseph Nompuat Tainur, Jeremaiah Tovovur, Simeon Narai Levitantop Tovovur, Nehei Tuwo, Jonah Umah, Esther Naru Warri, Michael Yahwo, Dr Meredith Wilson, Tom Wolu, Pierre Yahwo, Ruth Yahwo, Dick Yauliki, Jeffrey Yaviong, Ruth Yevip Publications: • McDonald, L. Artfully Sustaining the Sea. 27 January 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/artfully-sustaining-the-sea/ • Erromangan traditional ocean knowledge recognised through partnership with the One Ocean Hub. Vanuatu Daily Post. 9 April 2021. https://dailypost.vu/news/erromangan-traditional-ocean-knowledge-recognised-through-partnership-with-the-one-ocean-hub/article_b6ee5d6a-98bc-11eb-b400-63ee8fed3e90.html • McDonald, L. Surfacing Emotional Connections with the Sea: DEEP Fund Projects Update. 29 June 2021. https://oneoceanhub.org/surfacing-emotional-connections-with-the-sea-deep-fund-projects-update/ • McDonald, L. DEEP Fund: New Artistic Projects and Outcomes. 4 May 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-new-artistic-projects-and-outcomes/ • Erromangan Culture and the Sea: New Illustrated Community Book Celebrates Indigenous Knowledge. Sista. 28 July 2022. https://www.sista.com.vu/erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-indigenous-knowledge • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey, S. Connecting with Indigenous Knowledge through Art-based Research: Netai en Namou Toc at COP27. 31 October 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-with-indigenous-knowledge-through-art-based-research-netai-en-namou-toc-at-cop27/. • Jeffrey, S. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. 6 December 2022. https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-knowledge-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-a-case-study-from-vanuatu/ • McDonald, L. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific Exhibition on Show in Glasgow. 27 April 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-glasgow/ • McDonald, L. Celebrating the Diverse Vibrancy of Indigenous Customs at the 7th Melanesian and Arts and Culture Festival. 11 July 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-the-diverse-vibrancy-of-indigenous-customs-at-the-7th-melanesian-arts-and-culture-festival/ • McDonald, L. and Jeffrey. S. DEEP Fund Project Highlighting Indigenous Connections to the Ocean Presented to Local Community and Decision-Makers in Vanuatu.6 September 2023. https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presented-to-local-community-and-decision-makers-in-vanuatu/ Events: • McDonald, L. One Ocean Hub Deep Fund. Pacific Arts Association European Chapter Conference. March 2021. (46 attendees) • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Tu Helen Naupa. Radio Vanuatu, 27 June 2021. • Education, Identities, Culture Symposium. National University of Vanuatu. 24-25 June 2021. • Book launch. Vanuatu Cultural Centre. 26 July 2022. (67 attendees) • Book launch with ten chiefs from the Erromango Natmonuk Simanlou Island Council of Chiefs. Port Vila Vanuatu. 21 August 2022. (103 attendees) • Interview with Tu Helen Naupa and Anna Naupa. Radio Vanuatu. 3 September 2022. • Interview with Chief Daniel Dam and Kelma Naupa Ishmael. Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC). October 2022. • Book launch and distribution to schools. Erromango. October 2022. • McDonald, L., Jeffrey, S., Naupa, A., Tigona, R. and Regenvanu, R. Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu. Climate COP27 Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion. 17 November 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM • Naupa, A. Linguistic and Cultural Revival. Association of Social Anthropologists in Oceania Conference. 1-4 February 2023 • Naupa, A. We are the Ocean: Transforming Ocean Conservation. 5th International Marine Protected Areas Conference. 3-9 February 2023 • Naupa, H. Caring for our Oceans: Exploring Cultural Connections and Kinship with Whales. Ocean Rights and Kinship Alliance. 9 March 2023. • Artist Talk - Helen Naupa. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. 16 April 2023. (25 attendees) • McDonald, L. and Naupa, H. Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th MACFEST Symposium, National University of Vanuatu. 26-27 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHsBJ9QvnU (120 attendees) Exhibitions: • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom. 15-29 May 2023. (600 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific [digital exhibition]. https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents/ (184 views) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific. London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom. 1-25 June 2023. (6000 attendees) • Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia. 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival. National Library and Archives of Vanuatu.19-31 July 2023. (250 attendees) |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | "Equal partnerships in co-design" at the IOC-UNESCO Co-design for the Ocean Decade Course, online training course |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub early career researcher, Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) and Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) delivered a presentation titled "Equal partnerships in co-design" at the IOC-UNESCO Co-design for the Ocean Decade Course on 12 December 2022. The course was produced and delivered by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) and the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT). It is a contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science and Sustainable Development. This training course was aimed to support the ocean science community around the world to properly co-design a project that can lead to co-production and co-delivery of knowledge, and ultimately develop a project that can be submitted for endorsement under a future Call for Decade Actions. Each day comprised of 4 to 5 hours of lectures, group work, interactive assignments, and quizzes. Key success factors for co-design will be covered in this training course. More concretely, participants were expected to: Gain skills needed in order to co-design a (transdisciplinary) research project (strategic planning, communication and team building); Learn about principles, processes, and application of co-design; Benefit from peer learning and the potential to meet other like-minded people and develop a decade of action together; Learn about transdisciplinary theory and practice, stakeholder engagement, impact planning, communication with peers and stakeholders in intercultural settings, research ethics, and fostering fair partnerships/teams; Work on assignments that produce concrete outputs (e.g. a project management plan, visualization of impact pathway, a stakeholder map, a project pitch) that are useful for the planned Decade Actions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.leibniz-zmt.de/en/news-at-zmt/news/news-archive/apply-by-november-15-to-the-training-cou... |
| Description | 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience' as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Adaptation and Resilience Online Series for COP26 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | UKRI, together with our COP26 delivery partners for climate adaptation and resilience in the UK and overseas, held a series of online events starting in June 2021 in the run up to COP26. As part of this series. the One Ocean Hub organided a webinar, attended by over 100 participants, on 'Ocean and Climate Change: Building Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience'. The event took place on 27th September 2021. The webinar aimed to showcase the crucial role of inter-disciplinary and transdisciplinary ocean research to advance climate change adaptation and resilience, with interventions from across deep-sea ecology and ecosystem modelling to social sciences and law. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPn_UmcAR4 |
| Description | 'Our ocean is sacred' Exhibition in July 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Our Sacred Ocean, a monumental tapestry created by the Keiskamma Art Project, recently made its public debut as part of the South African National Arts Festival exhibition Our Ocean is Sacred, You Can't Mine Heaven (23 June - 3 July 2022). Curated by Hub researcher Dylan McGarry, the exhibition was conceived during ongoing dialogue with academics, artists, scientists, traditional healers and knowledge holders, heritage specialists, activists, lawyers and passionate citizens who are working in solidarity to reframe narratives and policies regarding the ocean and its shared future. McGarry explains that the exhibition acted 'as a radical archive of proxy artefacts of agency that hold meaning and evidence of intangible heritages of the ocean.' Spanning 3.5 metres in diameter, the circular tapestry was displayed on a large rotating table to conceptually disrupt historical map-tables synonymous with colonial delineation and division of the African continent during the Berlin Conference (1884-1885). Not unlike the rush for Africa in the 1880s, today commercial oil and gas companies make similar maps of the ocean to extract and exploit shared natural resources. The tapestry challenges the notion of mapping as a means of control, instead highlighting connections and relationships that inherently depend upon the vitality of the ocean. In doing so, the tapestry asserts cultural and customary rights that are not widely understood or acknowledged in South African decision making and policy. Production of the tapestry was facilitated by the Hub's DEEP Fund - a collaborative programme of international research that supports community-based art projects that communicate emotional bonds with the ocean. Over the last 16 months', the Keiskamma Art Project convened intergenerational knowledge exchange workshops and storytelling sessions to collect local memories, prayers and rituals that express ancestral connections to the sea. The intricately embroidered motifs of the tapestry reveal the centrality of the ocean to the Eastern Cape communities of Hamburg and Bodium. Alongside imagery that depicts the ocean as a sacred space for cleansing and healing to ensure sustained good-health and wellbeing, the sea is also represented as a space for traditional modes of fishing and harvesting to ensure food and financial security. The tapestry emphasises the value and benefits of international research that embraces the principles of inclusivity, equity and respect. Our Sacred Ocean brought together diverse knowledge holders to give rise to marginalised voices that are underrepresented in conventional approaches to marine science and management. Hub researcher and DEEP Fund Programme Manager, Lisa McDonald, notes that 'the tapestry visually advocates for the safeguarding of indigenous cultural heritage and conveys the importance of protecting customary relationships with the ocean.' The Hub extends its warmest congratulations to the very talented artists involved in the creation of Our Sacred Ocean: Cebo Mvubu, Ndileka Mapuma, Thandazwa Mqali, Zukiswa Sikani, Nandipha Yona, Veronica Betani, Nombulelo Paliso, Fikiswa Madlingozi, Nomfundo Makhubalo, Nozolile Gedze. The Hub also acknowledges and sincerely thanks advisory elders who generously shared their knowledge: Nozeti Makhubalo, Nompumelelo Nompunga, Vivian Solwandle and Nokhanyiso Nompunga. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/our-ocean-is-sacred-you-cant-mine-heaven/ |
| Description | 10th World Recreational Fisheries Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Warren Potts presented research on a proenvironmental approach to improve angler catch and release behaviour at the 10th World Recreation Fishing Conference that took place in Melbourne, Australia on 19 till 23 February 2023. It was hosted by the Victorian Fisheries Authority. This is the only conference in the world where scientist from all over the world meet to exchange knowledge on all subjects involved in recreational fishing. It is organized every 3 years and always in a different country. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://wrfc-online.com/wrfc-10/ |
| Description | 11th Biennial Conference of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In November 2023 The Ghana Hub was represented by Mr. Albert Koomson and Ms. Pearl Sakyi-Djan. Mr. Koomson presented on the topic "Microplastic contamination in four different Ghanaian mangroves". Ms. Pearl presented on the topics: 1. Microplastic contamination in two Marine fish species in Ghanaian waters 2. Mesoplastic pollution on two coastal Beaches of Ghana |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | 17th edition of the UNEP Annual Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreement Negotiations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Professor Elisa Morgera, Hub Director, contributed to the 17th edition of the annual Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreement Negotiations organised by the UN Environment Programme and the University of Eastern Finland under the theme 'The Post-2020 Biodiversity Agenda.' This is a high-profile two-week course for present and future negotiators of multilateral environmental agreements on international environmental law-making and diplomacy. The course aims to foster cooperation between developed and developing countries and take stock of recent developments in the negotiation and implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, with a view to improving environmental governance worldwide. Professor Elisa Morgera delivered a seminar on synergies between international biodiversity law and international human rights law on 21 September 2021, which included recent Hub findings on the nexus between the ocean and human rights, including children's human rights. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckXs9mUX828 |
| Description | 1st Virtual Consultation - Social Responsibility Small-scale fishing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division invited Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) to be part of the technical working group (TWG) where she participated in the "1st Virtual Consultation - Social Responsibility: Small-scale fishing", which took place on Tuesday 30 January 2024 at 15:00-16:00 h CET. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Members were given a specific mandate to promote social sustainability in the fisheries and aquaculture value chains, including the recognition and protection of human and labour rights. To fulfil this mandate, the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division is developing a guidance that promotes and facilitates social responsibility compliance by business actors along the fisheries and aquaculture value chains. In the last FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), FAO Members supported the continuation of the development of the FAO Guidance on Social Responsibility in Fisheries and Aquaculture Value Chains (https://www.fao.org/3/cc1513t/cc1513t.pdf). The proposed FAO Guidance entails the entire value chains, which is divided into six sections: (1) Industrial Fishing; (2) Small-Scale Fishing; (3) Aquaculture Production; (4) Processing; (5) Distribution; and (6) Retailing. The FAO Guidance targets the industry; however, it can be also a valuable reference instrument for policymakers, RFMOs and civil society. During 2022 and 2023, FAO developed the Industrial Fishing (https://www.fao.org/3/nm847en/nm847en.pdf) section through an inclusive consultation process involving various stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. FAO is now initiating the process of developing the Small-scale fishing section. For this, FAO has organised this first consultation with other experts worldwide and UN agencies as a first step to present and discuss the scope of this section. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fkill6tn36s3t3vj00101i1n2c?0 |
| Description | 2020 International Maritime Organisation Week "Sustainable Shipping for A Sustainable Planet". |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | To celebrate the International Maritime Organisation's Week of 'Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet', the One Ocean Hub partnered with the Indonesian Embassy to deliver a series of online seminars. The seminar series highlighted the voices of a variety of maritime stakeholders at international, national, and local levels on the importance of mainstreaming sustainable principles in the shipping industry, raising awareness of environmental challenges facing our oceans, and devising opportunities to learn more about sustainable shipping practices from States and other key players in the industry. The seminar series brought together various stakeholders including government officials, businesses, representatives of the United Nations, and civil society members to discuss environmental challenges and changing realities in the economic and environmental dynamics of the shipping industry; and offered solutions to improve sustainable shipping practices. Over 3 events, the One Ocean Hub seminars explored the connections between a variety of key issues at the interface of shipping and sustainable development: oceans and climate change; marine pollution; and the role of multiple stakeholder perspectives, including local and indigenous knowledge. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG_CXJ4pe7w |
| Description | 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference side event: From ocean knowledge to action - developing capacity to create a sustainable ocean economy. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | During the UN Ocean Conference, the One Ocean Hub and UNITAR launched the One Ocean Learn platform (at the event "From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy" on 30th June 2022). The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR had been working over the past three years to create an innovative online platform which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life. The focus was on connecting knowledge across different sources, and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to address real-word questions and understand experiences, with a view to contributing towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Ocean Institute (IOI), and GOAL Global were joining forces to present resources they can offer towards capacity development, which come to full effectiveness when synergized. UNITAR, in cooperation with the One Ocean Hub and the University of Strathclyde, launched the knowledge-translation platform "One Ocean Learn". UNCTAD presented its database on ocean trade drawing for the first time on all official data reported by UN member states and covering both goods and services. IOI provided an overview of IOI's long-standing capacity building initiatives and training opportunities, with special emphasis on the IOI Ocean Academy, an online, easily accessible, free-to-all ocean literacy product designed to support the local and regional literacy needs of stakeholders and interested persons. GOAL Global presented its Resilience of the Blue Economy strategy, which uses an innovative Local Systems Approach that leverages the potential of critical markets systems to create incentives for social inclusion and environmental conservation. The event identified the partnerships that can be achieved to create synergies for ocean action. Ms. Alicia Montalvo, Manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity at the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), introduced the CAF Observatory for conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, with a focus on the Caribbean and Easter Tropical Pacific Corridor (CMAR). Speakers: Ms. Antonella Vassallo, Managing Director, IOI Mr. David Vivas Eugui, Legal Officer, UNCTAD Prof Elisa Morgera, Professor of Global Environmental Law, University of Strathclyde Law School, Glasgow (UK) and Director of the One Ocean Hub Mr. René Gómez-Garcia, Head of Green Business Unit, CAF Mr. Bernard McCaul, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Regional Director and Deputy Director, Programme Design and Innovation, GOAL Global Moderator: Mr. Niall McDonough, Director of Policy Information and Research Support Services, Marine Institute Open Discussion |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://unctad.org/meeting/2022-united-nations-ocean-conference-side-event-ocean-knowledge-action-de... |
| Description | 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, presented at the 8th International Conference on the Law of the Sea in Seoul from November 20 to 22, 2023. On 20 November 2023, Prof Morgera delivered a presentation in Session 1 of the Conference that focused on "Marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits." Other panellists at this session included H.E. Judge Konrad Jan Marciniak (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea), H.E. Amb. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson (Permanent Mission of Belize to the UN), Prof. David LEARY (University of Technology Sydney) and Dr. Youngdawng Moh (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology). More information about key messages delivered by Prof Morgera during the event is available from this blogpost here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ |
| Description | A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher, Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa), was invited to speak at "A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders" webinar organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on 29 November 2023. This event aimed to bring greater visibility to the plight of Ocean Defenders worldwide. Ocean Defenders include individuals, groups, and communities of small-scale fishers and Indigenous Peoples who are actively protecting the marine environment and human rights. Unfortunately, ocean defenders are often marginalized, criminalized, threatened, and even murdered for their efforts to safeguard the ocean. This webinar explored the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally, and shed light on the potential avenues through which allies and organizations can provide support and protect ocean defenders. This webinar would be of interest to a diverse audience of ocean defenders, conservation practitioners, researchers, policy-makers, and funders who are committed to protecting oceans and people. Speakers presented an overview of the Ocean Defenders Project, followed by global case studies on Ocean Defenders, discussing potential strategies for effective support, and the ocean defenders themselves shared their lived experiences. Speakers who presented include: • Nathan Bennett (Global Oceans Lead Scientist, WWF & Chair, People and the Ocean Specialist Group, IUCN) • David Boyd (UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment & University of British Columbia) • Philippe Le Billon (School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia) • Rocio Lopez de La Lama (School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia) • Paula Satizabal (Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany) • Taryn Pereira (Coastal Justice Network and One Ocean Hub, Rhodes University, South Africa) • Samiya Selim (Center for Sustainable Development, University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh) • Francisco Araos (Antropologia de la Conservación, Universidad de Los Lagos, Chile) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://engage.iucn.org/group/iucn-commission-environmental-economic-and-social-policy-2021-2025/eve... |
| Description | A Peace Pact With Nature: Reflecting on the CBD COP15 and the new BBNJ agreement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | What difference can the new Global Biodiversity Framework and the new agreement on ocean biodiversity make for the triple environmental crises and human rights? Former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Prof John Knox, invited the One Ocean Hub, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat and other experts to share their views on 13 March 2023 at a webinar organised by the American Society of International Law and the European Society of International Law. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/a-peace-pact-with-nature-reflecting-on-the-cbd-cop15-and-the-new-bbnj-agreem... |
| Description | A film by the Economist: Climate change: what is ocean acidification? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 2 February 2023 the Economist launched a film titled 'Climate change: what is ocean acidification?'. As carbon emissions change the chemistry of the seas, ocean acidification threatens marine life and human livelihoods. How worried should you be about climate change's so-called "evil twin"? The research conducted by Hub researchers Prof Murray Roberts, Dr Sebastian Hennige, and early career researchers Kristina Beck, and Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh, UK) on deep-sea coral is reported in the video (from 6 minutes on). The film is supported by Nippon Foundation. Themes cover in the film include: The other carbon problem; How does the ocean's deepest point reveal its past?; Why are baby oysters dying?; Is the ocean acidic?; What is causing ocean acidification?; Why are corals dissolving?/ Will deep sea ecosystems survive?; A threat to human livelihoods; What are the 'potato chips of the sea'?; and What is the solution?. Since the film was released on 2 February 2023 it has been viewed 114,958 times. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVWZyDz--30 |
| Description | A series of meetings with the Ebenhaeser Community, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 4th May 2021, One Ocean Hub researcher, Professor Merle Sowman facilitated a meeting between fishers at Ebenhaeser regarding a new mining prospecting application on the northern side of the estuary where they fish and on the community's restituted land. This was to prepare them for a public meeting with the applicant and environmental assessment consultants. Approximately 25 fishers attended this meeting. On the following day, on 5th May 2021, Professor Merle Sowman attended a meeting and gave a presentation to the Ebenhaeser Community Property Association (CPA). The CPA overseas the land settlement agreement for the communities of Ebenhaeser and Papendorp. Professor Sowman presentation focused on the mining developments along the Ebenhaeser community coast and their potential impacts including a prospecting application planned to the north of and on their recently restituted land. Approximately 15 people in attendance including CPA members and representatives of the fishing community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | A series of workshops on Amathole Marine Protected Area management plan, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | A series of workshops were organised after researchers from the Hub's Coastal Justice Network (CJN) wrote to the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DEFF) to complain that fishers had not been included. The CJN engagement here has led to further conversation with ECPTA about how we might work together to enhance participation in the MPA. A series of meeting were organised in April and May 2021 between Hub researchers and ECPTA and government officials on the Amathole MPA. Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Taryn Pereira met representatives of government, small-scale fishers cooperative from Siyaphambile Cooperative, SiyaZama Cooperative and traditional leaders and others to discuss how they can work together on the draft Marine Protected Area management plan. It was agreed that there would be a meeting with the Hamburg community on the 10th June 2021. In order to prepare for the 10th June 2021 meeting Hub researchers were going through the Management Plan and translate it into Xhosa and help fishers to strategise their questions and concerns, and develop agenda for the meeting with Siya Cooperative leaders and the South Africa Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries. Prior to the June meeting a workshop was held in May 2021 and brought together Small Scale Fisher (SSF) cooperatives to develop a strategy to respond to a draft management plan for Amathole Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Eastern Cape. The workshop used creative methods (public storytelling, performance, participatory mapping) to introduce the draft MPA management plan for the region, understand the implications of these plans for fisher livelihoods, and empower fishers to participate in the planning process. The workshop was carried out in isiXhosa, which is significant as until then MPA plans were only available in English. The cooperatives developed a plan for a follow-up workshop with Government, which took place on 10/06/2021, facilitated by the One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network. Hosted by the fisher cooperatives, the workshop provided an unprecedented space for government representatives to hear the concerns and questions around the draft management plan for the MPA directly from SSFs. The workshop led to a verbal public commitment by Government to including SSFs in the MPA co-management forum, opening the door for SSF livelihoods and wellbeing to be actively considered in MPA management (see here: https://www.empatheatre.com/amagagasi-tides-tracking-the-tides-of-history-and-re-imagining-futures-in-northern-zululand). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/the-unexpected-impact-of-a-letter-to-the-minister-from-one-ocean-hub-researc... |
| Description | A short article published in Bio Economy Research Chair, the South African National Research Foundation. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub early career researcher Jen Whittingham (University of Cape Town) published a short article titled 'Many knowers, many natures, many oceans; reflecting on pluriversality and the politics of knowledge production through multi-sited fieldwork in South Africa' in Bio Economy Research Chair, the South African National Research Foundation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://bio-economy.org.za/many-knowers-many-natures-many-oceans-reflecting-on-pluriversality-and-th... |
| Description | Accounting for the impacts of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In January 2024, the Hub submitted written evidence to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on "The impacts of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on human rights." Hub researchers focused on concrete examples of ocean-related loss and damage; as well as data, mechanisms and tools to measure, monitor, report and evaluate the impacts of ocean-related loss and damage. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/accounting-for-the-impacts-of-loss-and-damage-from-the-adverse-effects-of-cl... |
| Description | Activities and Linkages with Business and Human Rights in Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Sulley Ibrahim (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) presented at the 14th Biennial Conference of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions in October 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Advancing Alliances for Better Protecting Small-Scale Fishers' Human Rights at World Oceans Week |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 6th June 2022, the One Ocean Hub organised, in close collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), a two-hour virtual roundtable to explore the challenges, opportunities and alliances underpinning the recognition, protection and promotion of small-scale fishers' human rights. This was the first-ever event held at WOW to bring FAO and OHCHR together in a horizontal dialogue with small-scale fishers' representatives and their supporters, bringing all of them closer to discuss human rights and related issues affecting small-scale fishers. The event timely fed into the celebratory activities taking place in the 2022 International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), supported the IYAFA Global Action Plan, the Hub's contributions to IYAFA, and furthered the implementation of the relevant international instruments for small-scale fisheries, including the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). Read the blogpost that summarises key messages from the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-at-world-oceans-week/. Video-message from Ms Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBnVZQS6_o&t=768s |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/1V8BXhH5Jfo |
| Description | Advancing considerations of equity in the negotiations of the Pandemic Treaty |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This blog post shares some key reflections from two events organised by Hub researcher Stephanie Switzer with Mark Eccleston-Turner (King's College, London), together with experts from within and outside the Hub, to complement previous contributions to these international negotiations arising from transferable Hub research findings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-considerations-of-equity-in-the-negotiations-of-the-pandemic-treat... |
| Description | Advancing?the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Following the Hub's collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2022-2023 to clarify the content of the human rights of small-scale fishers and ensure their coherent protection through the implementation of the FAO Small-scale Fisheries (SSF), Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) met with various partners in November 2023 to take stock of progress and identify new areas of focus in preparation for the 2024 SSF Summit (5-7 July 2024, Rome). In addition, the Hub contributed to the call for evidence of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food for his next report on fisheries, which will be released in March 2024 and the Danish Institute for Human Rights's expert meeting on "Human Rights and the Sustainable Use and Management of Marine Resources" (2-3 November 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/where-next-to-advance-the-protection-of-human-rights-of-small-scale-fishers/ |
| Description | African Network of deep-water researchers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Kirsty Mcquaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute and University of Plymouth, South Africa) attended the African Network of deep-water Researchers session which was launched on Tuesday the 21st of March 2023 with an inaugural online meeting of the network. The African Network of Deep-water Researchers is an initiative under the UN Decade-endorsed Challenger with 150 Programmes. The network was established with the aim of: Facilitating and strengthening collaborations between African institutions and individuals active or interested in deep-sea and offshore research; Supporting and enhancing opportunities for the exchange of expertise and training; Facilitating collaboration and supporting fair partnerships with international parties; and Acting as a point of contact to connect interested international parties with relevant African researchers. The African Network of Deep-water Researchers is open to all active African nationals interested in deep-sea and offshore research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://blog.wiomsa.net/2023/03/13/launch-african-network-of-deep-water-researchers/ |
| Description | Algoa Bay MSP Project: Socio-economic components workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The workshop was aimed to update Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (MBM) officials on Algoa Bay Marine Spatial Planning project funded by the One Ocean Hub and Dr Nina Rivers role as a researcher as well as to highlight areas of collaboration (interviews, workshops and exhibitions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Algoa Bay Stakeholder Engagement Group: Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Algoa Bay Stakeholder Engagement Group is established by Hub researchers based at Nelson Mandela University. It includes representatives of youth, subsistence fishers and small-scale fishers, recreational ocean users; Khoisan representatives; traditional healers and sangomas; municipal coastal managers. and enabling organisations: World Wide Fund, South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). Meetings organnised by the Group is part of Hub researchers ongoing engagement with local communities around Algoa Bay on tangible and intangible cultural heritage on the ocean and : arts-based approaches that aims to integrate indigenous and local knowledge in marine spatial planning. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Algoa Bay, South Africa: Marine Spatial Planning Stakeholder Consultations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Research on participatory methods and stakeholder involvement in area-based ocean management to inform the design of area-based management tools. Country: South Africa Organisations Engaged: Consultation was carried out via questionnaire and interviews with Algoa Bay stakeholders. Stakeholders engaged: Members of the recreational shore angling community; coastal management consultants; boat-based tourism businesses; Government and public development entities (Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality); Businesses from the events and water sports private sector Outcomes: This engagement is informing the design of the next stages in the developed of integrated area based management tools (pilot integrated marine spatial plan) for Algoa Bay, specifically to inform stakeholder inclusion for Marine Spatial Planning, Marine Protected Areas, and Integrated Coastal Zone Management in DAC country contexts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://algoabaydata.wixsite.com/website/community-of-practice |
| Description | All Eyes on the SDGs annual conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub's Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde), was invited to deliver a presentation on SDG14 Life Below Water at an Annual Conference titled: All Eyes on the SDGs organised by Scotland's International Development Alliance. The conference took place on 27 September 2023 at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh. The in-person event was attended by around 200 people. It brought together decision makers (e.g. The Rt Hon. Humza Yousaf MSP), civil society organisations (e.g. Water Aid and Action for Humanity), and international organisations (e.g. UN Academic Impact). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://intdevalliance.scot/events/annual-conference-2023/ |
| Description | American Society of International Law and the European Society of International Law Panel on Global Biodiversity Framework |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), was invited to present at the American Society of International Law and the European Society of International Law Panel on Global Biodiversity Framework which took place on the 13th of March 2023. The panel was organized as a joint effort by the American Society of International Law and the European Society of International Law. The participants in the panel were: Worku Yifru, Senior Legal Officer for the Convention on the Biological Diversity Secretariat Joan Carling, Global Director, Indigenous Peoples Rights Elaine Geyer-Allely, Acting Head of Governance Program at World Wildlife Fund Elisa Morgera, Professor at University of Strathclyde |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | An International Webinar on the Global Partnership on Marine Litter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub researchers contributed to share local experiences on the impacts of ocean plastics at an international webinar on the Global Partnership on Marine Litter focused on environmental justice on 17 February 2022. The webinar aimed to advance the conversation on the need for stronger action to address environmental injustices brought on by marine litter, as member states get ready to negotiate resolutions on plastics, including on the need for a new international treaty, at the UN Environment Assembly meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, from 28 February to 2 March 2022. Following the remarks of the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics, Marcos Orellana, on the need for a new treaty on the whole cycle of plastics, Hub Director Elisa Morgera spoke about different dimensions of environmental justice on the basis of transdisciplinary research in the Global South, which helps to: identify more clearly equity issues both between Global North/Global South and for most affected groups; and prioritize critical knowledge gaps and changes in ocean and environmental governance through the application of human rights. A 3-minute video was then showed based on research carried out by Hub researchers, Dr Georgina Oduro, Dr Bola Erinosho, Dr John Ansah and Dr Harry Golo at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, to provide a contextual understanding of environmental injustice arising from ocean plastics in a fishing community in the Central Region of Ghana. The video included several community members who shared their views on the extent of plastic pollution on their coast, and its impacts on the community's health, fishing and farming activities, and women. This is part of broader research conducted by Dr Oduro and colleagues on customary laws, ocean heritage and governance in Ghana. Hub research is now being distilled into awareness-raising materials developed in partnership with UNEP and GPML by a multi-country team composed of: Bola Erinosho (Ghana); Dylan McGarry, Anna James, Kira Erwin, Rose Boswell (South Africa); Alana Lancaster (Barbados), Elize Shakalela (Namibia); and Bhavani Narayanaswamy, Matt Upton, and Tallash Kantai (UK). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.gpmarinelitter.org/news/news/watch-webinar-gpml-action-track-5-and-digital-platform-phas... |
| Description | An in-person art exhibition Ocean Connections |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | An in-person art exhibition Ocean Connections was organised in South End Museum in Algoa Bay, South Africa in March. Following the launch of the exhibition on 23 March, attendees and organisers gathered for a multi-stakeholder workshop to explore how to better integrate cultural connections, Indigenous and local knowledges in area-based ocean management in South Africa. Both events were well-attended, bringing together the Secretary for the MSP National Working Group, the national manager for maritime heritage, provincial and local ocean managers, conservation authorities, industry, NGOs and of course the co-researchers and residents of Algoa Bay. The exhibition was organised by Hub early-career researchers Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) and Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) together with Rachel Baasch (Curator of the exhibition). The follow-up workshop was organised by Nina Rivers, Bernadette Snow (Strathclyde University, UK) and Mia Strand with the help of Denning Metuge (University of South Africa) and Loylah (Chilo) Nonyane (Nelson Mandela University) The event was multi funded: under the One Ocean Hub, Nina was leading this as part of her post-doctoral work, while Mia was exploring the methodology as part of her PhD. Chilo was collecting data as part of the South Africa-Norway Oceans (SANOCEAN) programme, which aimed at developing sustainable fisheries in estuaries. The project was one of the multi-funded contributions to the Algoa Bay project that the Hub also supports. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/ocean-connections-a-multimedia-exhibition/ |
| Description | An opinion piece 'All the world's a stage, and the oceans are becoming the new theatre of the developmental agenda in South Africa' published in Daily Maverick |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This opinion piece is written by Hub researcher, Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University), was published in Daily Maverick newspaper on 15 February 2022. It was written at the same time as campaign against Shell seismic survey intensifies in South Africa. It highlighted findings from Professor Boswell's Anthropological fieldwork in South Africa (2020-2022) which reveals that local communities in South Africa are culturally diverse, hold rich knowledge foundations, espouse an environmental holism, and are deeply concerned about ocean and coastal health. Professor Boswell further noted that regarding environmental (and spiritual) holism, the communities (especially the Khoisan descendants encountered), spoke of symbiosis between humans and Earth, including living and non-living entities. They worried about the irretrievable disruption of the ecological and spiritual balance necessary for all species to survive. Secondary data analysis showed the integration of diverse species in the spiritual engagement of indigenes with the spiritual and natural world. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2022-02-15-all-the-worlds-a-stage-and-the-oceans-are-bec... |
| Description | An opinion piece 'Coastal exclusive estates have social, economic and environmental impacts' in Mail & Guardian |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This is an opinion piece written by One Ocean Hub researcher Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University) for South Africa media, Mail & Guardian. The opinion piece was published on 13 February 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://mg.co.za/opinion/2022-02-13-coastal-exclusive-estates-have-social-economic-and-environmental... |
| Description | Ancestral storytelling underlying the Shell protest wows the UN |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Short film, theatre piece highlights role of arts in conservation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2023-06-13-off-track--ancestral-storytelling-underlying-the-shel... |
| Description | Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights in South Africa: 'Our ocean commons for a just future' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Coastal Justice Network organised a National Workshop for small-scale fishers in Gqeberha, South Africa, on 25-26th October 2023, to support small-scale fisher leaders in engaging on issues pertaining to the Ocean Economy Master Plan and Marine Spatial Planning and defending their rights as a sector in these processes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/anchoring-small-scale-fishers-rights-in-south-africa-our-ocean-commons-for-a... |
| Description | Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director Elisa Morgera took part in this year's Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and contributed to a panel titled "The impact of humanity's regional dependencies on coastal ecosystems". Morgera also gave a presentation on the Spotlight section, titled Coastal Ecosystems: The Relationship between Community and Environment: Integrated and inclusive governance for sustainable ocean management. The panel was organised by UKRI GCRF and involved also the Living Deltas Hub, as a panellist, and the Trade Hub, as a respondent. The panel covered different forms of coastal ecosystems (river deltas, mangroves and other coasts), to consider how countries can balance their need for economic prosperity and security with the global agenda of environmental protection and with local communities' reliance on coastal ecosystems for food, shelter, income, as well as their cultural and spiritual needs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7a8KkPTHyw |
| Description | Anti oil and gas workshop in Durban, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub early career researcher, Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town), participated in a workshop organised by Durban University of Technology and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), an environmental justice organisation based in South Durban, South Africa on 1-3 February 2022. The workshop brought together coastal community leaders from South Africa coastline, non-governmental organisation and academics to mobilise and strategise against a combination of Blue Economy initiatives that are not inclusive and marginalised the coastal communities such as Karpowerships, the South Africa Oceans Economy Master Plan, the mining and seismic surveys on the Wild Coast and West Coast of South Africa. As a result of this meeting there was a request to plan other community meetings in the Eastern Cape. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers, Prof Stuart Jeffrey and Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) were invited as speakers at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue", co-organised by the UNDP Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia which took place in Glasgow from the 6-7 November 2023 (Evidence all the attached files and the email below). The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a platform that brings together 51 archipelagic and island nations to take part in a collective forum addressing challenges of ocean resource usage for sustainable economic growth, climate change resiliency, ocean pollution, emergency management, and the enhancement of sustainable fisheries. The event was attended by over 100 participants including students, academics, government officials and representatives of UNDP. Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald contributed to one of the plenary sessions during the event focusing on "Sustainability and Communities Talk". During the session they highlighted the interrelatedness of art, culture, heritage and ocean governance, with particular focus on the nine community-based art projects carried out under the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund. Key messages that they shared include: - The important of businesses, governments, and individuals work together to address sustainability challenges by working with the communities and grassroot organisations that have both the contacts and local knowledge to address these challenges. - There are similar themes across the nine communities involved in DEEP Fund in terms of their connection to the ocean such as the essential role of customary law and people spiritual and cultural heritage in their society. - Current discussion on sustainable development goals (SDGs) overlooks the importance of culture. For example, the world culture is only mentioned twice in SDGs goals and targets. - Loss and damage caused by climate change should also be viewed from a cultural perspective. Climate change destroys lives, livelihoods, culture, traditions and heritage. At present Prof Jeffrey and Dr McDonald are working with communities in co-authoring a book that focuses on the nine DEEP Fund projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance... |
| Description | Arctic Workshop: Knowledge Production in policy relevant Arctic research project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited by the European Commission to deliver a presentation as part of the Knowledge Production in policy relevant Arctic research project workshop organised on 26th April 2022. This workshop came as a continuation of the EU Arctic Stakeholders Forum on 11 November 2021. It was organised by two Directorate Generals of the European Commission: the DG Research and Innovation (RTD) and the DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). Through the new EU Arctic Policy (October 2021), the EU pledged to invest in Arctic research under Horizon Europe, including cooperation with indigenous knowledge-holders and to involve women, young and Indigenous people more in relevant decision-making processes. Several projects and studies indicate that Arctic research with relevance for local and indigenous communities needs improved cooperation with people living in the Arctic, including Arctic indigenous peoples. Arctic peoples hold vital and historic knowledge about the unique Arctic ecosystems, and other types of actionable knowledge necessary to govern the Arctic. The workshop aimed to be a dialogue exercise where we can listen to different stories of 'interaction' by the indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge-holders, scientific researchers, knowledge mediators and artists or other actors working at the traditional knowledge/ science - policy interface. It explored effective ways to work across different knowledge production systems, which traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge are instances, in the context of a climate-changing world. Arctic Indigenous peoples hold unparalleled knowledge of the unique Arctic ecosystems and valuable skills to read and share early-warning signs through their centuries-long experiential and traditional knowledge. Therefore, their involvement is essential to co-develop resilience strategies and actions in the Arctic. Specific objectives of the event were: - To offer a place for dialogue across different ways of knowing, systems of knowledge production together to address current Arctic challenges. - To explore barriers that impede cooperation across knowledge systems: dispositions, competences, and agency. - To explore useful metaphors and vocabularies that help with overcoming divisive approaches to collaborate across different knowledge production systems. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.eu4oceanobs.eu/regional_initiatives/arctic/ |
| Description | Art exhibition centers around Durban's fishermen (South Africa) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A local newspaper in South Africa 'Berea Mail', published an article on The Fishers' Tales art exhibition at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts (KZNSA) art gallery on 13 March 2022. The Fishers' Tales exhibition was on display at the art gallery, open for viewing from 2 March until 3 April 2022. The Fishers' Tales exhibition provided a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban.The history of fishing in KwaZulu-Natal is where the Fishers' Tales art exhibition originates. The featured artists went down to Durban's South Beach and continued along the coast until Blue Lagoon and spoke to local fisherman. They looked into the history of the diverse people who live along this coastal province, the daily moments captured by the artists offers insight into these experiences, connecting with the ocean, and the complex permitting regulations that impacts negatively on the livelihoods of fishers' and their ability to practice fishing as part of their cultural heritage.The exhibition was funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme Fund. It was carried out in partnership with Durban University of Technology Urban Futures Centre, South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, and Glasgow School of Art. Hub researcher Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology) was interviewed as part of this article. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://bereamail.co.za/282549/art-exhibition-centers-around-durbans-fishermen/ |
| Description | Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Art(iv)istic Storytelling for Social Change Workshop was held on 4 June 2022 as part of the Fishers' Tales project. Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The stories and accompanying artwork seek to highlight the similarities and differences in fishers' engagements with the ocean from subsistence to recreational; provoking reflection, empathy and dialogue. In this sense, the project hopes to build both awareness and solidarity with subsistence and small-scale fishers, who have enormous knowledge and care for the ocean that sustains them. Fishers story, their observations and the meaning that the ocean holds for them has a lot to offer ocean governance in South Africa and should be an important part of decision-making processes. The project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/fishers-tales-stories-with-the-sea/ |
| Description | Article Published in Herald Scotland: The Glasgow research hub that's facing up to marine pollution |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Herald published an article titled 'The Glasgow research hub that's facing up to marine pollution' on the Hub on 18 March 2023. The article highlighted the Hub's innovative ways to approach consultation working in ocean governance. It also spotlighted the Hub's partnership with coastal communities dependent on the oceans to identify and engage with the decision-making that has an impacts on their lives and livelihoods. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23391099.glasgow-research-hub-facing-marine-pollution/ |
| Description | Artivism for a Resilient Future: Reflections from COP28 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Dylan McGarry recently had the privilege of participating in a panel at COP28 entitled "Artivism for a Resilient Future," organised by Hivos and the Climate Development Knowledge Network. The discussions were inspiring and surfacing the often-overlooked role of Indigenous, traditional, and local knowledge in climate research and policy, and the role artists play in working in solidarity with Indigenous movements in the climate struggle and associated poly-crises. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/artivism-for-a-resilient-future-reflections-from-cop28/ |
| Description | Arts based methods workshop at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Philile Mbatha (University of Cape Town, South Africa) attended this event in April 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This event that the Hub organised during the UN World Oceans Week was titled 'Arts-Based research and solidarity practices with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Plural Ocean Governance - lessons from South Africa'. This event showcased the various collaborative arts-based projects facilitated by Empatheatre and the One Ocean Hub in South Africa, that created new pathways and collaborative solidarity practices that facilitate meaningful knowledge and evidence co-production in national policy, legal, and judicial processes. In addition, these projects have supported the development of a Knowledge Action Network in South Africa for plural approaches to ocean governance. The workshop took participants through five key stages of conducting iterative, ongoing, ethically, and politically rigorous knowledge action in the space of ocean governance. Using mixed-media, interactive performance, and generative dialogue, the workshop explored how these approaches could be adapted and included in the work of international development projects by the UN, NGOs or academic researchers to support the protection of indigenous knowledge holders' human rights and advocate for their inclusion in decision-making processes, and generally support more inclusive and meaningful consultation processes at the national level. At the event, the Empatheatre team also screened a new short documentary "The Making of Umkhosi Wenala: the Festival of Abundance," a new theatre-based research project co-developed with 13 young artists (Mbazwana Creative Arts) in northern KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Australia ICOMOS ACT Chapter Public Lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This lecture by Stuart Jeffrey (Glasgow School of Art, UK) explored the evolution of digital methods in heritage, including the digital heritage object (DHO), highlighting some of the fundamental issues this raises, including the unexpected transformation of DHOs from passive record to dynamic portal. The DHO, a transmediation of a physical site or heritage object into a digital form, has undergone a number of significant conceptual changes. Initially conceived of as a digital version of traditional analogue records, they may now assume a status distinct from, but parallel to, the physical original. In an echo of historic replicas, the DHO can become an artefact in its own right, while their production is arguably a significant chapter in the biography of the original. Recognising this can create new opportunities for engagement and empowerment through creative response, co-design and co-production as well as offering moments of intervention that can directly impact the forms of significance and authenticity associated with the site or object in question. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://everydayheritage.au/events/australia-icomos-act-chapter-public-lecture-prof-stuart-jeffrey-c... |
| Description | Averting a collision course? Beyond the pandemic instrument and the International Health Regulations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In April 2023 Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) gave a talk at the event hosted by the Geneva Graduate Institute. The event examined examples of benefit-sharing mechanisms in international treaties and was essential for reflecting on the way forward with the two negotiation processes currently underway under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Better understanding the negative impacts of international investment law for human rights and the marine environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights have raised the alarm about the negative impacts on the environment and on human rights of foreign investment in offshore energy projects, deep-seabed mining and other blue economy initiatives, relying on evidence provided by the One Ocean Hub and partner International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) on the basis of earlier research on international investment law and blue economies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/better-understanding-the-negative-impacts-of-international-investment-law-fo... |
| Description | Beyond Inclusive Conservation: Centering Human Rights in Conservation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) spoke at this online event on Inclusive conservation - conservation that acknowledges and supports the rights, needs, visions, voices, and leadership of local populations and communities in the protection and management of nature - is key to achieving positive outcomes for both biodiversity and people. Indeed, those working toward global conservation goals broadly recognize the need to embrace inclusive conservation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://vimeo.com/904181537/7f972bc381?share=copy |
| Description | Beyond the Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities for Law and Development |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Fifth Annual Conference of the Law and Development Research Network (LDRN) - "Beyond the Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities for Law and Development" was hosted online by Nelson Mandela University Faculty of Law, South Africa, on 24 - 26 November 2021. The Conference's aim was to explore the meaning, causes and consequences of the role of law in development, and seek to identify appropriate responses and opportunities from the network of researchers and practitioners in law and development. The Conference supported the law and development community in engaging in discussions from both mainstream and critical perspectives on the role of law- both domestic and international - in relation to development and governance. One Ocean Hub researchers collectively contributed 10 papers addressing a variety of issues related to inclusive, integrated, and sustainable ocean governance at different scales (national, regional, and international), including from a human rights perspective. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-law-and-development-from-an-ocean-perspective/ |
| Description | Blasting along the West Coast threatens the future of small-scale fishers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Coastal Justice Network published a press release titled 'Blasting along the west coast threatens the future of small scale fisher' on 15 January 2022. The press release highlighted the threats posed by seismic survey to small-scale fishers livelihoods and what needs to be done to support small-scale fishers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/full-press-release-blasting-along-the-west-coast-threatens-the-f... |
| Description | Blue Economy workshops in Utuseb, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, and Henties Bay, Namibia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Namibia is developing a policy and action plan for the development of the country's sustainable blue economy. Implementation of this plan requires a deep understanding of the ecosystem, and ecosystem services on which coastal communities are reliant, and communities' needs and benefits related to the ocean. The One Ocean Hub research in Namibia is aimed to support the development of inclusive and just policy and action plan for the sustainable blue economy in this country. To serve this aim, a series of workshop was organised throughout 2021 in Utuseb, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, and Henties Bay, Namibia to gain the stakeholders views on what can be done to improve local communities and indigenous peoples' access to coastal resources and market. These participatory workshops brought together representatives of government, businesses, coastal communities in the four coastal towns of Namibia and the Topnaar indigenous peoples. The first workshop took place at Utuseb was attended by 28 Topnaar community members. The second workshop in Walvisbay was attended by 18 participants that entail local communities, Walvis Bay town council, NAMPORT, and the Omaru fishing company. The third workshop in Swakopmund was attended by 20 participants that include, the regional office, town council, and the Benguela Current Comission as well as local NGO's The fourth workshop in Hentisbay was attended by 23 participants that include local communities and NGOs. The fifth workshop was attended by 16 participants including the Ministry of Fisheries, the Community Skills Development Centres (COSDEC) Benguela, NAMPORT, Luderitz Town Council, Blue Kelp, and Constituency Youth Forum. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/kfc934rquah6qi7kvp25ltn3v9?0 |
| Description | Blue Economy: Sustainability, Innovation and Our Ocean |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This free MOOC is delivered through a partnership between two internationally recognised institutions: the University of Seychelles (UniSey) (One Ocean Hub Partner) and the Commonwealth of Learning, and is facilitated by Kelly Hoareau, Director of the James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute at UniSey, and One Ocean Hub Co-Director. This MOOC introduces key blue economy sectors that can be developed, for example, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, Seabed Mining and Marine Biotechnology. The course also explores some of the key considerations that influence the sustainability of individual sectors and blue economy strategies as a whole. Led by University of Seychelles, the course was conceptualised and it's content and individual modules developed by multiple One Ocean Hub partners. To date, this MOOC (of which 3 of 5 course have been run) has reached over 3000 registered participants in more than 70 countries. Details of the full partnership (of multiple Hub partners) included in this activity are reported under "Partnerships and Collaborations". Countries involved: Course content was developed by researchers in: Seychelles, South Africa, West Indies, and UK Course reach: 70 countries globally The course is hosted by the Commonwealth for Learning on their MOOCs for Development site- a dedicated platform that provides a free learning experience at low bandwidth and offline where necessary, particularly targeting DAC countries. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.mooc4dev.org/BlueEconomy3 |
| Description | Bonn Climate Conference 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In June 2023, Hub researcher Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) attended and presented at the Bonn Climate Conference. The conference's objective was to build on the mandates that emerged from COP27 in Egypt last year, the conference hosted a large number of mandated events and continued discussions on issues of critical importance, such as the global stocktake, global goal on adaptation, just transition, loss and damage, and the mitigation work programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-bonn-climate-conferences-ocean-dialogue/ |
| Description | Brainstorming on new UN guidance on economic, social and cultural rights and sustainable development |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | "Can the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights impose obligations of restraint in the use of natural resources to ensure sustainable development? Considering planetary boundaries and the need to ensure intra- and inter-generational equity, are there limits to the progressive realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, and the continuous improvement of living conditions? These were some of the questions that the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights discussed on 24 February 2023, during a general discussion on developing a new UN guidance on economic, social and cultural rights and sustainable development. The One Ocean Hub participated in this conversation and is preparing a written submission to contribute to this crucial development under international human rights law, to ensure that the ocean, blue justice and ocean-dependent human rights, including those of small-scale fishers, women, children and ocean defenders, are not overlooked. During the general discussion, Hub Director Elisa Morgera made the following remarks: - The need to include threats arising from blue economy initiatives on economic, social and cultural rights (as we have shared with the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights), and the expectations they create for foreign investors, which may limit the ability of States to protect ocean-dependent human rights; - The opportunity to build on guidance adopted by consensus by the 196 parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity on the ecosystem approach, as it can support the protection of the human rights of Indigenous Peoples and small-scale fishers; - The need to clarify obligations on strategic environmental assessments of proposed laws, policies and programmes, to ensure considering of systematic and historical causes of marginalization and the impacts of climate change; The need to consider the role of international ocean governance in addressing questions related to human rights and sustainable development, including the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement; - The need to clarify that the human right to science and the duty of international cooperation require technology co-development, as opposed to technology transfer, and mutual capacity building; - The role of the protection of ocean-related cultural rights and art-based approaches as a way to co-develop knowledge, on foreseeable human rights impacts and supporting generative dialogues for transformative governance towards inclusive and truly sustainable development." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/brainstorming-on-new-un-guidance-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-and-... |
| Description | Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) was invited to "Breaking Barriers: Advancing the One Health Agenda with a Focus on Environment," on 12-13 October 2023 in Berlin, Germany as a speaker to a Breakout Session on the topic of "connecting to policy & legal frameworks." The event was organised by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health (The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, The World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health), the Wildlife Conservation Society, the German Agency for International Cooperation and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade. This event brought together decision-makers, scientists, and implementers taking action related to the environmental pillar of the One Health approach. Underpinned by the Berlin Principles of 2019, the One Health approach reaffirms the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to health and a shared understanding that healthy and intact ecosystems provide a critical foundation for present and future health and wellbeing. Discussions at the event drew on insights from the Quadripartite's One Health Joint Plan of Action and insights from the One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP). It focused on the environmental pillar of a One Health approach and provided a space to review the status of implementation, showcased experiences gained, identified guidance for next steps towards action, and shed light on important topics that seem to receive less attention. Drawing from the Hub research findings on marine biodiversity and access and benefit sharing Prof Morgera's intervention focused on the development of the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Preparedness Treaty. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/breaking-barriers-around-one-health/ |
| Description | Broadcast - Children's Programme SOUTH AFRICA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Robyn Adams (early-career researcher SANBI) appeared on a South African children's television show called "Ekse" (Afrikaans for ''I say"). It aired on a community television station called Cape Town TV, which is also carried on national cable news network DSTv. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhttFGqbB64&t=1s |
| Description | CGG online meeting Oil and Gas |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa) attended this event in May 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | COP 26 Green Zone: COP26 Universities Network Exhibition Booth |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This exhibition was organised by the One Ocean Hub for COP26 Universities Network' Green Zone Exhibition. The poster exhibition focussed on inclusive ocean governance, integrating myriad human relationships with, and knowledge of, the sea. The posters communicated the effectiveness of transdisciplinary research in uniting diverse stakeholders, including researchers, civil society, youth and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) to promote an inclusive approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation. The exhibition demonstrated how transdisciplinary research can promote sustainable and just climate action by engaging multiple knowledge systems. The themes highlighted in the poster exhibition included the impacts of climate change upon communities, mitigation of change affecting marine ecosystems, efforts to build fisheries resilience, and human rights of children and young people in the context of climate adaptation. The Hub's early career researchers including Dr Lisa McDonald, Marly Muudeni, Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Kelsey Barnhill, Dr Nina Rivers, Mia Strand, Dr Alana Lancaster, Dr Holly Niner and Dr David Wilson were involved in preparing the event proposal, designing the poster, and assisting the Hub's support team in engaging with public at the exhibition. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/posters-exhibition-on-inclusive-ocean-governance-for-decisive-climate-action... |
| Description | COP 26: A Roundtable Discussion on the Ocean and Climate Justice: Impact, Adaptation and Mitigation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This event was organised by the One Ocean Hub for as part of the Scottish Government COP26 event series. Ocean covers 70 per cent of the earth's surface, absorbs 25% of global carbon dioxide and produces 50% the oxygen we breathe. However, the nexus between the ocean and climate change has been overlooked. This roundtable discussion highlighted an important message that inclusive ocean governance is essential to ensure that resilience and adaptation to climate change is sustainable and just. The roundtable explored the impacts of climate change upon an array of internationally guaranteed human rights such as the human right to health and in some coastal communities, the right to self-determination and life. Given the close relationship between climate change and the enjoyment of human rights, this roundtable illuminated the importance of integrating human rights in society's response to climate change. This roundtable discussion further drew attention to the challenges posed by climate change upon indigenous peoples and small-scale fishing communities, distribution of fish stocks, and the structure of deep-sea ecosystems. It provided an opportunity to discuss innovation and adaptation strategies that can support the sustainability of the oceans and improve communities' resilience. 1. Climate change, the ocean and human rights: The role of arts in furthering justice for indigenous peoples, small-scale fishers, rural women and children Dr Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde) & Professor Stuart Jeffrey (Glasgow School of Art) 2. Political ecology of climate change and indigenous peoples' and local communities' customary laws Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde, UK) & Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University) 3. Blue Economy Solutions towards Climate Adaptation and Resilience Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde), Professor Jeremy Hills (University of South Pacific) & Dr Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles). 4. Multiple Threats from Climate Change and Different Management Scenarios: Visualising and Predicting Deep-sea Species and Habitats Distribution Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh) 5. Fisheries under Climate Change: the use of models in assessing impacts and improving adaptation measures Dr John Pinnegar (CEFAS) & Professor Warwick Sauer (Rhodes University). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S2145wf54XI&feature=youtu.be |
| Description | COP 26: Climate-related conflict: Arts-based mediation and recourse to redress |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This COP26 side event was co-organised by the One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). A short animation film titled Indlela yokuphila ("The soul's journey") made by artists, traditional healers, marine sociologists, and deep-sea marine ecologists from South Africa was screened at the event, followed by a discussion of the One Ocean Hub's findings on how to use art-based mediation in climate-related conflict and the role of small-scale fishers as environmental human rights defenders. Green Climate Fund presented different avenues through which the IRM provides recourse to complaints arising from the adverse impacts of GCF projects and programmes. Chair: Dr Bernadette Snow, One Ocean Hub Speakers: Professor Elisa Morgera, One Ocean Hub Dr Lalanath de Silva, Independent Redress Mechanism Green Climate Fund Dr Dylan McGarry, Rhodes University Dr Kira Erwin, Durban University of Technology Ms Mpume Mthombeni, Empatheatre Mr Paco Gimenez-Salinas, Independent Redress Mechanism Green Climate Fund Mr Pablo Lumerman, Intercultural Mediator/Facilitator & Honorary Member of ICCA See the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t26a64bkoffj28qn873jhr8ffn |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufOGgRoPrM |
| Description | COP 26: Exploring law and policy strategies and frameworks to address climate related ocean change |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This COP26 side event was organised by: One Ocean Hub, The Ocean Foundation & the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification. The event was organised as part of the Climate Law and Governance day of events. The event brought together marine and climate experts, together to discuss the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on the marine environment and ecosystem services, potential mitigation and adaptation measures. The aim of the event was to identify synergies between the law of the sea and the climate change regimes that could maximise the effectiveness of potential responses to ongoing and significant changes in the marine ecosystems (and their services to humans) from the local to the global levels as a result from climate change. Ocean warming and acidification has been already affecting marine productivity (including fisheries), carbon sink processes, distribution of species, and ocean currents patterns. Some of these changes (or the combination of those) could lead to irreversible tipping points in marine systems and the planet more broadly. Hence, the need for a more integrated approach in interpreting and negotiating decisions under relevant global frameworks regarding oceans, climate and biodiversity. Chairs: Mr Mark J. Spalding (President, The Ocean Foundation) & Dr Francesco Sindico (Reader in International Environmental Law, Strathclyde Univ Law School) Speakers & Discussants: Dr Daniela Diz (Heriot Watt Univ); Prof Murray Roberts (Edinburgh Univ); Adv Kate McKenzie (Strathclyde Univ); Adv Mitchell Lennan (Strathclyde Univ); Dr Kirsty McQuaid (Plymouth Univ); Ms Alexis Valauri-Orton (Ocean Foundation); Dr Libby Jewett (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration); Dr Renée Martin-Nagle (Treasurer, International Water Resources Association IWRA, President & CEO, A Ripple Effect). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.climatelawgovernance.org/events/climate-law-governance-day-2021/ |
| Description | COP 26: Message in a Bottle: Island Youth, COP26 and Children's Rights to a Healthy Ocean |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This COY16-the 16th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth side-event was jointly hosted by Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance and the One Ocean Hub. The event focussed on the voices of young people in climate change discussions, in particular, coastal and island youth within the context of COP26 and rights to a healthy ocean. The event included an interactive session involving panel discussions, short film screenings, and group reflections. See the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/7ooe2sk9buckin8kbh3gu1jc5k |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.taigh-chearsabhagh.org/events/cop26messagebottle/ |
| Description | COP 26: Rio Conventions Pavilion (Ecosystem Restoration): Supporting a Decade of Action on Ecosystem Restoration |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This official side event of COP26 was organised by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat. Prof Elisa Morgera was an invited panel member. The event highlighted the value of undertaking land and ecosystem restoration, using ecologically sound principles to realize multiple benefits, including many SDGs and targets under the Rio Conventions. It aimed to raise awareness of on the multiple pathways to recovery and resilience offered by restoration activities as well as tools and technologies to support countries. - Supported by scientific evidence, the respective mandates and decisions of the three Rio Conventions point to multiple pathways for land and ecosystem restoration to be a viable economic activity that can help mitigate planetary crises and foster sustainable development. - Initiatives under the Rio Conventions, such as REDD+, and the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative and Peace Forest Initiative, are well-positioned to support countries as they plan and implement SMART restoration targets. - The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration provides a key platform for engagement and the post-2020 global https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/biodiversity framework will provide a structure of guidance and ambition. - The Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative implemented by the CBD Secretariat and supported by the Korea Forest Service is positioned to support countries as they plan and implement SMART targets on ecosystem restoration. Following Professor Morgera presentation at the Rio Convention Pavilion event the CBD Secretariat has offered the Hub to contribute to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework in December 2021 and January 2022 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MdcUyY09CU |
| Description | COP 26: Transitioning to the Blue Economy (the role of university partnerships in supporting sustainable development) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This official side event of COP26 was hosted by the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Professor Elisa Morgera was an invited panel member of the event. Chair: Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive, Association of Commonwealth Universities Panel: Hon. Dean Jonas, Minister for the Blue Economy, Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Dr Donovan Campbell, Dr Nick Hardman-Mountford, Head of Oceans and Natural Resources, Commonwealth Secretariat, Samantha Cohen CVO, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and Prof Elisa Morgera, Principal Investigator, One Ocean Hub, University of Strathclyde. Professor Elisa Morgera presentation was met with positive feedback from the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the Minister of Antigua and Barbuda that are planning to develop a centre of excellence for Blue Economy. There was a discussion on proposed inclusion of 'Blue MBA' that will involve the Hub in the development. In January 2021, the Hub connected with the University of West Indies to continue engagement with the creation of the centre of excellence for Blue Economy, as well as joint grant applications under the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, as well as under the University of West Indies's Centre for Climate Resilience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=9483&v=yBVHHiQv4hM&feature=youtu.be |
| Description | COP 26: Virtual Ocean Pavilion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub was an official partner to the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (VOP) which was led by the Global Ocean Forum. The VOP was dedicated to showcase why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aimed to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus at the UN Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. This pavilion was live from 1st-12th November 2021 and it: -Highlighted important ocean events throughout COP - Hosted panel sessions linking the ocean with the themes of the GCA events and SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue themes to provide input to these discussions; - Featured interviews with Party negotiators to gain insights on the status of discussions; - Provided a gateway to ocean and climate stories from around the world through virtual exhibits, on-demand videos, reports and other online resources. The One Ocean Hub contributed a number of Hub written resources (including policy briefs, academic publications, and short summaries), videos (of Hub events, and featuring Hub research), as well the following live and pre-recorded events and interview with a COP negotiator: 1. Live Event 1st November 2021: SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Theme: Strengthening Cooperation and Collaboration among relevant UN Bodies in Tackling Ocean and Climate Change. 2. Live Event 12th November 2021: Children and Young People' Human Rights to a Healthy Ocean: Their Importance for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation 3. Interview with Ms Angelique Pouponneau, COP26 Delegation Seychelles (Interview by Hub Co-Director Kelly Hoareau). 4. Pre-recorded event: One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change event for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (on demand event). 5. Pre-recorded event UN Decades and SDG synergies at the Ocean-Climate Nexus for the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (on demand event). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://cop26oceanpavilion.vfairs.com/ |
| Description | COP28: Children's rights to a healthy environment at the ocean-climate nexus |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This event was chaired by Hub's early career researcher Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen, UK). It was co-organised with UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Dr David Boyd; Child Rights International Network (CRIN); Terre des Hommes; UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children's; Alana; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change; UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Dr Ian Fry. The event explored the transformative role of children's right to a healthy environment including coastal and marine spaces following the recent adoption of the UN General Comment 26 on children's human rights and a healthy environment, with a special focus on climate change. It highlighted the importance of children's right to be heard in ocean governance decision-making fora, the need to facilitate children's participation in international processes, and the scope of State obligations to ensure respect for children's rights and interests. The event brought together representatives of children, civil society, international organisations, and researchers to provide opportunities for intergenerational dialogue on the protection of children's human rights in the context of changing climate. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-dubai-climate-change-conference-cop28/ |
| Description | COP28: GROW@COP Opening Session "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen, UK) attended and presented an Opening Session titled "Bridging the Gaps: Uniting Oceans, Freshwater Ecosystems, and the SDGs for a Sustainable and Interconnected World, which was held at COP 28. GROW@COP was a collaborative effort between Webit Foundation and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), a climate-focused independent organisation under the leadership of HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. GROW@COP28 Dubai featured the semifinals and finals of the Webit Foundation's Founders Games, hosted at the UICCA Pavilion during COP28. This competition boasted the world's most substantial funding award ever, a staggering USD 6 million generously provided by over 750 investors through the publicly listed Webit Investment Network (BSE: WIN). The event brought together public, private, third sectors, and civil society to craft non-partisan recommendations for stakeholders and forging partnerships that drive the UAE's net-zero aspirations and the transition to a green economy. The Hub was invited to this event through our partnership with Global Alliance for A Sustainable (GASP) Planet, a non-profit organisation based in New York, United States that supports and mobilises peer-to-peer innovation across geographies to a collaborative network of industry experts. The Hub was invited by GASP to submit a side-event application for the GASP Pavilion at COP28 and later, to participate in the GROW@COP event. GASP is one of the co-organisers of the GROW@COP opening event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-dubai-climate-change-conference-cop28/ |
| Description | COP28: General Comment 26: How can it be game changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen, UK) attended and presented a session titled General Comment 26: How can it be game-changing at COP decisions with the lens of child's rights, which was held at COP 28. This event was put together by CERI - Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, a coalition of global organisations advocating for a safe climate for children. It was led by Instituto Alana. The goal of this event was to mobilise decision-makers and advocacy groups to learn about General Comment 26 and ensure that all climate decisions safeguard the rights of the most vulnerable, particularly children, and cooperate with language on policy coherence at COP. We believe there needs to be a cohesive decision that mainstreams child rights in all UNFCCC processes. There needs to be a #COPforCHILDREN. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-dubai-climate-change-conference-cop28/ |
| Description | COP28: Ocean Climate Spotlights Talk at the Ocean Decade & OceanX Pavilion: an ocean solutions partnership! |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The ten-minute talk by Dr Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen, UK) reflected on the One Ocean Hub's research and experience on the importance of transdisciplinary knowledge co-production for sustainable ocean climate action. Transdisciplinary research involves working with stakeholders and rightsholders, including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women and children, experts from varied disciplines, and other knowledge holders in the co-production of ocean governance solutions. This talk engaged attendees with an extract from a short film produced by the One Ocean Hub titled "The Story of the Topnaar People in Namibia." The Topnaar people were the first inhabitants documented as settling in Walvis Bay along the Namibian coast. For several centuries, their cultural livelihoods depended heavily on ocean resources. During colonial and apartheid rule, they were forcibly displaced from their coastal dwelling places, with their access to coastal marine resources and fishing grounds restricted. The short film dives deeper into the Topnaar people's struggles and shows how the One Ocean Hub has been facilitating connections between the Topnaar people, the ocean and decision-makers, so they can be recognised as bona fide stakeholders and right-holders in ocean-climate governance processes. This event was co-organised by the Hub with the Ocean Decade Secretariat. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-dubai-climate-change-conference-cop28/ |
| Description | COP28: The UN CC:Learn Climate Classroom: Climate change and the ocean |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK) attended and presented a United Nations Climate Change (UN CC) and the Ocean class which took place at COP 28. In this class, students were first introduced to the concept of the ocean-climate nexus and the various climate change impacts on the ocean and humans. The class then explored the interlinkages between ecosystem services, climate change and the governance of these elements in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The final part of the class discussed the potential for ocean-based climate action to protect the marine environment that simultaneously respects, protects and upholds human rights. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-early-career-researcher-delivers-the-first-climate-classroom-dedicated-t... |
| Description | Can the humanities help save the ocean(s)? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This blog post reflects on the role of humanities to help save the ocean, based on interactions at the summer seminar "OCEAN: Use and Regulations of World Oceans - a Cross-Disciplinary Conversation" held in Tromsø, Norway from 12-16 June, 2023. The aim of the OCEAN seminar was to facilitate thought-provoking conversations on traditions, discourses, beliefs and regimes that regulate human interaction with, and exploitation of, the world's ocean(s). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/can-the-humanities-help-save-the-oceans/ |
| Description | Celebrating international collaborations at THE awards conference and ceremony |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub's collaboration with South Africa's Empatheatre was celebrated at the 'Oscars of Higher Education' - the Times Higher Education Awards (THE) and THE Campus Live UK&IE conference that 'bring together higher education leaders, industry partners and policy experts' from the UK and Ireland 'to discuss, debate and plan how to achieve institutional success'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/celebrating-international-collaborations-at-the-awards-conference-and-ceremo... |
| Description | Celebration of Africa Day Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub Deputy Director Dr Bernadette Snow was invited to be a speaker for a 'Celebration of Africa Day Webinar' scheduled on 25th May 2022 by the South Africa Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. The theme of the event was "tackling climate change and its effect to the environment and humankind." The Webinar was aimed to be the convergence of role players from different sectors to reflect and debate on the identified topics. Dr Bernadette Snow was requested to make a presentation on the key topic "tackling climate change and its effects to the environment and humankind" in order to give more impetus to the session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Centre for Maritime Research (MARE) 12th People and the Sea Conference in Amsterdam themed: 'Blue Fear: navigating ecological, social and existential anxieties during the Anthropocene' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Early career researcher Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) presented and chaired a session on "Building knowledge through assessment for sustainable coastal livelihoods and food security" on Thursday 29 June. The session included other panelists including Chandima Ramyakanthi, Rachel Kelly, and Luis Outeiro |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://marecentre.nl/wp-content/uploads/MARE-CONFERENCE-2023-_-FOR-PRINT.pdf |
| Description | Changing lives through human rights workshops and pop-up legal clinics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This article provides an overview of hub activity in Ghana |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/listening-closely-hub-engagement-in-ghana/ |
| Description | Cheltnam Science Festival 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Prof Elisa Morgera was invited to give a talk at the Cheltnam Science Festival 2020. In partnership with UKRI, the festival's focus for 2020 was the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Prof Morgera was asked to contribute a talk under SDG14 (Life Below Water). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/events/690120288224276 |
| Description | Civil Society Consultation: Strengthening the partnership between civil society and the United Nations to advance the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In September 2023, Hub director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) attended the Civil Society Consultation. The consultation was carried out under the umbrella of the Call to Action for Human Rights (C2A for details see: https://www.un.org/sg/sites/www.un.org.sg/files/atoms/files/The_Highest_Asperation_A_Call_To_Action_For_Human_Right_English.pdf). Call to Action for Human Rights (C2A) is the UN Secretary General's transformative vision for human rights. Focusing on seven thematic areas, the C2A recognizes human rights as central to our most pressing issues, namely the urgent achievement of sustainable development; the protection of all people, tackling gender inequality, ensuring robust civic space for everybody; advancing the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment including for future generations; ensuring a safe digital world; and finally - all pitching in together to make this a reality. The primary purpose of the consultation was to provide a forum for the UN system and civil society organizations to come together to share experiences and discuss how the C2A can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthen protection for environmental human rights defenders. Input on the collaboration between civil society and the United Nations, particularly at the country level, and suggestions for how to strengthen this partnership in the area of human rights and the environment, and the protection of environmental human rights defenders, were highly appreciated. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.un.org/sg/sites/www.un.org.sg/files/atoms/files/The_Highest_Asperation_A_Call_To_Action_... |
| Description | Clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through a human rights lens |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen, UK) ran a webinar, with various environmental NGOs, on clarifying States' duties to protect the ocean from climate change impacts, through a human rights lens, as s follow up to our written submission to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), which has been requested to clarify what States need to do (and do better) to effectively mitigate climate change and prevent further negative impacts on the ocean. Together with Greenpeace International, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, and Opportunity Green, we co-organised a webinar to underscore the relevance of international human rights law and international biodiversity law (and biodiversity science) to interpret States' obligations to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change. 131 participants joined the webinar. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7getPDKAmqc |
| Description | Climate COP27: Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea (Children and Youth Pavilion) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | On 16th November 2022 the Hub and partners (listed below) co-organised an event titled "Advancing human rights standards in nature-based solutions: lessons from land to sea" at the first ever Children and Youth Pavilion at UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP). The hybrid event at the COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion brought together children and youth representatives, organisations that work closely with youth, and experts. It was co-led by the One Ocean Hub and Mara Ghilan, a youth representative from the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate. The event focused on biodiversity finance and the ocean-climate-human rights nexus. It provided a platform to hear and young voices on climate change mitigation and adaptation with nature-based solutions and enabled inter-generational learning on human rights and climate finance. The event explored what lessons can be learned from nature-based solutions in promoting and protecting children's and youth rights as attention on ocean-based climate action grows. It was designed to meet three objectives, namely to: - Highlight the nexus between the ocean, climate change, biodiversity and human rights; - Explore how children's human rights can be promoted and protected when implementing nature-based climate solutions in the marine environment; and - Clarify how we can respect human rights standards in ocean-based climate solutions, by learning lessons from land-based climate action. Partners: Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Conflict Research Network West Africa - Ghana Office. LSE, Global Youth Ambassador (GAUC), YOUNGO, terre des hommes, Global Youth Biodiversity Network, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Oceanic Global, Peace Boat, UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights, Stellenbosch University, Columbia University, Sciences Po, Imperial College, Grantham Research Institute, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), UK. List of panellists Mitchell Lennan, One Ocean Hub Mara Ghilan, Global Alliance of Universities on Climate Alutha from South Africa supported by Ms Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University and Nozipiwo Hambaze, SAEON. Camila from Ghana supported by Dr Bolanle Erinosho, University of Cape Coast, Dr Harrison Golo, University of Education and Dr Ibrahim Sulley, Conflict Research Network West Africa - Ghana Office. Maya-Natuk, Child Advisor to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Greenland, supported by Katie Reid, terre des hommes. Aniva, Child Advisor to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Samoa, supported by Katie Reid, terre des hommes. Sudha Kottillil, Global Youth Biodiversity Network. Mark Haver, Sustainable Ocean Alliance. Cassia Patel, Oceanic Global. Emilie McGlone, Peace Boat. Kayleigh Murray, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Dr David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on the Environment and Human Rights Dr Bernadette Snow, One Ocean Hub. Read the event report here:https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/57llemn21brt7e8s9q2cs1vjg9. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-childrens-rights-through-nature-based-solutions/ |
| Description | Climate COP27: Alana exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Video of Alutha Botha, a youth representative from South Africa (here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/jgj5trosprgc9olarb6mq84km7?0) and of Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a children representative from Ghana (here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/pns8161t603ee7hf4njek4kmcf?2) were screened at Alana exhibition booth at the Exibition Pavillion of Climate COP27 (Blue Zone). The video had been viewed by 600 persons. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/ |
| Description | Climate COP27: Climate Change and Ecosystem Services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (Virtual Ocean Pavilion) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This event was led by the Hub's early career researcher, Dr Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK) and was co-organised with the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea and the International Union for Conservation of Nature on 16th November 2022. The high seas cover 40 per cent of the Earth's surface. They account for 64 per cent of the surface of the ocean and nearly 95 per cent of its volume (see Prip, 2021). Despite their remoteness, these regions are integral to the delivery of global ocean processes that enable humanity to thrive. They host a major proportion of the world's biodiversity valued for the vast range of ecosystem services it provides. Biodiversity can act as an insurance policy against ecosystem service loss driven by climatic changes, imparting resilience that can allow the system to adapt. However, biodiversity is not immune to the pressures of climate change and its protection requires the 'climate responsive' governance of areas beyond national jurisdiction to prevent its degradation. At COP26 in November 2021, the ocean was officially integrated into all areas of work at the UNFCCC for the first time. On that basis, this panel focused on the nexus of climate change and marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, and the implications for critical ecosystem services. In particular the panel explored the extent to which this inclusion can facilitate harmonisation between various actors and beneficiaries of ecosystem services in the governance of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Agenda: Introduction of the side event and opening remarks by Dr Holly Niner, University of Plymouth, UK; A presentation on "An overview of the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction," by Ms Valentina Germani, United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea; A presentation on "Marine plankton dependant ecosystem services in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction and the predicted impacts of climate change on plankton diversity" by Dr Aurelie Spadone, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); A presentation "Reflecting on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change" by Dr Alana Lancaster, University of the West Indies, Barbados; A presentation on "The future of Cold-Water Coral reefs and their biodiversity: the knowns and the unknowns" by Dr Sebastian Hennige and Kristina Beck, University of Edinburgh; Q&A 14:25 Closing remarks. Key messages from the event are summarised in a blogpost here: https://oneoceanhub.org/climate-change-ecosystem-services-in-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/. For further information read the event report here:https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1. Watch the event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL2vg4urAg |
| Description | Climate COP27: Deep Ocean, the Decade, and Climate Change: Mitigation, Impacts, Adaptation, and Interventions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | This event was led by Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean. The One Ocean Hub's Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow was invited to present at the event as the Hub's Research Programme 4 (OOH RP4) has been formally endorsed as a Decade Action under Challenger 150, a global cooperative focused on deep-sea biological research, in 2022. This event highlighted the Decade for Ocean Science programs focused on the deep ocean and their link to understanding and addressing climate change. The Deep Ocean Observing Strategy, Challenger 150, JETZON, and One Deep Ocean were represented. Participants discussed natural mitigation roles of the deep ocean; impacts on deep ecosystems of warming, acidification, deoxygenation and other changes; opportunities for deep-ocean adaptation (climate smart blue economy and conservation), exploration and discovery to generate novel climate solutions, and ocean-based CO2 removal opportunities and challenges. The event also explored the role of finance and investment in deep-ocean research and action. Event Significance: The deep sea (below 200 m) covers 40% of the planet and comprises over 95% of habitable volume. Most of the ocean is deep ocean, and it plays an outsized role in carbon and heat sequestration. This mitigation leads to impacts on deep ecosystems from warming, acidification, deoxygenation, altered food supply and potentially from climate interventions including carbon dioxide removal into the deep ocean. It also creates adaptation opportunities within national and international waters. The event highlighted the importance of the deep ocean in climate regulation and climate solutions. Panellists: Nan Chin Chu, iFREMER Lisa Levin, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UC Sand Diego Torsten Thiele, Global Ocean Trust Bernadette Snow, One Ocean Hub Heleb Leau, iFremer Ken Bueseller, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOi) Maria Baker, University of Southampton For more information read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vaaog76dcbvqq1tjsmrpch6m9h. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vaaog76dcbvqq1tjsmrpch6m9h |
| Description | Climate COP27: Financing Ocean Science for Climate Action in the framework of the Ocean Decade (led by the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The COP27 side-event was led by the the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and co-organised with the Hub and other partners including Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, BNP Paribas speaker, United Nations Development Programme, Early Career Ocean Professionals, OceanHub Africa, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Fugro, on 12th November 2022. A key focus of COP27 would be on tangible actions, partnerships and initiatives - including financing - to implement the commitments made by parties to the UNFCCC with a specific focus on the needs of Africa and Small Island Developing States. Given the central role of the ocean in future climate adaptation and mitigation solutions, and the critical knowledge gaps that persist on the ocean-climate nexus, financing needs for ocean science and knowledge generation and uptake need to be central to this discussion. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (the Ocean Decade) provides a framework to convene diverse actors in the identification, implementation and resourcing of priority ocean science and knowledge initiatives. The Ocean Decade Africa Roadmap identifies priorities specific to Africa and recognizes the need for a robust enabling environment to be built throughout the Ocean Decade to ensure that actors in Africa and other vulnerable regions have the skills and technology to generate and use ocean science and knowledge needs for climate action. This side event explored the challenges faced in financing and supporting ocean science for climate action with a focus on Africa, and present global examples and experience in innovative and diverse financing and resource mobilisation approaches that could be adapted for implementation by diverse partners in Africa in the context of the Ocean Decade. At the event, the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow, explained the following key points: - why co-design and capacity development are fundamental and inter-related elements of the Ocean Decade. - What are some of the priority needs for resources to support co-design and capacity development, particularly in Africa? - What are some of the opportunities that exist to generate new support for co-design and capacity development in the context of the Ocean Decade? For more information read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/iearid9v0t5qk1seolhft51r21 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/iearid9v0t5qk1seolhft51r21 |
| Description | Climate COP27: Fostering cooperation among relevant UN bodies to advance small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change (Virtual Ocean Pavilion) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This side-event was held on 14th November 2022 for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. It was led by Hub researcher Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and was co-organised with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The following Hub researchers facilitated the participation of small-scale fishers' representatives at the event: - Dr Bolanle Erinosho facilitated the participation of Mr Torgbui Emmanuel Anomoo, Chief Fisherman Sallahkorpe, Ghana. - Prof Alex Kanyimba and Dr Tapiwa Warikandwa facilitated participation of Mr. Hermann Honeb, Director of the Hanganeni Artisanal Fishing Association (HAFA), Namibia. At the global scale, small-scale fisheries contribute to nearly half the world's seafood and employs around 90 per cent of the world's fishers, playing a critical role in food security, nutrition, and livelihood. Natural disasters and weather fluctuation caused by climate change are already causing large-scale shock to the sector and negatively affecting the livelihoods and cultures of small-scale fishers, fish workers, and their communities. At the same time, climate adaptation and mitigation measures that are implemented with little to no consultation with small-scale fishers also raise problems in terms of their access to resources, food and nutrition security, livelihoods, and social justice. These ocean-climate-human rights issues have yet received sufficient attention in the policy debates on transforming ocean governance. 2022 was the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) and represented an opportunity to raise awareness on the human rights of small-scale fishers and fish workers and on the importance of adopting specific national laws, public policies, and programmes to enable them to operate in a sustainable manner. This panel brought together small-scale fisher representatives, researchers, and representatives from different UN bodies to exchange ideas and experiences on the needs and opportunities to ensure the full realisation of small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of a changing climate. It explored common areas of concern, mutual objectives, and areas for improved collaboration among participants for synergistic international supports to improve small-scale fishers' resilience at the ocean-climate nexus. Agenda Introduction of the side event and opening remarks; Screening of the One Ocean Hub's short animation film titled "The Protectors of the Ocean"; A joint presentation on "Co-production of solutions with small-scale fishers as a way to ensure inclusive ocean-climate action," by Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Dr Philile Mbatha (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Dr Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia); A presentation on "Defending small scale fishers: the critical role of human rights in the era of climate emergency," Ms Kate Cook, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; A presentation by Ms Stefania Tripodi, "Human rights as normative and policy guidance tools for small scale fisheries and climate change," Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; A presentation on "Implementation of the right to a healthy environment for people and the planet" by Dr Soo-Young Hwang, UN Environment Programme; A presentation by Mr Torgbui Emmanuel Anomoo, Chief Fisherman Sallahkorpe, Ghana and Mr. Hermann Honeb, Director of the Hanganeni Artisanal Fishing Association, Namibia; Q&A; Closing remarks. Read the summary of key messages discussed at the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/fostering-cooperation-to-advance-the-protection-of-small-scale-fishers-human-rights/ For more information read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 The event recording is available from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGnhAro_Ic&t=6s |
| Description | Climate COP27: High-Level Closing Event - Raising Ambition, Action, Finance, and Unity in ocean-based mitigation and adaptation (Virtual Ocean Pavilion) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | This event was led by the Global Ocean Forum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory for the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion) and was co-organised with the One Ocean Hub, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO), Ocean & Climate Platform, the Organisation of African, and the Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). The COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is an online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment, and action for the ocean-climate nexus at key events during and in the run up to the UN Climate Conference (COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt this November. This closing event of the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion discussed the collaborative and cooperative approaches that are being used to progress the ocean in the climate, biodiversity and sustainable development agendas considering the outcomes and expectations from the major ocean events of 2022. It included high level interventions, personal experiences, and messages across the age spectrum and give examples of collaborative undertakings at the local to global level. Lastly the session reviewed the role and success of this COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion in engaging and reaching out to those not able to attend COP27, indeed in its role of democratizing the ocean at COP27 and promoting unity and inclusivity. Panellists: Dr. Aboud Jumbe, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Zanzibar, Tanzania since 2021. Dr. Vladimir Ryabinin, the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, and Assistant Director-General of UNESCO. Sophie Masipa, Co-Founder, MwunganoESG and the Director of OceanHub Africa. Andrew Stephens, Executive director, Sustainable Shipping Initiative. Thecla Keizer, the Deputy Head of the International Office at Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Elisa Morgera, Professor of Global Environmental Law at the University of Strathclyde and the Director of the UKRI GCRF One Ocean Hub. Richard Delaney, member of the Board of Directors of the Global Ocean Forum (GOF) since 2002. Key messages from the event are summarised in the blogpost here: https://oneoceanhub.org/raising-unity-in-ocean-climate-action/ Watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cox4i2mH-yo For more information read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/raising-unity-in-ocean-climate-action/ |
| Description | Climate COP27: Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Ocean Governance: A Case Study from Vanuatu |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | As Pacific Island States mitigate unprecedented oceanic damage and loss, this Climate COP27 side-event championed the importance of intergenerational traditional knowledge transmission to empower youth and bolster resilience in Vanuatu. Bringing together representatives from academia, civil society and government, the Hub led session at the Moana Pacific Pavilion, Climate COP27 Blue Zonen on 17th November 2022 advocated community-based art practice as an inclusive research methodology that provides opportunity for equitable participation of grassroots organisations who are often excluded from international dialogue and debate about ocean policies. This event brough together Hub researchers based at Glasgow School of Art, UK including Prof Stuart Jeffrey and Dr Lisa McDonald (Hub early career researcher); Anna Nuapa of the Erramango Cultural Association, Vanuatu; Dr Robson S. Tigona, climatologist from the National University of Vanuatu, and the Honourable Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation for the government of Vanuatu. The event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ-VvDVt5xM&t=1s. Read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/98ueocpka4bcpt4hcfl5irbajd. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-knowledge-and-inclusive-ocean-governance-a-case-study-from-vanuat... |
| Description | Climate COP27: Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Ocean-Climate Action (Virtual Ocean Pavilion) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This side-event for the CVOP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion was held on 10th November 2022 . It was led by Hub' early career researchers, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University) and co-organised with Blue Ventures, University of Strathclyde, Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Coast, University of Namibia. Other Hub researchers listed below also facilitated participation of representatives of Indigenous Peoples and local community at the event. - Mia Strand facilitated the participation of Chrissila Billings, an Indigenous Khoisan traditional healer from the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and Brendon Billings, a Damasqua Kei Korana Chief from the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. - Prof Alex Kanyimba and Dr Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia) facilitated the participation of Mr Herman Areseb, a senior traditional councillor of Topnaar community, and Mr Glen Kasper, chief of Topnaar community. The United Nations has declared the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support the role and contribution of different knowledge systems, including Indigenous and "traditional" knowledge, to drive ocean-climate action. Crucially, Indigenous and "traditional" knowledge is often based on long-term and day-to-day experiences with and observations of marine environments, centred on deep place-based understanding that draws from a close entanglement of economic, spiritual, social, and cultural encounters with the ocean. Ocean-climate action will remain limited if such place-based knowledge and those who hold that knowledge remain marginalised from international and national dialogues shaping the future of our ocean and climate. This panel practiced the art of listening through the stories and experiences of traditional and Indigenous knowledge holders from Namibia, Madagascar, Ghana, and South Africa. The panel then encouraged a short discussion on participants' main take-aways, reflections, feelings, and thoughts after listening to the stories and interventions, and potentially reflect on how different project methodologies can bridge the gap between traditional knowledge, intangible ocean heritage, and climate action. Please note that due to issues of time, capacity, and data, this event featured both live and pre-recorded presentations from knowledge holders. Agenda: Introduction to the side event and welcome remarks, Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Ms Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa); Mr Herman Areseb, a senior traditional councillor of Topnaar community, and Mr Glen Kasper, chief of Topnaar community introduced by Prof Alex Kanyimba from the University of Namibia; Symphorien Nihala Maniry Soa, Madagascar, introduced by Dr David Wilson. A presentation on "How Vezo traditional knowledge is incorporated marine resource management and the methods used to allow for Vezo fishermen and women to hear and be heard" by Symphorien Nihala Maniry Soa, Blue Ventures, Madagascar; Chrissila and Brendon Billings, South Africa, introduced by Ms Mia Strand. Chrissila is an Indigenous Khoisan traditional healer and Brendon Billings is a Damasqua Kei Korana Chief, both from the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa; Peace Abla Gavor, Ghana, introduced by Dr Bolanle Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana). Peace Abla Gavor is a Ghanaian fish worker and Central Region Chairperson of the Ghana National Fish Processors and Traders Association (NAFPTA); Participant reflections and discussion, facilitated by Dr David Wilson and Ms Mia Strand; Closing remarks. Key messages from the event are summarised in a blogpost here: https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/. For more information read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/frkose7i7j6d7po1jdi3bik9d1. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/indigenous-peoples-traditional-knowledge-and-ocean-climate-action/ |
| Description | Climate COP27: Lalela Ulwandle at Capacity Building Hub |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea): Participatory theatre with audience discussion (led by the One Ocean Hub and the Empatheatre team) was a Hub led side-event for the Capacity-building Hub, Climate COP27 Blue Zone on the the Land and Ocean Day, 14th November 2022. The event was co-organised by the Hub in partnership with the Empatheatre team, Rhodes University (South Africa), Durban University of Technology (South Africa) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)'s Capacity Building Hub. Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) session explored how we may start to build resilience and adaptation to climate change through environmentally just and equitable processes. It highlighted that we need to make decisions about the oceans that are inclusive of diverse forms of knowledge to achieve just and equitable climate change resilience and adaptation processes. Lalela uLwandle is a research-based theatre performance and public dialogue event developed by a South African collective called Empatheatre, who are part of the One Ocean Hub. Whilst grounded in the South African experience, the inter-generational stories of the sea performed in Lalela uLwandle resonate strongly with an international audience. The play expanded our imaginations to listen to a multitude of voices on how we relate to the sea; including the voices of indigenous peoples, small-scale fishing communities, women, and youth. These voices are often overlooked in ocean policy forums on climate change adaptation and blue economy initiatives. Experiences of exclusion from decision making processes, concerns around the exploitation of natural resources and marine protection, and questions around how to include cultural heritage in policy spaces are shared by many people across the planet. The play offered an invitation to a public conversation on how cultural, scientific and conservation knowledge may, if people learn to listen to each other carefully, find strategic alignment. It drew attention to how symbolic, religious, cultural, and economic meanings humans construct in relation to the ocean must be taken into consideration in governance decision-making. As part of the Empatheatre methodology, the performance was followed by a facilitated public-discussion with researchers, performers, decision-makers, and the audience on the themes that emerge from the play. The key messages highlighted in the Lalela uLwandle performance and post-performance discussion are listed below. ? We all have a cultural, spiritual relationship with the ocean. But many of us have been disconnected from the sea. ? The sea has stories and is showing us the way to respond to the climate crisis and we need to listen. ? Everyone must be included when decisions are made on the ocean ? We need to include and listen to the voices of Indigenous peoples, small-scale fishing communities, women, and youth to ensure integrated and fair ocean-climate actions. ? We need to look beyond natural sciences and include arts and other branches of knowledges to co-develop ocean-climate action. ? Arts-based methods allow us to understand and appreciate the role of indigenous knowledge in climate-action. ? Cultural heritage provides necessary insights for integrated ocean-climate action. ? Empatheatre nourishes learning through curiosity and wonder which gives hope for inclusive climate action. Outcome(s) and follow up action: Lalela uLwandle has helped to shape the understanding of international organisations such as the UNFCCC on the role of arts and participatory method in building capacity of local community and Indigenous Peoples in ocean-climate governance. The significance of Lalela uLwandle session was proven through invitation by the UNFCCC for the Empatheatre team to perform at Capacity Building Hub in the next COP (COP28 in Dubai, 2023). Read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/vf09nbeneo80g7gnanmg2vto4a. Links related to the organization and work of the organizers and/or speakers as well as any tools, methodologies, reports, and products discussed during the session are as follow: Articles Erwin, K., Pereira, T., McGarry, D., Coppen, N. (2022). Lalela uLwandle: An Experiment in Plural Governance Discussions. In: Boswell, R., O'Kane, D., Hills, J. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99347-4_20 Erwin K. (2020). "A theatre project explores collective solutions to saving the ocean." The Conversation. Available from https://theconversation.com/a-theatre-project-explores-collective-solutions-to-saving-the-ocean-135229 McGarry D. (2020). Think Piece: Learning, Living and Leading into Transgression - A reflection on decolonial praxis in a neoliberal world. Southern African Journal of Environmental Education https://doi.org/10.4314/sajee.v36i1.14. Nakamura, Julia; Diz, Daniela; Morgera, Elisa. (2022). International legal requirements for environmental and socio-cultural assessments for large-scale industrial fisheries. Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12462 Written evidence Febrica S, Strand M, Niner H, McGarry D, Morgera E, and Snow B. (2022) "The One Ocean Hub Written Evidence to Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights. Inputs to a report on cultural rights and sustainable development. Available from https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/culturalrights/sustainabledevelopment/2022-08-22/submission-development-ga77-cso-oneoceanhub-en_0.pdf. Video Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 Empatheatre (Short Documentary). Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vioKkGqnL8Q&t=31s Lalela uLwandle (illustrated short film) Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_W3QBz9cPY Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea). Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNw1H8CTKY The Blue Blanket (short animation fim). Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA Website Empatheatre. Available from https://www.empatheatre.com/ 3.Participants There were 34 participants who joined this event. Annex I: Empatheatre: Lalela - media and social media coverage Website https://oneoceanhub.org/experience-the-many-layers-of-relevance-of-empatheatre-for-cop27/ https://oneoceanhub.org/cop27/ Media Coverage "Cop27 bulletin: Waiting for a sign from Bali," 16 November 2022. Available from https://www.climatechangenews.com/2022/11/16/cop27-bulletin-waiting-for-a-sign-from-bali/ "Cycle power and gender rights: days eight and nine at Cop27 - in pictures," 15-16 November 2022, available from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2022/nov/15/cycle-power-and-gender-rights-days-eight-and-nine-at-cop27-in-pictures UNFCCC Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/unfccc/52500936723/in/photostream |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/experience-the-many-layers-of-relevance-of-empatheatre-for-cop27/ |
| Description | Climate COP27: Ocean and climate frameworks - overview of synergies and discussion on capacity gaps and opportunities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The event was led by the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea on the Land and Ocean Day, 14th November 2022 for the UNFCCC's Capacity Building Hub. The ocean is an important source of livelihood, food security, economic growth and ecosystem services, including climate regulation and blue carbon, that support human life and the planet. At the same time, as recognized in the World Ocean Assessment, the cumulative impacts of human activities and pressures, including those caused by climate change, are such that the ocean's carrying capacity is near or at its limit. These impacts have specific gender-related implications, which need to be further understood and addressed. The many interlinkages between the ocean and climate change are now well documented. More than ever, questions of ocean and climate change governance have to be addressed through multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral solutions based on science, including in the context of cooperative action and multilateral processes. Such solutions must be grounded in the legal frameworks established by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and related instruments, as well as the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement. Indeed, an overall understanding of the UNCLOS framework, its implementing agreements and other relevant international instruments is necessary to appreciate how ocean frameworks can contribute to climate mitigation and adaption goals under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, including by building the resilience of communities and ecosystems to the effects of climate change and by supporting mitigation action. It is also an essential prerequisite for the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular Goals 13 and 14, including the enhancement of sustainable blue economies. The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, which is part of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, serves as Secretariat of UNCLOS and the 1995 Fish Stocks Agreement, supports the work of the UN General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies relating to ocean affairs, as well as the implementation of SDG14. In this context, the Division services a number of inter-governmental processes which have and continue to address the interlinkages between the ocean and climate change, such as the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, with its World Ocean Assessments, and the Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. It also provides substantive support to the UN Ocean Conference. In addition, alongside the UN Legal Counsel, the Division acts as focal point for UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean issues within the United Nations system, which over the years has been very active in relation to the work of its Members on ocean/climate. As part of its mandates, the Division implements a number of capacity-building activities to support States in the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and ocean governance frameworks. Amongst other issues, these activities address the impacts of climate change on the ocean, the interface between the ocean and climate governance frameworks and the science-policy interface. In training future generations of ocean leaders, these capacity-building activities aim at ensuring gender balance in the selection of participants and raise the awareness of participants of gender-related challenges. Objectives of the event: 1. Increased understanding of relevant ocean governance frameworks and their synergies with climate change frameworks, thereby supporting multidisciplinary, mutually supportive and long-term integrated solutions for ocean and climate action at national, regional and global levels 2. Increased understanding of existing capacity-building opportunities 3. Capacity-needs assessment in this area, including with a view to strengthening existing capacity-building programmes Panelists Ms. Valentina Germani, Senior Legal Officer (Programme Advisor), Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations; Mr. Francois Bailet, Senior Legal Officer, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations; Mr. Carlos Garcia Soto, Chair, Group of Experts, Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects; Prof. Ronan Long, Director, WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation Professorial Chair of Ocean Governance & the Law of the Sea, World Maritime University (WMU); Ms. Lysa Wini, Sky Island Coordinator, Nia Tero Foundation, PhD researcher, University of Strathclyde, Scotland, UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Alumna; Dr Bernadette Snow, Deputy Director, One Ocean Hub Ms. Angelique Pouponneau, Policy Advisor to the Chair of the Alliance of Small Islands States. For more information read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/g8r58p2ch8m1q5sh9iuq8416ho |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/g8r58p2ch8m1q5sh9iuq8416ho |
| Description | Climate COP27: Ocean-Climate-Society: challenges & opportunities for ocean mitigation, adaptation, finance & UNFCCC (The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Ocean ecosystems and coastal communities are being impacted by climate change, but the ocean also offers adaptation and mitigation actions. At this official side-event for Climate COP27 the Hub and partners showcased examples of ocean adaptation, including in Africa; of blue finance; collaboration; empowerment of communities & ocean integration in the UNFCCC. The side event was led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory and was co-organised with One Ocean Hub, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, RARE, Blue Marine Foundation, and EBCD. For more information read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/g9mm29c2fo8dgjjus63cbcbcpb. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EFAQ9NDB6M&list=PLBcZ22cUY9RJc1scZLmb8SdZezq3IM00i&index=309 |
| Description | Climate COP27: One Health, the Ocean, and Climate Change (Health Pavilion) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The roundtable titled 'One Health, the Ocean and Climate Change' was held on 16 November 2022 at the COP27 Health Pavilion. It was co-led by the One Ocean Hub and Land Body Ecologies and involved partners listed below. The roundtable was aimed to introduce the interlinkages between One Health, the ocean, and climate change and explore the environmental law and policy dimensions of One Health and the link to the SDGs. Examples such as the development of a One Health AMR (antimicrobial resistance) Legal Assessment Tool to be developed by FAO, OIE and WHO or a One Health project funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (One Health in practice in Southeast Asia : Zoonoses and socio-environmental changes: OneHealthSEA 2021 - 2022), which includes the development of a training part for students and civil servants in an environmental law perspective or a session on One Health and the ocean during the Science Summit UNGA77 (resp. C. Lajaunie), illustrated some transformative governance process and changes. The mental health impacts of changes to oceans and fish populations were also be raised by speakers with lived experience from the Land Body Ecologies network. Further, the roundtable explored the research coming from the One Ocean Hub which can contribute to the discussion regarding ocean biodiversity and biodiscovery and impacts of marine plastic pollution for health and climate change. It included screening of a short film on marine biodiscovery produced and narrated by Professor Rosemary Dorrington (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Jazz Conway (University of Plymouth, UK). Speakers: Dr Bernadette Snow, Snow, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa & One Ocean Hub, University of Strathclyde, UK Dr Claire Lajaunie, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), France and the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance, University of Strathclyde, UK. Dr Pierre Mazzega, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France and the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance, University of Strathclyde, UK. Professor Rachel Wynberg, University of Cape Town, South Africa Dr Jessica Lavelle, University of Cape Town, South Africa Professor Mathew Upton, University of Plymouth, UK Jenni Laiti, Land Body Ecologies Abou Saine, Gambian fisherman and Activist Dr Edem Mahu, University of Ghana, Ghana Dr Karina Von Schuckmann, Mercator Ocean International Ms Tarub Bahri, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Ms Catalina Pizarro, Associate Legal Officer, United Nations Environment Programme Partners: Nelson Mandela University, University of Strathclyde, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance at the University of Strathclyde, University of Cape Town, South Africa, University of Plymouth, Land Body Ecologies, University of Ghana, Mercator Ocean International, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme. Watch the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s. Read the key messages discussed at the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-links-between-one-health-the-ocean-and-climate-change/. For more information read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/orpks59f3832lj69tcjp69gfr7 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AI6xJklHsA&t=1s |
| Description | Climate COP27: Seabed 2030 - Mapping for People and Planet |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | This event was led by the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 project and co-organised with the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 project is a global collective relentless in its pursuit of achieving a complete map of the ocean floor by 2030. Undoubtedly, seabed mapping is an enabler of international management of our ocean, and influences the development of a sustainable blue economy. Seabed maps also provide the foundational knowledge we need to address many ocean, climate change, and biodiversity issues. Therefore, achieving a global ocean map by 2030 is not so much an ambition, but a necessity. Without it, we will struggle to achieve joined-up policies, which in turn reduces our ability to effectively mitigate and adapt to climate change and realise a sustainable ocean that supports a growing global population. And yet, over 75% of the ocean remains uncharted. This event brought together a diverse panel of experts to discuss how seabed mapping data is essential in addressing climate change and for safeguarding the future of the planet, and explore how we can work together to achieve this critical goal. The session: - Considered the benefits of seabed mapping to the sustainable blue economy, blue carbon projects, marine conservation, and fisheries management in the face of a climate emergency. - Provided participants with an holistic view of how Seabed 2030 is engaging with partners, including those in government and the private sector, and demonstrate where there are strategic opportunities for collaboration. - Aimed to encourage and inspire global stakeholders to mobilise across sectors so that we can collectively find solutions that enable 100% of the ocean to be mapped. Panellists: Steve Hall, Head of Partnership at Seabed 2030; Bernadette Snow, One Ocean Hub; Narissa Bax, the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Sophie Seeyave, the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO), Plymouth Marine Laboratory in the UK; Rick Spinrad, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For more information read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2rrjcvqrj0bpjd86un0veiu6i1 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/2rrjcvqrj0bpjd86un0veiu6i1 |
| Description | Climate COP27: The Ocean x Climate Summit (led by Oceanic Global) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Taking place 11 November 2022 from 10 am- 5 pm EGY at the Park Regency Sharm El-Sheikh, The Ocean X Climate Summit presented by Oceanic Global immersed global stakeholders in the importance and potential of the ocean within the climate change narrative, and to support more stakeholder action for the ocean and all it sustains. The Ocean X Climate Summit was presented by Oceanic Global, supported by Salesforce and programmed in partnership with UNESCO IOC and The Ocean Decade. During the summit the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow, participated in a roundtable discussion titled "Creating a Common Agenda for our Shared Ocean." The roundtable was an opportunity to create a strong link between the COP27 negotiation process and the discussions in the Ocean x Climate Summit. Dr Snow highlighted in her intervention that the inclusion of different knowledge system is needed to enhance the visibility and place of the ocean-climate nexus in international convenings and in national action. As part of the Ocean X Climate Summit the Hub also contributed a video of remarks by Camilla Awo Dzidzor, a representative of children from Keta Municipality in Ghana that was screened before a panel discussion on "Building Resilience: Localized Action Against a Changing Climate. Camilla Awo Dzidzor's video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXnMY-jQcU. Read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/n14n72eja9eqkp62hhvkc0cu4g. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oceanic.global/projects/cop-27-the-ocean-x-climate-summit/ |
| Description | Climate COP27:Ocean Innovation Partnership Dinner |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | COP 27 Partnership Dinner at the Park Regency Hotel was held on Friday, 11th November from 6 - 10 PM (Egypt) to highlight Ocean Innovation for climate action, including representatives from sustainable businesses, the United Nations, NGOs, civil society, artists, musicians and youth who are making a positive impact for our climate. Together we will continue to build our networks and create lasting change for people and the planet. The event was co-hosted by Blue Planet Alliance, One Ocean Hub, Peace Boat, Extreme Hangout, Oceanic Global and partners. The presentation files from the Partnership Dinner on Nov 11 is available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gq081d5ov33tkaal7u68pc97qv?23. For more information read the event report here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gq081d5ov33tkaal7u68pc97qv?23 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/gq081d5ov33tkaal7u68pc97qv?23. |
| Description | Climate Change workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In October 2023, the Hub team in Ghana organised a Climate change workshop where Hub researcher Benjamin Kofi Nyarko (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) delivered a presentation. The presentation was on: •Some of the methods and key findings of the climate change risk assessment to start conversations around the three components of the assessment and climate change adaptation. •Multi-disciplinary decision support tool for fisheries management in Ghana •Knowledge integration and Future Scenarios |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Climate Change, SDGs and the Law Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub early career researcher Mitchell Lennan was invited to deliver a presentation on 'Climate Adaptation Law in High Seas Fisheries' at the Climate Change, SDGs and the Law Conference organised by the University of Cambridge on 29-30 October 2021. This was a high-level pre-COP26 conference that was attended by 60 participants. It featured keynotes and experts plenary with leading international jurists, practitioners, researchers and academics in the areas of law, climate change, politics, land economy and beyond. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/events/SDGs-Law-recovery/ |
| Description | Climate and Change: Legal and Ethical implications |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Professor Elisa Morgera, Hub Director, contributed to an international workshop on "Climate and Change: Legal and Ethical implications" organised by the Sant'Anna University, Pisa, Italy. The workshop explored the role of scientific assessments, the functions of law, the societal models and the economic strategies, as well as cultural approaches around climate change and the need for novel concepts and techniques to better tackle the inescapable changes in political and ethical understanding. Professor Morgera contributed to a session together with former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Professor John Knox, and Dr Karin Arts, an expert in children's human rights from Erasmus University of Rotterdam. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-considerations-on-the-climate-biodiversity-ocean-nexus/ |
| Description | Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited by Dr. Araba Sey and Dr. Harriet Harden-Davies of the Ocean Nexus Center to take part in an event titled "Co-designing the Decade for equitable outcomes" on 11th May 2022. The event was hosted by the Ocean Nexus as part of the Ocean Voices program in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development "Ocean Decade Laboratory." The event explored how co-design is used to advance equity in the design and use of ocean science for sustainable development and identify lessons from principles and practical examples. It aimed to gather participants to share knowledge and explore critical perspectives on co-design as a situated process; broaden the community of researchers and practitioners promoting equity in ocean science through genuine co-design; and begin the process of developing a framework for meaningful co-design in Ocean Decade activities. The event was run as a panel discussion followed by an interactive group discussion. This event was co-hosted by Ocean Voices, a program within the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center at the University of Washington EarthLab. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/ocean-voices/an-accessible-ocean/ |
| Description | Co-development with Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Environment Programme and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights a programme of collaboration for 2022 - International Year of Artisanal Fisheries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In November 2021, Professor Elisa Morgera co-developed with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) a programme of collaboration for 2022 - International Year of Artisanal Fisheries, which has attracted a new partnership with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) with a view to including in a high-level event at WOW 2022 a number of UN Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights. The Hub will share key research insights and support small-scale fisheries representatives and advocates to voice their human rights concerns in preparation for a high-level event at World Ocean Week 2022, where relevant UN Special Rapporteurs will be invited to develop a joint communique on the full range of human rights issues faced by SSF. The Hub and UN partners will also develop policy guidance to UN bodies to enhance international monitoring and international guidance to ensure implementation for national governments. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/partnering-with-the-office-of-the-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-for-the... |
| Description | CoastWise Project Workshop in South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub early career researcher, Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), delivered a presentation on 'Arts-based participatory research with indigenous and local knowledge holders in Algoa Bay: Highlighting cultural connections with the ocean and coast' at the CoastWise Project Workshop on 17th November 2021. The CoastWise project brings together five complementary partner institutions including South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa Department of Environmental Affairs, Nelson Mandela University, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, to improve the integrated assessment of South Africa's land-sea interface. Its aim is to enhance the available knowledge base for informed decision-making, filling important knowledge gaps, translating this knowledge into formats that can be used in spatial management, and building capacity in South Africa and the region. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://meerwissen.org/partnership-projects/coastwise |
| Description | Coastal Justice Network Retreat |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub early career researchers Taryn Pereira and Anna James were leading a reflective workshop for members of the Coastal Justice network on 7th-9th October 2021. At the two day workshop some members of the Coastal Justice Network and allies from marine science caucused about where we have come from and where we are going. CJN members articulated sites of their work, practices they engage in and relationships between themselves and those they aim to be in solidarity with. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/ |
| Description | Coastal Justice Network supports fishers' testimonies at Gas Amendment hearing in South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Coastal Justice Network went to support small scale fishers, as well as the Green Connections at the Gas Amendment Bill (B9-221) hearing.The bill itself, according to the South Africa parliament seeks to address gaps in the principle Act. Parliament has conducted a series of public hearings around the country in the past week, with many being met with opposition from coastal communities and fishers. Before the hearings had begun, protesters and leaders shared their concerns standing on a high platform organised by The Green Connection legacy participants and Small Scale Fisher groups, outside the hall. Fishers and civil society organisations filed a court interdict at the High Court in Cape Town, two days prior to the hearing (on 21st January 2022). The interdict was submitted by the Legal Resource Centre (LRC) lawyer Wilmien Wacomb, against the SEARCHER GEODATA seismic surveys underway off the West Coast this month. The key concerns raised from the amendment to the bill by members of the public included, but were not limited to: - Lack of consultation in developing the amendments - The powers to fine ZAR 2 million per day for "breach of compliance as well as revoking operating licences" and how this might be interpreted Increased powers to the Ministers of a government people cannot trust, such as empowering the Minister to "compile a Gas Master Plan, after engagement in gas supply and demand scenario planning" and to "issue an exemption from any of the provision of the Act, if it is likely to: ? Safeguard the national security of the Republic; ? Promote national, strategic or economic interest of Republic; or ? Discharge an international obligation of the Republic" - In regards to the above, the lack of consulting fishers and Indigenous communities in compiling the Gas Master Plan, and powers of the Minister to issue exemptions of what they might argue is of "economic interest" to the Republic - The failure of Parliament to prioritise green energy projects and how this Bill continue to prioritise gas developments and reliance on fossil fuels (with the establishment of a Gas Master Plan) which endangers ocean health, biodiversity and livelihoods - The failure of Parliament to recognise climate costs of gas and the continued impact of gas-related infrastructure such as pipelines on fishing practises and access to ocean space. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/indigenous-leaders-fishers-community-members-slam-gas-amendment-... |
| Description | Cocooned in Harmony: Power, Agency and Multiple Realities in the Songs of Indigenous Ghanaian Seine Fisherfolk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The documentary film Cocooned in Harmony: Power, Agency and Multiple Realities in the Songs of Indigenous Ghanaian Seine Fisherfolk directed by Hub researcher Dr Eric Debrah Otchere (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) was screened at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow on 19 April 2023. The film explores the songs of Ghanaian artisanal fishermen to create a space for their (often side-lined) voices. The screening was followed by a Q&A with director Dr Eric Debrah Otchere. The audience had questions, to mention a few, about the complex and hidden meanings of the songs, the director's process of building relationships with different communities, the history and customs of the fisherfolk, gender and inter-generational dynamics, ocean governance and environmental challenges, and customary laws of fishers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/documentary-film-on-artisanal-fisherfolk-songs-screened-in-glasgow/ |
| Description | Cocooned in harmony: Documentary Film Screening |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was a screening of a documentary titled: Cocooned in Harmony, which was screened at the Centre for Contemporary Art in Glasgow and was followed by a Q&A session with the director Dr Eric Debrah Otchere (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) during which the audience engaged the film-maker about the main topics raised. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.cca-glasgow.com/programme/cocooned-in-harmony |
| Description | Cocooned in Harmony: Reflections and the way forward |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This blog post reflects on the local, national and international screenings and other developments related to the documentary 'Cocooned in Harmony', and reflections on some of the questions that have often come up after the documentary screenings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/screening-cocooned-in-harmony-reflections-and-the-way-forward/ |
| Description | Code Red, the planet is burning! |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to be a panellist at an international conference titled 'Code red, the planet is burning!' on 5th May 2022. The event was organised by the University of Teacher Education (HEP-VS), St-Maurice & Brig; Centre for Children's Rights Studies (CIDE), University of Geneva (Valais Campus); University of Applied Sciences, HES-SO Valais//Wallis; International Institute for the Rights of the Child (IDE), Sion Cantonal Youth Services, Valais; and Terre des Hommes, International Federation in collaboration with UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Swiss Center of Expertise in Human Rights (SCHR). Prof Morgera's intervention is titled "Children's human right to a healthy ocean and a safe climate" The conference brought together leading experts in the field of environmental law and children rights, policy makers and CSOs including Amb. Jürg Lauber (Switzerland), Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations; Mikiko Otani (Japan), Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child; Prof. Yves Flückiger (Switzerland), Rector of the University of Geneva; Hon. Clarence Nelson (Samoa), UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and Christian Nanchen (Switzerland); Prof. David R. Boyd (Canada), Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment; Indah Abayan (Philippines), Child Rights Coalition Asia; Ilaria Paolazzi (Switzerland), Child Rights Connect; Jonas Schubert (Germany), Terre des Hommes Germany; Marie-Claire Graf (Switzerland) and Heeta Lakhani (India), YOUNGO See presentation and recording here: https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.unige.ch/cide/fr/actualites/la-une/xiieme-colloque-intl-en/ |
| Description | Cold water corals in a changing ocean: Short Film |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As a contribution to the Climate Conference, scientists at University of Edinburgh have produced a short film explaining how cold-water corals are particularly vulnerable to the rapid acidification of the oceans caused by carbon dioxide emissions - a largely hidden impact of fossil fuel use. Narrated by COP26 People's Advocate, Sir David Attenborough, and featuring research from the iAtlantic and One Ocean Hub projects, this film also highlights the central role of the ocean when considering climate change impacts and mitigation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.iatlantic.eu/news/new-film-cold-water-corals-in-a-changing-ocean/ |
| Description | Commonwealth Blue Partners Charters Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 1Daniela Diz presented on the Hub's contribution to policy-making in a panel discussion entitled "Good Science, Good Policy" during the Commonwealth Blue Charter Partners Day, 20 June 2019 at the Science Museum in London. Led to plans to collaborate on a case study relating to marine spatial planning in South Africa, and further engagement with the Marine Protected Areas Action Plan (led by Seychelles) whereby a best practices guide will be further explored. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Comparative reflections on customary laws of the coast and sea in Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | On 1-2 February 2023, an internal workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the One Ocean Hub's Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Network to bring together research teams who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. This follows two public webinars that the Network organized in 2022. The One Ocean Hub's Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Network, and the Hub's Early-Career Researchers' Network, are developing a series of academic publications that will be released later in 2023, as well as key policy messages that will be integrated in the Hub's submissions to relevant UN processes. For more information about key messages shared during the workshop read this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ |
| Description | Conference on "Corporate environmental responsibility" at the University of Lisbon |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), was invited by the University of Lisbon, Portugal to a hybrid conference on "Corporate environmental responsibility" on 5 December 2023. The conference focused on the role of international law and corporate climate litigation and corporate governance, finance, and reporting. Prof Morgera delivered a presentation on "Challenges to corporate international environmental accountability". During her presentation, Elisa addressed the following points: • The early development of international standards on corporate environmental accountability before the human rights frame became prevalent in international standard-setting efforts • The overlap in the content of international standards on corporate environmental accountability • The content of business responsibility to respect the human rights of Indigenous Peoples and the relevance of the Convention on Biological Diversity in this connection • New and emerging challenges for business due diligence with regard to fair and equitable benefit-sharing; the human right to science; and ocean-dependent human rights. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Connecting science-policy recommendations across ocean research projects: reflection on the South Africa/South Atlantic workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Five major ocean research projects, representing over £50 million investment and 400 researchers from over 120 institutes from over 30 countries were brought together to distil shared key messages for policy makers in South Africa. A three-day science-to-policy workshop for marine ecosystem-based management was held at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Cape Town, 22-24 August 2023). This blog post reflects on the key messages arising from the workshop and further synergies within Hub research, the innovative methodology of the workshop, the benefits for early-career researchers, and next steps. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ |
| Description | Conservation Biology Social Science Working Group Event: Challenges and opportunities in the Conservation Social Sciences across the African Region, 23 November, online |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | South African country co-director Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) presented at the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) Social Science Working Group (SSWG) and SCB Africa. Taryn Pereira co-hosted a webinar on the "Challenges and opportunities in the Conservation Social Sciences across the continent of Africa", which took place on Thursday the 23rd of November from 11:00-13:00 GMT. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | The intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) is being convened pursuant to the General Assembly General Assembly resolution 72/249 that was adopted in December 24th, 2017. This resolution was adopted following 14 years of the Ad Hoc Openended Informal Working Group studying issues, possible options, and approaches relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. In November 2020, the One Ocean Hub held a seminar series on the BBNJ proposed treaty in order to build capacity amongst Hub researchers to engage in the BBNJ process. Invited speakers included the Legal Officer for the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS); representatives of the Ministry of Fisheries of Fiji; European Commission; World Maritime University. Attendees: One Ocean Hub researchers, South Africa, Ghana, Namibia, UK. Learning outcomes 1. Enhanced understanding on the purpose, history, and procedural aspects of the BBNJ negotiation process. 2. Improved awareness on issues being discussed during the negotiations. 3. Increased knowledge to better participate in informing the BBNJ negotiations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RdlR3jCaM |
| Description | Considering the human rights of future generations in ocean governance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The newly published Maastricht Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations mark a significant step in clarifying States' obligations in the context of intergenerational equity, which is a pillar of international environmental law, including climate change and biodiversity law, as well as of the law of the sea. This blog post reflects on the relevance of the Maastricht Principles for children, future generations and the ocean, in line with the One Ocean Hub's ongoing commitment to strengthen research on children's human right to a healthy environment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/considering-the-human-rights-of-future-generations-in-ocean-governance/ |
| Description | Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub contributed to a webinar discussing stakeholder engagement and transparency at the International Seabed Authority (ISA). On 10 November 2021, Professor Elisa Morgera, Hub Director, delivered a presentation examining the applicability to the ISA of international standards on the participation of human rights-holders in international processes on the protection of the marine environment, as part of the broader theme "Consulting with Humankind: Integrating Stakeholder Voices in Deep-ocean Decision-making". Her presentation build on ongoing research under the Hub on the relevance of international human rights for integrated and inclusive ocean governance, including children's rights to a healthy environment, the human right to health and environmental human rights defenders. The webinar was part of a series organized by Pew and RESOLVE. The slides, webinar recording, and webinar agenda are available on the RESOLVE website. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.resolve.ngo/integrating_stakeholder_voices.htm |
| Description | Contributing to a UN Call for Inputs on Youth Participation in Inter-governmental Forums |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub early-career researchers Andrea Longo and Sophie Shields, and Hub Director Elisa Morgera, participated in the call for input for a forthcoming thematic report by the UN Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order on "youth participation in intergovernmental forums: challenges and opportunities." The report aims at identifying "good practices of inclusive participation of youth in intergovernmental forums at the global level to advance the Sustainable Development Goals." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-a-un-call-for-inputs-on-youth-participation-in-intergovernme... |
| Description | Contributing to a policy dialogue on the international recognition of the human right to a healthy environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera was invited to a policy dialogue on the international recognition of the human right to healthy environment, and its meaning for States, rights-holders and for nature. The dialogue was hosted by the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN in Geneva in cooperation with the Universal Rights Group, ahead of the 2022 high-level retreat Glion Human Rights Dialogue, which brings together states, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the wider UN and NGOs to assess how to overcome key challenges by strengthening the UN human rights system. Professor Morgera recommended four areas for immediate action to make the human right to a healthy environment a reality: interpreting the precautionary principle in human rights terms, by, for instance, relying also on specific evidence on the impacts of potential environmental degradation on children's human rights, women's human rights or indigenous peoples' human rights; connecting work on environmental finance and on human rights budgeting to clarify the practical means for States to comply with their obligation to pursue the full realization of the human right to a healthy environment with "maximum available resources"; to invest in, and ensure equitable access to, deep-sea science with a view to fill current knowledge gaps on actual and potential damage to deep-sea ecosystems and knock-on effects on human rights; and shaping State cooperation in accordance with the human right to a healthy environment, both in the context of development cooperation and of intergovernmental negotiations, such as the UN negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction and the International Seabed Authority. Professor Morgera also mentioned the Hub's partnership with FAO and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as an example of UN coordination to support the human right to a healthy environment of small-scale fishers; and the role of UN Country Teams in supporting environmental human rights defenders, including ocean defenders. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-a-policy-dialogue-on-the-international-recognition-of-the-hu... |
| Description | Contributing to the 2025 UN Call for Action on Human Rights with a focus on Ocean Defenders |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub raised critical questions related to the protection of ocean defenders, in responding to an invitation from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office to contribute to an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-call-for-action-on-human-rights-with-a-focus-on-ocean... |
| Description | Contributing to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea's Opinion on State obligations at the ocean-climate nexus |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub made a submission to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which has been requested to clarify States' obligations to protect the marine environment from climate change, including as part of the general obligations to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution. We shared our latest research on mutually supportive interpretations of the law of the sea, international climate change law, international biodiversity law and international human rights law, which is supported by inter-disciplinary findings from the marine and social sciences on the role of marine biodiversity to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. In spite of the interconnectivity between the climate, the ocean and biodiversity, and their interdependency with human rights, their respective applicable legal frameworks are fragmented and the Tribunal has an unprecedented opportunity to clarify how these obligations should be read together to direct States to more integrated and inclusive action at the ocean-climate nexus. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-international-tribunal-on-the-law-of-the-seas-opinion-on... |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Call for Action on Human Rights with a focus on Ocean Defenders |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) raised critical questions related to the protection of ocean defenders, in responding to an invitation from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office to contribute to an online forum for the UN system and civil society organisations on 6th September 2023. The forum provided an opportunity to share experience and discuss how the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights can be leveraged to support and enhance strategic engagement on human rights and the environment and strengthened protection for environmental human rights defenders. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Contributing to the UN Ocean Conference's "A call to all the voices of the ocean" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The preparations for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference that will be held in June 2025 in Nice, France are already underway, and as part of the preparatory process the "A call to all the voices of the ocean" Synthesis Report was published in September 2023, to which the One Ocean Hub was a contributor. The Hub suggestions for widening participation of civil society and inclusivity at the Conference, strengthening synergies with other global frameworks, improving interconnectedness between different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets, and increasing investment and financial support in sustainable ocean research, practices, and conservation are reflected in the report. This blogpost summarises Hub's contributions to the report. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-un-ocean-conferences-a-call-to-all-the-voices-of-the-oce... |
| Description | Contributing to the ocean discussions at the Climate Bonn Meeting 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Following the integration of the ocean into the Glasgow Climate Pact in November 2021, the Bonn Climate Meeting (6-16 June 2022), provided an opportunity to share the One Ocean Hub's key messages on integrated approaches to the climate-ocean-human rights nexus during the poster session of the Research Dialogue and to bring local voices to the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, as well as connect with partners on working on human rights and children's rights. Hub messages at the Research Dialogue were summarised in this blogpost here: https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-ocean-discussions-at-the-climate-bonn-meeting-2022/ In addition, the Hub was invited by the UN Climate Change Secretariat to produce a video to amplify Indigenous and local knowledge holders' voices from small-scale fishing communities in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa to support discussions on how to "blue" Nationally Determined Contributions. The video was shown during the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue (15 June 2022). The video emphasized that for blue-ing NDCs, it is necessary to recognize that indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers have knowledge relevant to climate change, even when they live far from the coast or are excluded from other decisions, and develop better ways to listen and learn from them, making reference at the Hub's arts-based approaches that integrate natural and social sciences with other knowledge systems, which also upholds human rights. The video also provides insights into the role of small-scale fishers as environmental human rights defenders who contribute to everyone's right to a healthy environment, in particular in relation to climate change mitigation (see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzNMXiAz7I) Finally, the Bonn Conference provided an opportunity for the Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, to meet in person colleagues from the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative, to exchange views on how to support more genuine participation of children and youth in the international climate regime. Prof Morgera also participated in a dinner discussion on climate change and human rights organized by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Centre for International Environmental Law on 8th June 2022, which focused on: public participation in the international climate negotiations, loss and damage, climate finance, and the global stocktake. These exchanges contributed to refine the Hub's inputs into the first report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-ocean-discussions-at-the-climate-bonn-meeting-2022/ |
| Description | Contribution to marine science roundtable, The British Society for Literature and Science 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, April 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub ECR researcher and PhD candidate Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) contributed to an Oceanic Graphic Roundtable led by Giulia Champion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.bsls.ac.uk/2023-conference-edinburgh-napier/ |
| Description | Cooperative Development with Eastern Cape Cooperatives with squid in basket |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers Taryn Perreira Kaplan, Buhle Francis and Irna Senekal facilitated discussions on leadership and cooperative development challenges faced by leaders from cooperatives with squid in their basket Outputs: recognition amongst leaders of shared challenges; connecting issues with DFFE; development of training material |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Cooperative Development with Eastern Cape Cooperatives with squid in basket |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers Taryn Perreira Kaplan, Buhle Francis, and Irna Senekal (Rhodes University, South Africa) facilitated discussions on leadership and cooperative development challenges faced by leaders from cooperatives with squid in their basket. Outputs: recognition amongst leaders of shared challenges, connecting issues with South Africa Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, and development of training material. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/deepening-partnerships-with-eastern-cape-small-scale-fishers-south-africa/ |
| Description | Countdown to the UN SDG Summit 2023 Webinar Series No. 8 - SDGs 15 & 16 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University. UK), delivered a presentation at a webinar titled "Countdown to the UN SDG Summit 2023 Webinar Series No. 8 - SDGs 15 & 16", which took place on 29 June 2023. The event was organised by the Stakeholder Forum. This 2-hour webinar was the eighth and last in Stakeholder Forum's 'Countdown to the UN SDG Summit 2023' series of 8 webinars in the run-up to the September 2023 SDG Summit. This webinar continued to explore the implementation, identified transformative actions for change, and assessed what kind of disruptions might be created together with the benefits of the goals under review and for other goals with which there are interlinkages, with an emphasis on strengthening the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda. The series brought together a wide range of experts, policymakers, and practitioners with knowledge of the SDGs' interlinkages, including their insights on integrated approaches that can help to develop recommendations on transformative actions for the SDGs. The intention of the series was also to establish communities of practice that will continue to work on this initiative in the lead-up to the 2023 SDG Summit and the Summit of the Future in 2024. This session focussed on SDGs 15 and 16 - Life on Land, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. It was moderated by Dr. David O'Connor, Permanent Representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature to the United Nations, in dialogue with a host of SDG and sustainability experts: Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, Senior Adviser, Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future; Dr. Elisa Morgera, Professor of Global Environmental Law and the Director of One Ocean Hub, University of Strathclyde Law School; Dr. Emlyn Koster, Director Emeritus, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology Alberta, Canada; Pieter van der Gaag, Executive Director, Ecosystem Restoration Communities and Chairman of the Board, Ecosystem Restoration Foundation; Dr. Louis Meuleman Vice Chair/Member United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration and Senior adviser on Governance; Dr. Pooja Balasubramanian, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS); Mr. David Kode, Advocacy & Campaigns Lead, CIVICUS, South Africa, and Professor Lichia Saner-Yiu, President of the Centre for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development (CSEND). The opening comments were given by Stakeholder Forum Director Irena Zubcevic, supported by Dr David Horan, Assistant Professor at Trinity Business School in Trinity College Dublin and Fellow of Stakeholder Forum where he advises on SDG Partnerships & Governance for the SDGs. The session was hosted by Charles Nouhan, Chairman of the Stakeholder Forum. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3saxwmnSjlw&t=60s |
| Description | Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreement Negotiations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera contributed to the 16th edition of the annual Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreement Negotiations organized by the UN Environment Programme and the University of Eastern Finland. Elisa co-facilitated with Charlotte Salpin (UNDOALOS) an interactive session on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, contributed to panel discussions on emerging Issues in international biodiversity law, and co-designed and co-facilitated a two-day negotiation exercise based on the ongoing UN negotiations on a new legally. In addition, Elisa led an interactive discussion among 30 participants (experienced government officials engaged in international environmental negotiations, as well as such as representatives of NGOs, the private sector, and academia) on the options for protecting marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and co-designed and co-facilitated a two-day negotiation exercise based on the ongoing UN negotiations on a new legally binding instrument on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. A publication will be prepared in late 2020 by UNEP for use by other negotiators globally. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.uef.fi/web/unep |
| Description | Court torpedoes Shell's Wild Coast blasting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This media article cited the work of Coastal Justice Network in collaboration with small-scale fisher cooperatives (e.g. Eastern Cape Khoisan Fisher) and environmentalists to halt Shell from undertaking seismic survey operations until environmental authorisation has been granted. The location of the seismic surveys overlapped with small-scale fishers' fishing territories, and with the spawning and migration routes of many of the species they depend upon, as well as others that are crucial for the entire ecosystems that they are a part of. Shell on 29 December 2021 suspended its seismic exploration of the Eastern Cape coastline after Judge Gerald Bloem's decision to urgently interdict Shell from proceedin its seismic survey was handed down in the Makhanda high court, South Africa. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2021-12-29-court-torpedoes-shells-wild-coast-blasting/ |
| Description | Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Guardian Newspaper featured an article "Covid tests and superbugs: why the deep sea is key to fighting pandemics" that contained interview with Hub researchers including Professor Kerry Howell and Professor Mathew Upton. Hub researchers explained how life in the deep-sea could generate new medicines, yet deep-sea mining is threatening to wipe it out. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/covid-tests-and-superbugs-how-the-deep-sea-could... |
| Description | Creating an interdisciplinary framework to advance sustainable fisheries in Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub held a workshop in Ghana from 26th-29th July 2022 to create an interdisciplinary analysis framework, building on the Hub research across different research programmes to achieve a 'whole system' perspective in understanding issues surrounding sustainable fisheries in Ghana. This blogpost provides an overview of the topics explored during the workshop. The workshop was designed to: 1. synthesise the Hub research and participant expert knowledge to promote interdisciplinary understanding towards sustainable fisheries. 2. agree on a set of fishery management scenarios that will allow fish stocks to recover to sustainable levels, including: - bringing clarity on what is a reasonable time frame for recovery of different stocks - determining the 'solution space' of possible scenarios that are consistent both with predicted stock trajectories and the socio-legislative context within Ghana. 3. determine the considerations, and possible analysis approaches, of a socio-ecological impact assessment (SEIA): - Combine the Hub expertise to collate a list of socio-ecological implications against different scenarios by changing the effort expended by a particular fleet. - Use expert judgement to appropriately score each fleet against these implications, including consideration of any connections and potential interactive effects between each. - Agree on a strategy and workplan for finalising the SEIA and communicating the outputs to key stakeholders. The workshop was chaired by Professor Benjamin Kofi Nyarko (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and Dr James Bell (Cefas, UK). It combined presentations by Hub researchers sharing updates from their research to date, identify outstanding gaps, and more importantly to share findings and collect feedback from relevant stakeholders, including with site visits to a boat yard in Biriwa and the Elmina fishing community. In addition, key stakeholders involved in this workshop included representatives from academia, governmental agencies, including the Fisheries Commission (and associated Scientific and Technical Committees) and the Environmental Protection Agency and civil society groups, such as the Asasepa Foundation and Hen Mpoano. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/creating-an-interdisciplinary-framework-to-advance-sustainable-fisheries-in-... |
| Description | Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Reflections from the Pacific |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This workshop featured three presentations covering recent perspectives, developments, and questions from the Pacific, particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The presentations were followed by questions and discussion surrounding the perspectives, questions, and insights shared. Speakers: • Lysa Wini, University of Strathclyde (Solomon Islands) • Vatu Molisa, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Liason Officer (Vanuatu) • Alifereti Tawake, Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (Fiji) In 2022-3, One Ocean Hub's Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Group organised a series of workshops on customary laws and (in)tangible heritage within ocean governance as part of the One Ocean Hub's programme for International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). These workshops were part of a series of initiatives to support the protection of human rights in the context of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZz83dgddE |
| Description | Customary Law, Tangible & Intangible Heritage, and Ocean Governance Workshop: Setting the Scene |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This first workshop of a Customary Law series in 2022 was organised on 6th May 2022. It focused on scene-setting and baseline setting discussing current developments and recent questions surrounding customary laws and tangible / intangible heritage within ocean governance processes (particularly within Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Protected Areas, and Marine Spatial Planning). The workshop featured three presentations covering recent perspectives from Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa followed by breakout groups where we can collectively discuss and share perspectives, questions, insights, and experiences. Speakers: • H?n Mpoano, Ghana • One Ocean Hub Researchers, University of Namibia, Namibia • Wilmien Wicomb, Legal Resources Centre, South Africa The workshop was convened by Hub researchers including Dr David Wilson (University of Strathclyde) and members of the Hub's Customary Law group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsMGss2WeU |
| Description | DEEP Fund projects highlighting Indigenous connections to the ocean presented to local community and decision-makers in Vanuatu |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Following the highly successful launch of the Undercurrents exhibition in Glasgow, and subsequent pavilion at Somerset House in London as part of the 2023 Design Biennale, recent DEEP Fund activities have shifted focus back to project partner countries. Intrinsic to the DEEP Fund is a commitment to support dissemination and engagement activities proposed by project collaborators. This means that, counter to approaches that instrumentalise creative works solely for the agendas of funders, the DEEP Fund focuses on collaborating with projects to identify audiences of influence most important to them, including local, national and regional decision-makers. Exemplifying this approach, the creative outputs of the Hub's three Pacific DEEP Fund projects were presented at the 7th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFEST) held in July 2023 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-fund-projects-highlighting-indigenous-connections-to-the-ocean-presente... |
| Description | Daily Maverick (South Africa): "A Durban theatre company is drawing attention to the ocean through powerful storytelling" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Durban theatre company, Empatheatre, performed its play 'Lalela Ulwandle' at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh on 14 November. The intention of the cast and crew was to place an 'acupuncture point' within COP27 decision-making and spark deeper consideration of grassroots coastal realities of the climate crisis. Theatre productions are "profound storytelling tools" that can improve how we make decisions around the critical aspects of our world, such as the climate crisis. Empatheatre, a Durban-based theatre company, planned to accomplish exactly that at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt this week, according to co-founder Dylan McGarry. Empatheatre's recent play, Lalela Ulwandle ("Listen to the Sea" in isiZulu), had been invited to COP27 by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to perform in Sharm el-Sheikh on 14 November, at the Capacity-building Hub of the Blue Zone as part of the One Ocean Hub. The Empatheatre performance at Climate COP27 was reported in Daily Maverick, a South Africa national media, on 15th November 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-11-15-how-storytelling-is-helping-to-change-the-way-pow... |
| Description | Daily Maverick: 'A stitch in sacred time' - exhibition weaves our oceans back into the realm of the divine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This article published in Daily Maverick, a newspaper in South Africa, on 5 September 2022 featured the Hub exhibition 'Our Ocean is Sacred, You can't Mine Heaven,' led by Dr Dylan McGary, Rhodes University South Africa and funded by One Ocean Hub's DEEP Fund. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-05-a-stitch-in-sacred-time-exhibition-weaves-our-oce... |
| Description | Data sharing and metadata workshop for students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | In October 2023, the Hub organised a Data sharing and metadata workshop where Hub researcher William Cantah (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) delivered a presentation. During this workshop, participants were taken through the management of research data, data lifecycle, challenges and benefits associated with data sharing, achieving research data transparency, understanding metadata, producing quality metadata, principles of good metadata management and benefits of managing metadata |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective (A partner session for the OECD 15th Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chain ) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | On 5th May 2022, the One Ocean Hub was invited by the World Economic Forum to contribute to a webinar on "Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective." The webinar served to discuss a white paper commissioned by the Forum on the potential exploitation of deep-sea minerals from the perspective of the responsible sourcing of materials and downstream manufacturers and markets that source minerals that could power the low-carbon transition. The paper identified significant gaps in knowledge, stakeholder participation and consensus, which together impede sound decision-making on deep-sea mineral stewardship. One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to deliver a presentation by the World Economic Forum on their webinar titled 'Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective'. The event was a partner session for the OECD 15th Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chain. We face hard choices about the use of our planet's resources. In 20 or 30 years' time, the commodities most critical to powering the global economy will not be hydrocarbons. They will be metals. Debate is taking place on the potential exploitation of deep-sea minerals: do they have a place in product supply chains as we move towards more sustainable business models and the responsible sourcing of materials? In this session panellists discussed how such a question can be rightly posed in a pragmatic, real-world decision-making environment from the perspective of the downstream manufacturers and markets that source metals. The event included the presentation by World Economic Forum on their white paper, a presentation by a representative of the London Metal Exchange about the responsible sourcing perspective, and a presentation by an international organization on the importance of good decision making in the context of deep-sea mining. Panellists: Dr Assheton Stewart Carter, CEO, TDI Sustainability Dr Elisa Morgera, Professor of Global Environmental Law, University of Strathclyde Law School, Glasgow Craig Woodburn, Head of ESG, British Volt The newly published paper by the World Economic Forum, Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective, was presented at this Webinar. Read the paper here: https://www.weforum.org/whitepapers/decision-making-on-deep-sea-mineral-stewardship-a-supply-chain-perspective Hub Director Elisa Morgera, also presented findings from Hub early-career researchers Kirsty McQuaid and Holly Niner (Plymouth University, UK) and Graham Hamley (Strathclyde University, UK). Her presentation underscored that: - The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has a mandate to protect the marine environment and ensure benefits to humankind, which should also be understood with reference to the deep-sea ecosystems services that are experienced globally (such as climate regulation, food provision, bio-medical and other innovation, knowledge production to inform conservation and sustainable use, as well as cultural and spiritual services); - Critical knowledge gaps concern: therelationships controlling deep-sea ecosystem functions; the thresholds for impact from deep-seabed mining (insufficient data); the ecological connectivity and effects are experienced very far from the deep-seabed (with effects not likely to be evenly experienced); - The interactions between SDGs and blue economy policies; and how distant the majority of those likely to be affected by any damage to ecosystem services are from decision-making and from oversight of the industry; - Risks for states include: non-compliance with international obligations on the protection of the environment from various sources (ocean, climate change, biodiversity) and with international human rights obligations (procedural, as well as substantive (particularly human right to health) beyond mining site (interruption or impairment of ecosystem services such as disruption of fish stocks and interruption of fisheries, and bioaccumulation of metal residues in marine species that may be passed up to the human food chain; and regulating services, by disturbing carbon sequestered in seabed sediment); -Hindrance to advancing ocean science and knowledge production, undermining effective conservation, thresholds for sustainable use in other sectors; and bio-discovery (global health, renewables, conservation); and - Risks for companies: difficult to establish minimum due diligence as best practice from other industry sectors (under which biodiversity decline has continued) is difficult to relate to the knowledge gaps and unique challenges of deep-seabed mining; the lack of inclusion of marine and social sciences in expert judgment and baseline data (and limited consistency of available data that prevents comparison and regional environmental management); and inappropriate inclusion of remediation and biodiversity offsetting in the deep-sea mining context. The meeting was held under Chatham House Rules. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/highlighting-critical-gaps-in-decision-making-on-deep-seabed-mining/ |
| Description | Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | News coverage of cruise expedition |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20230330/281565180020241 |
| Description | Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in SA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Two PhD students from the University of Cape Town (UCT) were part of a team of marine scientists who embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to develop the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The students are Caroline Sejeng and Ndamononghenda Mateus. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-03-17-dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-i... |
| Description | Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A diverse team of scientists have returned from a month offshore in a groundbreaking expedition that advanced the capacity, technology, and multidisciplinary knowledge for better management of South Africa's oceans. The main aims of this research cruise were for emerging researchers and postgraduate students from South Africa and Namibia to develop skills in offshore research, collect data to support their studies and to build the research teams that we need to solve the changes associated with developing a sustainable oceans economy. This expedition was different in that it was developed and led by emerging researchers themselves and in the new technology and depths reached while sampling the marine environment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.sanbi.org/news/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa-2/ |
| Description | Deep Fund Showcase |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Dr Philile Mbatha (University of Cape Town, South Africa) attended this event in April 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Deep Undercurrents: Reflecting on the research insights arising from the DEEP Fund projects |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Undercurrents: Art and the Ocean in Africa and the Pacific exhibition showcased DEEP Fund outputs at the Glasgow School of Art's Reid Gallery in April 2023 and has now been launched as the Undercurrents Digital Exhibition. It is now is a good time to reflect on the processes that underpinned the exhibition, One Ocean Hub's DEEP Fund, and to highlight future exhibitions, dissemination routes and publications that arise directly from this work. The DEEP Fund has so far funded nine community-led art-based research projects with makers based in Ghana, South Africa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Each project has had multiple impacts in domains such as capacity building, creative economies, and evidencing the value of Indigenous knowledge for understanding the impact of the ocean-climate nexus on local communities. Critically, each project also surfaces and highlights communities' long-term spiritual and cultural connections to, and claims on, the ocean. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/deep-undercurrents-reflecting-on-the-research-insights-arising-from-the-deep... |
| Description | Deep sea decisions can consider Indigenous knowledge: Indigenous cultural relationships to the seabed have already been taken into account in three successful court proceedings in South Africa. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Indigenous cultural relationships to the seabed have already been taken into account in three successful court proceedings in South Africa. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://360info.org/deep-sea-decisions-can-consider-indigenous-knowledge/ |
| Description | Deep seabed mining and Human rights |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In September 2023 Hub director Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), joined the OHCHR at this event. The aim of this high-level 'sandwich-lunch' event is to introduce and explore the links and considerations between deep seabed mining (DSM) and human rights (HR) with experts from HR, the mining industry and marine environment. How the impact of DSM on the environment might lead to impacts on the Human Right to a healthy environment and what (if any) the current DSM contractors might plan to manage this risk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In February 2023, Hub researcher Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise is funded by the Hub. The main aim of the cruise is to develop the capacity of a team of young researchers who can work together to solve the challenges of offshore research and management. Research goals include the use of cutting-edge genetic research to detect environmental DNA of threatened species, exploring patterns in invertebrate and fish biodiversity with increasing depth and work to understand the drivers of these patterns in the dynamic high current environment of the Amathole Offshore Protected Area. The project also includes innovative, social and cultural aspects that recognise the deep human connections with the ocean and the team are working on understanding the use of marine species in medicine and ritual practices, including the identification and mapping of Culturally Significant Areas in the coastal and ocean environment. The cruise is funded by the One Ocean Hub and it's an initiative of the Capacity Strengthening component of the Hub. Last year, Hub researchers together with collaborators undertook a study to understand the challenges and solutions to develop capacity for deep-sea research and management in South Africa. One of the recommendations was to hold dedicated in-country expeditions using available or locally developed technology under local conditions. This can provide relevant opportunities for more researchers and is a valuable addition to the more common approach where one or two scientists are able to participate in an international expedition with equipment that is usually not available in-country. The expedition is led by a young marine biologist, Luther Adams (South African National Biodiversity Institute). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-af... |
| Description | Deepening offshore research capacity in South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise is funded by the Hub. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-supported-deep-sea-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-af... |
| Description | Design news: how to live on water, Issey Miyake and the best of the biennales |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Coverage of Undercurrents exhibition in The Guardian |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/may/23/design-news-how-to-live-on-water-issey-miyake-a... |
| Description | Dwesa-Cwebe MPA government meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In October 2023 Hub researcher Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa) participated in a high level governmental meeting regarding the Dwesa-Cwebe MPA challenges and recognition of customary fishing rights |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | EGS Regional SSF Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers Dr Jackie Sunde and Dr Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town, South Africa) organised a regional workshop in Velddrif, Western Cape Province, South Africa. The workshop took place on 28-29 March 2023 and was attended by 25 small-scale fishers from Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa. It focused on "Making space for small-scale fishers: Community-based, participatory GIS linked mapping tool." This particular tool takes the form of a process of individual interviews with fishers using a geographic information system (GIS) referenced map to enable them to identify their traditional fishing spots. For further information see also method & tool entry titled "Making space for small-scale fishers: Community-based, participatory GIS linked mapping tool." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/t7gtofvfernq1mfkvdb3eckme3 |
| Description | Earth scholarship awarded for the second time to a Hub early-career researcher |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub early-career researcher Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) has been awarded an EARTH scholarship by the British Council Scotland, which is thematically focused on environmental arts and humanities and their interdisciplinary connection. Aphiwe is currently also acting as research trainee at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, working on the knowledge-translation platform One Ocean Learn. The scholarship will support Aphiwe in undertaking research at the University of Strathclyde (UK) from April-July 2024 on the human rights dimensions of her research findings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/earth-scholarship-awarded-to-the-second-hub-early-career-researcher/ |
| Description | Effects of Climate Change on the World Ocean conference held in Bergen, Norway |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Lynne Shannon, Kelly Ortega (University of Cape Town, South Africa) and Louis Gammage chaired a session on transdisciplinary approaches for marine coastal community decision support under climate change and presented a talk on "Developing science-based actions to address South African marine ecosystem implications of the combined biodiversity and climate crisis". The paper was authored by Hub researchers Lynne Shannon, Kelly Ortega-Cisneros (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Kerry Sink (The South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa), Elisa Morgera, Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Holly Niner (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) and external researchers Yunne Shi, Neville Sweijd and Lauren Waller. The paper is in preparation for a special issue of ICES, submission date October 2023. Abstract: Given the urgency of the global crisis in biodiversity loss and climate change, there is a strong focus in the international arena on formulating and actioning targets to address these interlinked crises that are seriously threatening life on earth, and the sustainability of humankind. Global initiatives such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), and the Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), are working towards actioning global solutions to curbing biodiversity loss, loss of ecosystem services and overall sustainability. A parallel and even longer-standing process has been underway to address climate change, its impacts and possible solutions via the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In 2021, a comprehensive global report was published following a workshop co-hosted by IPCC and IPBES on Biodiversity and Climate Change. The challenge remains in interlinking climate and biodiversity targets and formulating supportive actions that can inform local scale activities. Here, we use the South African marine ecosystem as a case study to identify locally-meaningful actions that would address globally-relevant biodiversity and climate targets in a connected and unified manner. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.ices.dk/events/symposia/Pages/eccwo5.aspx |
| Description | Eighth International Conference on the Law of the Sea |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), was invited to speak at the Eighth International Conference on the Law of the Sea, to be held in Seoul, Korea on November 20 and 21, 2023 with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MOFA) as the host, and the Korean Society of International Law (KSIL) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) as the co-organisers. Prof Morgera's presentation at the event focused on Marine Genetic Resources, including the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Empatheatre at United Nations World Oceans Week in New York: Why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Coverage of Empatheatre's performance at the United Nations' World Oceans Week |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.jozigist.co.za/empatheatre-at-united-nations-world-oceans-week-in-new-york-why-storytell... |
| Description | Empatheatre performance 'Lalela uLwandle' sparked conversations around ocean governance during UN celebrations of World Oceans Week |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Acclaimed South African theatre collective, Empatheatre took centre stage at the United Nations World Ocean Week in New York 7 June 2023 where they performed 'Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' - a play that explores intergenerational environmental injustices and sheds light on inclusive forms of ocean governance. Having made an impression at last year's Climate COP27 and just returned from Rome, performing at the FAO closing of the International Year of artisanal fisheries and aquaculture, the group was excited to perform, yet again, in front of decision-makers, UN officials and ocean experts gathered in New Work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-performance-lalela-ulwandle-sparked-conversation-around-ocean-go... |
| Description | Empatheatre performance at IYAFA closing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The fourth event that the Hub organized for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) Closing was titled "Empatheatre performance Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)." The event took place after the official, high-level closing of IYAFA on 31 March 2023. Prior to the official performance day the Empatheatre team also held a rehearsal session 30 March 2023. Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) is a research-based theatre performance and public dialogue event that explores how we may start to build resilience and adaptation to climate change through environmentally just and equitable processes. Whilst grounded in the South African experience, the inter-generational stories of the sea performed in Lalela uLwandle resonate strongly with an international audience. The performance was followed by a facilitated public discussion with researchers, performers, decision-makers, and the audience on the themes that emerge from the play. Prior to the IYAFA Closing in March 2023, Lalela uLwandle was performed at the UN Climate COP27 in Egypt in November 2022. Empatheatre team: Alison Cassels (Actor, Empatheatre) Phumelephi Mthombeni (Actor /Director, Empatheatre) Rory Booth (Actor/Empatheatre) Dylan McGarry (Director, Empatheatre and Rhodes University, One Ocean Hub) Kira Erwin (Researcher, Durban University of Technology, One Ocean Hub,) Taryn-Leigh Pereira-Kaplan (Researcher, Rhodes University, One Ocean Hub) Buhle Francis (Researcher, Rhodes University, One Ocean Hub) Philile Mbatha (Researcher University of Cape Town, One Ocean Hub https://www.flickr.com/photos/faonews/albums/72177720307162658 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-events-in-rome-for-the-closing-of-iyafa/ |
| Description | Empatheatre short film 'Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey' at the United Nations World Ocean Week |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Ancestors were present in this year's UN World Oceans Week in the form of a digital storytelling and research project. The five-minute film, which took five years to create, explores an aspect of intangible ocean heritage and involved the participation of Indigenous knowledge holders from South Africa. The film and underlying research were headed by Empatheatre, who presented their latest collaboratively made short film, 'Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey," at the United Nations World Ocean Week in New York in June 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/empatheatre-short-film-indlela-yokuphila-the-souls-journey-at-the-united-nat... |
| Description | Empty or Livelihood Space? Changing narratives about the ocean space and ocean defenders in the roll out of blue economy plans |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | As a follow up to the Hub's engagement with the Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment in 2021 and 2022 and at World Oceans Week in 2022, on 14 March 2023, Hub researchers and small-scale fishers from South Africa participated in the "Water Defenders Workshop", organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/empty-or-livelihood-space-changing-narratives-about-the-ocean-space-and-ocea... |
| Description | Enforcement Training Workshop On Ocean Governance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This Ocean Governance enforcement training workshop was organised by Hub researchers at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana and the Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa (CEMLAWS Africa). The workshop took place in June 2023. The workshop worked with 23 personnel from 16 diverse institutions responsible for ocean law enforcement in Ghana and they were taken through an overview of the Law of the Sea, an introduction to Ocean Governance, Maritime Zones & Enforcement Mandates, an Overview of the Challenges in the Ocean Space, Enforcement of Ocean Laws in Ghana and Pluralistic Legal Approaches for Inclusive and Equitable Oceans Governance |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Engagement of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and Cocoa Affairs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Engagement of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and Cocoa Affairs session took place in August 2023, where Hub researcher Benjamin Kofi Nyarko (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) delivered a presentation. The audience was briefed on the Climate Change vulnerability and adaptation for coastal communities and the multi-disciplinary decision support tool for fisheries management in Ghana |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Engaging with UNEP on ocean plastics, environmental justice and human rights |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | On Worlds Ocean Day, 8th June 2022, the UN Environment Programme released a new e-learning course co-developed with the One Ocean Hub on multilateral environmental agreements and ocean plastic (SDG 14.1), which integrates international human rights law. The course titled "Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution: Legal Frameworks" is available on UNEP InforMEA platform (the UN Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements) upon registration: https://www.informea.org/en. During the UN Ocean Conference (27th June 2022), UNEP also launched another new e-learning course co-developed with the One Ocean Hub on multilateral environmental agreements related to each target of SDG 14, which integrates international human rights law considerations in relation to marine conservation, small-scale fishers, fisheries subsidies, and technology transfer. The course titled "Introductory Course on SDG 14 and Ocean Governance" is also available on UNEP InforMEA platform. In addition, the Hub has published online 5 draft information-sheets on the environmental justice and human rights dimensions of ocean plastics (see here, here, here, here and here), including on children's human rights, that show alignment between insights from the Global South about global and local equity issues and international human rights law. We welcome feedback on these draft information-sheets (please email elisa.morgera(at)strath.ac.uk). All these tools will build on the Hub research on human rights and the protection of the marine environment, with insights from different disciplines, countries and regions. We expect that they can support the negotiations of a new treaty on plastics, as well as work at the national level. Hub Director Elisa Morgera discussed the key points captured in the info-sheets at the Winter-Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment organized by the Global Network of Human Rights and the Environment and UNEP, during a webinar on "Ocean Plastic and Ocean Waste" organized by UNEP on 23 June 2022, and at a workshop on 24th June organized by NERC-NRF South East Asia Marine Plastics programme of the UK's Natural Environment Research Council and the National Research Foundation, Singapore. The key messages from Hub research shared at the event were: An environmental justice perspective serves to clarify that no one-size approach can be taken to address ocean plastics, but rather a plurality of contextual responses to be co-developed with affected communities, and indigenous and local knowledge holders; Caution is necessary against transposing understandings and approaches arising from the Global North, due to documented risks of being ineffective in the Global South and producing further injustices; Human rights can respond to the insights arising from environmental justice research, supporting system thinking and transformative change in the context of ocean plastics; Procedural human rights are relevant also in the context of international cooperation, so States need to provide for the "participation of human rights holders" as part of more generic "stakeholder engagement" in the development of the new plastic treaty and other international legal and policy responses; Human rights and environmental justice need to be integrated in assessments of the effectiveness of proposed solutions and current measures to tackle ocean plastics; Knowledge gaps need to be identified and prioritized on the basis of human rights and environmental justice, supporting the application of precaution in decision making, and giving direction to ocean research finance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/engaging-on-ocean-plastics-environmental-justice-and-human-rights/ |
| Description | Enhancing Image Based Biodiversity Assessment to Advance Deep-Sea Taxonomy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In October 2021, Hub Co-Director, Professor Kerry Howell, chaired the International Seabed Authority's virtual workshop entitled 'Enhancing Image Based Biodiversity Assessment to Advance Deep-Sea Taxonomy'. The workshop focused on the need for standards around the acquisition, processing, analysis and archiving of image-based biodiversity data in the context of environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Hub early career researcher Kirsty McQuaid presented the SMarTaR-ID initiative and the web portal to support this, which was developed under the One Ocean Hub as part of extending this initiative to the South Atlantic region. The workshop highlighted the need for capacity building in deep-sea taxonomy and image-based analysis, and the development of digital infrastructure to support this. The workshop report will be published shortly. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://isa.org.jm/event/workshop-enhancing-image-based-biodiversity-assessments-oct2021 |
| Description | Ensuring sufficient attention to the link between the ocean, climate change and the right to food |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub's written submission on the impacts of climate change on the human right to food in the context of ocean governance has been included in the UN Secretary-General's Report on "Adverse impact of climate change on the full realisation of the right to food" (A/HRC/53/47). The Hub submission aimed to ensure that enough attention is paid to the negative impacts of climate change on food security at the ocean-climate nexus. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/ensuring-sufficient-attention-to-the-link-between-the-ocean-climate-change-a... |
| Description | Environmental Impact Assessment within the Oil and Gas Industry (South Africa) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In collaboration with Green Connections, a community-based organisation concerned with upholding constitutional rights and raising awareness about these rights among coastal communities especially in relation to blue economy project in South Africa, Hub researcher Professor Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town) has developed two videos that raise awareness about Environmental Impact Assessment and when and how communities need to be consulted and involved. The video titled 'Environmental Impact Assessment within the Oil and Gas Industry' was one of the outputs Professor Merle Sowman co-produced with Green Connections on this topic. This video has been used as part of Green Connections's 'Who Stole Our Oceans' campaign since May 2021. The 'Who Stole Our Oceans' campaign is an environmental and social justice campaign launched by Green Connections in 2020, in a bid to protect our oceans for future generations with a particular emphasis on opposing offshore oil and gas exploration. The video had been translated into two coastal languages (Xhosa and Afrikaans). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/ZNhrkNaytFY |
| Description | European External Action Service (EEAS) virtual roundtable discussion on human rights and the environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, contributed to a European External Action Service (EEAS) virtual roundtable discussion on human rights and the environment organised earlier this month. She called for specific attention to the inter-dependence of marine biodiversity and human rights in international climate and ocean discussions, and for increased protection of ocean defenders, including in the context of marine conservation initiatives. The roundtable was organised over two days to advance the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024. Around 60 participants joined the event, moderated by Fiona Harvey from the Guardian, under the Chatham House Rule. The initiative was a response to the recommendations made by Morgera in her 2020 study for the EU Parliament on "biodiversity as a human right." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Examples from the Hub presented at the Future Earth Assembly |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In September 2021, Dr Lynne Shannon (University of Cape Town) was invited to the Future Earth Assembly to give a presentation about the contribution of marine research to international initiatives aimed at curbing biodiversity loss globally. Her presentation entitled "How Marine Sciences Integrate with Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) included key examples from One Ocean Hub on addressing and actioning global biodiversity targets at the national scale. Watch the recording here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8uFMqdj-F4(starting at 6:08min) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8uFMqdj-F4 |
| Description | Exploring equity and human rights issues of ocean plastics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub was invited to contribute to the Ocean Nexus Center's UN Decade of Ocean Science event "The Equity Puzzle of Ocean Litter" on 17 November 2021. Professor Elisa Morgera, Hub Director, explored the human rights dimensions of ocean plastic pollution as part of the broader international ocean governance landscape. She explained how international human rights standards can help identify appropriate governance responses to the ocean litter crisis that can be embedded in, and connect, multiple international processes related to plastics ranging from chemicals and wastes, to biodiversity, climate change and freshwater. She underscored the role of human rights also for business due diligence, and the role of the human right to science in developing specific action on ocean plastics to produce equitable outcomes through the UN Decade for Ocean Science. The presentation builds on ongoing research in partnership with UNEP on the environmental justice issues of ocean plastics, and Hub submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and the UN Special Rapporteur on Environment and Human Rights (reported under 'Other Outputs', and 'Policy Influence') |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oceannexus.uw.edu/our-community/un-decade-of-ocean-science-for-sustainable-development/event... |
| Description | Exploring the path towards implementation of the BBNJ Agreement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | With 84 signatories already supporting the 2023 Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), national governments and international judges are starting to consider the way forward towards implementing this ground-breaking international treaty. As part of these efforts, Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) was invited to reflect on fair and equitable benefit-sharing under the BBNJ Agreement at an international law conference titled "Law of the Sea for the Next Generation: BBNJ Agreement, from Definition to Regulation" in Seoul, the Republic of Korea on 20-22 November 2023, which was co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Association of International Law, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-path-towards-implementation-of-the-bbnj-agreement/ |
| Description | FAO Internal Workshop: Technical Dialogue on the legal protection of Indigenous Peoples' collective rights to land, territories and resources |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Prof Elisa Morgera was invited to attend an internal workshop of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) titled: Technical Dialogue on the legal protection of Indigenous Peoples' collective rights to land, territories and resources. This technical dialogue event formed part of an ongoing consultancy with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to publish a legislative guide on collective rights of indigenous peoples over natural resources (including marine resources), that will eventually be presented to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues by FAO. One Ocean Hub Early Career Researcher, Dr David Wilson, also attended and presented on historical perspectives and legacy of colonisation in these contexts. This inclusion from Dr Wilson has led to the integration of historical perspectives for the first time in an FAO study, as well as insights from legal anthropology (although some of that was done before for some land-focused publications). Following on from this event, Dr Wilson together with fellow Hub early career researcher Dr Laura Major, will be co-authors of the study with Prof Morgera. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/scelgawardedfaoco... |
| Description | Fiji Stakeholder Working Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub researchers at the University of the South Pacific, Fiji, have established a network of stakeholders and are undertaking ongoing engagement and consultation with this group to inform research design and priorities in country. Organisations engaged: 3rd Sector Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas Network; Fiji Women in Fisheries; IUCN-Oceania; Wildlife Conservation Society-Melanesia Office; Conservation International; Fiji Women in Maritime Policy Makers Ministry of Waterways and Environment; Ministry of Forests; Ministry of Fisheries; Ministry of Women and Poverty Alleviation; Ministry of iTaukei Affairs; Ministry of Economy; Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts Regional Management Organisations Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | First Planning Meeting of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in Copenhagen |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Daniela Diz (Strathclyde) contributed expertise to shaping the priorities of the Decade in areas related to inter-disciplinarity, data gaps in deep sea ecosystems, mesopelagic species, and liaised with Hub partners present to collaborate on related projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://oceandecade.org/resource/58/Summary-Report-of-the-First-Global-Planning-Meeting-UN-Decade-of... |
| Description | Fisher womxn's coastal justice workshop in South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 15th April 2021 the One Ocean Hub's early career researcher, Buhle Francis (Rhodes University), organised the first Coastal Justice Network workshop with fisher womxn from the Eastern Cape Black Fishers' Association (ECBFA). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Fisheries Trade Monitoring & Compliance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The FishFORCE Academy (Nelson Mandela University) in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub hosted an online specialised training session titled Fisheries Trade Monitoring & Compliance. The purpose of the course was to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge, understanding and practical skills relating to the international trade in fisheries products in order to reduce IUU fishing and fisheries crime and to support fisheries management. Participants were introduced to information on national and international laws and policies associated with fisheries trade as well as relevant institutions and private sector stakeholders. The course was held virtually from 18 August 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://fishforce.mandela.ac.za/ |
| Description | Fisheries crime is a huge parallel economic system - FishFORCE is harnessing tech to fight it" Daily Maverick online news article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Organised crime, with its link to the illegal harvesting, processing and trading of fish and seafood globally, is so huge that it is in effect a parallel economic system, undermining sustainable economic growth and posing a significant challenge to fisheries law enforcement agencies across the world. The FishFORCE Academy was established in 2016 as a result of a growing realisation that illegal fishing is far more than this, and that in many instances the activities are undertaken by international organised crime syndicates. FishFORCE aims to improve the knowledge and skills of fisheries control officers and inspectors, to promote the prioritisation of fisheries crime and intelligence-led investigations and to improve prosecutions of fisheries crime in Africa and globally. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Fishers Tales Exhibition - KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 2 March 2022, Kwa Zulu Natal Society of Arts gallery's website published a news-piece on Fishers' Tales Exhibition at KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts Gallery, Durban, South Africa. The exhibition was held on 2 March-3April 2022. Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. This project explores fishers' connections and emotional bonds to the ocean using a visual storytelling approach. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The Fishers' Tales exhibition also provides a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban, as the project is specifically aimed to support creative students studying in the city. The stories and accompanying artwork seek to highlight the similarities and differences in fishers' engagements with the ocean from subsistence to recreational, provoking reflection, empathy, and dialogue. In this sense, the project hopes to build both awareness and solidarity with subsistence and small-scale fishers, who have enormous knowledge and care for the ocean that sustains them. The history of fishing in KwaZulu-Natal is where this project originates. Looking into the history of the diverse people who live along this coastal province, the daily moments captured by the artists offers insight into these experiences of connecting with the ocean, and the complex permitting regulations that impacts negatively on the livelihoods of fishers and their ability to practice fishing as part of their cultural heritage. The exhibition also highlights how climate change has affected marine life in the ocean and how that has negatively impacted the lives of small-scale and subsistence fisherfolk. Increasingly fishers along our coast line are joining the struggle for ocean wellbeing. The project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.kznsagallery.co.za/Exhibitions/View/1005/fishers-tales |
| Description | Fishers presentations and workshop KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "On 2 April 2022, Hub researcher, Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, South Africa), organised an event titled 'Fishers presentations and workshop at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts Gallery Durban, South Africa. The event was organised as part of the Fishers' Tales exhibition. We invited fishers through to the gallery to listen to a story from one of the oldest fishers in the Kwa Zulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum, as well as discuss the exhibition and explain the broader context in which fishers find themselves in relation to oil and gas exploration and climate change. We used the video clips (Lalela Ulwandle and Blue Blanket) to reinforce this discussion. There were a mix of old and young fishers present and the audience got a chance to have a dialogue with the fishers present. Fishers' Tales exhibition at Kwa Zulu Natal Society of Arts Gallery ran from 2 March - 3 April 2022. Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. This project explores fishers' connections and emotional bonds to the ocean using a visual storytelling approach. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The Fishers' Tales exhibition also provides a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban, as the project is specifically aimed to support creative students studying in the city. The Fishers' Tales project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). " |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/the-art-of-engagement-the-fishers-tales-exhibition/ |
| Description | Fishers' Songs From Ghana: A Documentary Film Screening |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Documentary Film Screening of Fishers' Songs From Ghana was directed by Hub researcher Dr Eric Debrah Otchere (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and screened in May 2023. The film Cocooned in Harmony: Power, Agency and Multiple Realities in the Songs of Indigenous Ghanaian Seine Fisherfolk showed how Ghanaian artisanal fishers' songs illuminate their identity, power/inequality and gender issues, as well as emotional connections to the ocean. These songs offer unique insights into the, often side-lined, voices of artisanal fishers. The screening was followed by a Q&A with the director, Eric Debrah Otchere (University of Cape Coast, Ghana). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgti_t34PU |
| Description | Fishforce delivered a series of five workshops for peace officers and law for fisheries control officers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Fishforce presented specialised gill-netting workshops comprising law enforcement by peace officers, and law for fisheries control officers (FCOs). 7-9 Feb 2022 Richards Bay - 15 delegates attended from South African Police Service (SAPS) Search and Rescue in KZN. 28 Feb- 2 March 2022 Durban -18 delegates attended from SAPS Search and Rescue in KZN. 10 Feb 2022 Fishforce Presenting evidence in court for FCOs workshop for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) (7 delegates attended) Enforcement of Marine and Coastal Legislation for SANParks Knysna and Wilderness 14-18 March 2022 - Knysna (22 delegates) 28 March- 1 April 2022 Knysna (15 delegates)" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://fishforce.mandela.ac.za/ |
| Description | Fishforce delivered a series of five workshops for peace officers and law for fisheries control officers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Fishforce presented specialised gill-netting workshops comprising law enforcement by peace officers, and law for fisheries control officers (FCOs) 7-9 Feb 2022 Richards Bay - 15 delegates attended from SAPS Search and Rescue in KZN. 28 Feb- 2 March 2022 Durban -18 delegates attended from SAPS Search and Rescue in KZN. 10 Feb 2022 Fishforce Presenting evidence in court for FCOs workshop for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) (7 delegates attended) Enforcement of Marine and Coastal Legislation for SANParks Knysna and Wilderness 14-18 March 2022 - Knysna (22 delegates) 28 March- 1 April 2022 Knysna (15 delegates) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Fishforce together with Stop Ilegal Fishing hosted three national inter-agency workshops on theimplementation of the FAO Port State Measures Agreement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 14 - 18 March 2022 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - 24 delegates 25 - 29 April 2022 Maputo, Mozambique - 24 delegates 09 - 13 May 2022 Mombasa, Kenya - 25 delegates |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Fishforce together with Stop Ilegal Fishing hosted three national inter-agency workshops on theimplementation of the FAO Port State Measures Agreement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher, Prof Hennie van As (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) organised a series of workshops to stop illegal fishing. Dates, locations, and number of workshop participants are listed below. 14 - 18 March 2022 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - 24 delegates 25 - 29 April 2022 Maputo, Mozambique - 24 delegates 09 - 13 May 2022 Mombasa, Kenya - 25 delegates" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://fishforce.mandela.ac.za/ |
| Description | Food and Agriculture Organization & the One Ocean Hub Virtual Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (hereafter "SSF Guidelines"), , are the first international instrument dedicated entirely to the small-scale fisheries (SSF) sector. It is an international formally non-binding instrument that provides international standards and recommendations on how States and non-State actors should adequately address issues and challenges for the benefit of the social-, economic- and environmental sustainability of small-scale fisheries. The Development Law Service of the Legal Office of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), FAO's Fisheries Policy, Economics and Institutions Branch (NFIP) and the One Ocean Hub (OOH) organised this Virtual Regional Training Workshop (VRTW), which tested the use of the FAO Small Scale Fishing (SSF) Legislative Guide as well as the SSF Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool, supporting the implementation of the voluntary SSF Guidelines. The participants of this VRTW have contributed to enhance the implementation of the SSF Legislative Guide while improving the advanced version of the SSF Policy and Legal Diagnostic Tool prior to its publication. After the use of both tools has been validated, it is envisaged that similar regional or national workshops in other countries will be delivered in the future. As a follow-on to this event the FAO invited the One Ocean Hub to collaborate in the delivery of a workshop at the Conference of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics & Trade (IIFET), which will be held from 18 to 22 July 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.fao.org/legal-services/news/detail/en/c/1459639/ |
| Description | From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa's Deep Ocean Connections. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This World Oceans Day we dive into South Africa's coastal and marine heritage, through a film that recognises and surfaces the tangible and intangible connections of our people to South Africa's oceans. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://saiab.ac.za/from-seascapes-to-sacred-traditions-mzansea-film-shines-light-on-south-africas-d... |
| Description | Further Integrating Human Rights in the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In the lead up to the next phase of the global plastics treaty negotiations (29 May - 2 June 2023, Paris), which are also tasked to deal with ocean plastic pollution, a new research paper and policy brief addressed to international negotiations advances understanding of the implications of the human right to health for State obligations currently being discussed in. Just before the second session of the International Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, Hub researchers Stephanie Switzer and early-career researcher Graham Hamley (University of Strathclyde) recommend that a new treaty should include international obligations for States to advance scientific knowledge on the links between plastics and human health, prevent discrimination, prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable, adopt restorative measures and include provisions on business due diligence. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/further-integrating-human-rights-in-the-global-plastics-treaty-negotiations/ |
| Description | Future Earth Global Research Network meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Lynne Shannon (University of Cape Town, South Africa) attended the meeting of this network in August 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Future Governance of Ocean-Based Negative Emissions Technologies Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Research Institute for Sustainability - Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, based in Germany, invited Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) to talk at the Future Governance of Ocean-Based Negative Emissions Technologies Workshop, which took place on 30 November 2023. Prof Morgera was invited to share her perspective on human rights considerations for marine carbon dioxide removal during the "Spotlight Talks" workshop session which aimed to highlight the many complexities ocean-based negative emissions technologies may pose to the international governance arena and to initiate discussions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/clarifying-state-obligations-and-researchers-responsibilities-at-the-ocean-c... |
| Description | GHANA Policy Partner Consultations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing meetings in Ghana between our academic partners at the University of Cape Coast and relevant national agencies to discuss the extent to identify the challenges and possible areas of collaboration. The first meeting: (1) examined data and records held by the environmental agenices on projects and research concerning the oceans; (2) established pathways for engagement and communication; (3) co-identified priority research foci. A second meeting which included a new set of government agencies (EPA) confirmed the prioritisation of (1) fisheries and socio-economic issues; and (2) human rights, legal and governance issues surrounding the blue economy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
| Description | GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub collaborated with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and co-organised a series of panels for the GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment, Hub researchers Taryn Pereira and Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered presentations. In 2023, the School ran from 11-15 September and examined the themes of transformative governance, (just) transition and the many dimensions of 'change' that enhance or threaten human rights and the environment. The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School, with ongoing support from the Hub. During the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School 2023, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on the 11th to 14th September 2023. 1. "Ocean and human health: transitioning and transforming to an era of interdisciplinary competencies," 11 September 2023. 2. "The transformative role of children's rights to a healthy ocean," 12 September 2023. 3. "Transforming ocean conservation and sustainable use: rethinking blue economies in terms of environmental and socio-cultural justice," 13 September 2023. 4. "Gender-transformative approaches to environmental protection: Women, Girls & the Ocean," 14 September 2023. 5. "Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research," 14 September 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-panels-for-the-2023-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school-for-human-... |
| Description | Gender workshop at Strathclyde |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub organised a Gender workshop that took place at the University of Strathclyde from 3-7 July 2023. The workshop was attended by hub researchers including Dr Philile Mbatha, Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), Martha Jonas, Dr Sirkka Tshiningayamwe (University of Namibia, Namibia) and Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Ghana: Awareness creation on human rights issues for women in small scale fisheries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The workshop objective was to inform, engage and collate the views of women fishers from Apam and Winneba on the challenges of the fisheries sector through a human rights lens and give them the platform to share their experiences and challenges. It was organised on 16th November 2021 in Winneba, the Central Region of Ghana. The workshop was attended by over one hundred (100) people comprising forty-six (46) women mobilised from Winneba and Apam, both coastal communities in the Central Region of Ghana, who were the main target participants of the workshop. Other participants included six (6) One Ocean Hub staff, five (5) main facilitators, three (3) supporting facilitators, students on the Hub project, representatives of media houses and some staff of the University of Education in Winneba who were present to support the workshop in diverse ways including organisation of participants and the interpretation. The workshop was facilitated mainly by representatives of three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) including Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and Environmental Justice Foundation and two government agencies including the Fisheries Commission and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). A number of media organisations were present to cover the event at the workshop and publish it. The media organisation present were Joy News/TV, TV3 news network and other local media Houses in Winneba. The workshop strengthened the Hub partnerships with community groups and non-governmental organisations that participated. The inclusion of the Ghana Commission on Human Rights was a noteworthy addition as in the past they were usually not included in discussions on fisheries management. Subsequent workshops are planned for other One Ocean Hub study regions in Ghana |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/opening-a-platform-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana/ |
| Description | Ghana: Community Fieldwork: Consultation; Focus Group Discussions; In-depth Interviews |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Fieldwork was conducted in 4 coastal regions of Ghana (Western Region; Central Regions; Greater Accra; Volta) through focus groups and in-depth interviews with community members on livelihoods in context of climate change impacts, fisheries economics and fishstock decline. The data is will be used to inform socio-economic layers of end-to-end ecosystem modelling, research on supplementary livelihoods, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, customary law. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/the-nexus-between-tangible-and-intangible-cultural-heritage-and-ocean-govern... |
| Description | Global Coalition on the Human Right to a Healthy Environment, of which the Hub is part, honoured with the 2023 UN Human Rights Prize |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Global Coalition of over 1350 civil society organisations, Indigenous peoples, social movements and local communities for the universal recognition of everyone's human right to a healthy environment, of which the One Ocean Hub is part, has been awarded the United Nations Human Rights Prize 2023. The UN Human Rights Prize is a prize awarded only every five years, and is based on a UN General Assembly resolution. It is the first time ever, that this prize is given to a global partnership. The Prize will be bestowed in New York on 10 December 2023, which also marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/global-coalition-on-the-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-of-which-the-hu... |
| Description | Green Connections: Who Stole Our Oceans Tribunal |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Green Connection's Oceans Tribunal was held on 21 and 22 September. The Oceans Tribunal is part of the Green Connections "Who Stole Our Oceans?" campaign, and was an opportunity for small-scale fishers and others with oceanic socio-cultural connections to present to a jury panel their concerns around oil and gas exploration in our oceans, and what this will mean for their livelihoods, environment, culture and sacred relationships with the ocean. One Ocean Hub researchers from the Coastal Justice Network attended the event and launched Lalela uLwandle Illustrated Short Film (Reported under Artistic Output) as part of the event. The film was broadcast live during the tribunal and is hosted on the Green Connections website, and has been shared through small scale fishers networks across South Africa. The live broadcast reached 1231 people, and the video has been viewed on Youtube over 2000 times: https://thegreenconnection.org.za/opposing-oil-and-gas-exploration/ The Who Stole Our Oceans campaign is an environmental and social justice campaign launched by The Green Connection in 2020, in a bid to protect our oceans for future generations, with a particular emphasis on opposing offshore oil and gas exploration, is currently underway. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-09-29-the-true-custodians-of-our-seas-who-is-stealing-s... |
| Description | Ground Up article on West Coast environmental activists reaching an agreement with mining companies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Merle Sowman presented on "Prospecting and Mining on the West Coast of SA -issues, impacts and action needed" as part of five presentations to government and NGOs on Impacts of coastal and marine mining on communities and the environment on the West Coast of South Africa. 9 March- Coastal Provincial Committee of Western Cape 22 April - Environmental Law Association of South Africa 11 May-Environmental Management Committee (Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Western Cape Government) 20 September - Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning , Western Cape Provincial Government. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Highlighting marine cultural heritage for equitable ocean management processes |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub early career researchers Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) presented at a webinar on behalf of herself and Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) at the South African Heritage Resources Agency Heritage Week in September 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeCSX2DzFi0 |
| Description | History was made at a capacity building offshore cruise that executed the deepest lander dive in South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A diverse team of scientists recently returned from a Hub funded month-long offshore expedition that advanced the capacity, technology, and multidisciplinary knowledge of early-career researchers and postgraduate students from South Africa and Namibia for the benefit of better management of South Africa's oceans. The main aims of this research cruise were for to develop skills in offshore research, collect data to support their studies and to build the research teams that we need to solve the changes associated with developing a sustainable oceans economy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/dedicated-cruise-deepens-offshore-research-capacity-in-south-africa/ |
| Description | How COP28 failed the world's small islands |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | "While there were encouraging moments at COP28, the outcome failed to provide a scientifically grounded and equitable blueprint for keeping the Paris agreement's goal alive. For SIDS (Small Island Developing States), the delivery of this mandate was a red line for the 2023 climate negotiations. However, SIDS have not put their eggs solely in the basket of the UN climate negotiations" Hub researcher Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) writes in the Conversation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/how-cop28-failed-the-worlds-small-islands-219938 |
| Description | How can national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms support the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | How are national and international human rights actors using, and might use in future use, their respective mandates to promote and protect the rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities? As part of our partnerships for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, on 1 - 2 February 2023, we co-organised with the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) a dialogue series composed of two webinars exploring how national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in small-scale fishing communities. The dialogue series were attended by small-scale fishers, representatives of national human rights institutions; NGOs (such as Hen Mpoano and Legal Resources Centre, South Africa), and UN bodies, (such as Michael Windfuhr of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Dorothy Estrada-Tanck, Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls; and Michael Fakhri, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food). The One Ocean Hub is working together with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the FAO, the UNOHCHR and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food in co-organising a series of in-person and hybrid events for the closing celebration of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture on 27 - 31 March 2023 in Rome, Italy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-me... |
| Description | Hub Led Panels for the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and UNEP Summer/Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment (20-28 June 2022) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | "In June 2022, the Hub co-developed with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and UNEP six panel events for the Summer/Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment (20-28 June 2022) that highlighted the theme 'Water - from Oceans to Taps'. 1.The Human Rights Dimensions of Ocean Crimes and Its Impacts on Small-Scale Fishers (20 June 2022). The event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sok7blfwM 2. Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus (21 June 2022). The event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w 3. Children's rights to a healthy climate, healthy freshwater and a healthy ocean (21June 2022). The event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w 4. Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders (Wednesday 22 June 2022). The event recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc&t=1664s 5. Protecting human rights of small-scale artisanal fishing actors and achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (23 June 2022). 6. Ocean Plastic and Ocean Waste (23 June 2022). Key messages and next steps from these panels are summarised into two separate blog posts. This first blog post focuses on small-scale fishers' rights as a contribution to the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-1-focus-on-small-scale-fishers/). The second blog post on the Hub's contribution to the 2022 Summer/Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment organized by UNEP and the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment focuses on key messages and next steps from panels on children rights to a healthy ocean, art and ocean defenders, and ocean plastics (https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/). Hub led panels at the GNHRE and UNEP Summer/Winter School was part of the Hub's contributions to the International Year or Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA). The Hub, FAO, and other partners such as Danish Institute for Human Rights have co-organised a series of events for the closing celebration of IYAFA in March 2023. " |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-... |
| Description | Hub early-career researcher delivers the first Climate Classroom dedicated to the ocean at COP28 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 13 December 2023, Hub's early-career researcher, Holly Niner (University of Plymouth, UK), delivered the first Climate Classroom dedicated to the ocean at Climate COP28. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-early-career-researcher-delivers-the-first-climate-classroom-dedicated-t... |
| Description | Hub early-career researchers shortlisted in the 'Heroes' category of the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The inter-disciplinary team of 37 Hub early-career researchers (ECRs) are recognised for their efforts in 'working on groundbreaking and innovative approaches towards the goal of inclusive and equitable ocean governance, whereby people and the environment can flourish.' "The Hub's ECRs combine passion and creativity with academic rigour in their research, using innovative participatory methods that often transcend disciplines. The ECRs are now leading integration efforts across the Hub, to ensure better understanding of our transferable findings and methods across academic disciplines" Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) says. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-early-career-researchers-shortlisted-in-the-heroes-category-of-the-scott... |
| Description | Hub early-career researchers' article on fisheries law wins Award |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The 'Associazione di Consulenza in Diritto del Mare' (ASCOMARE) is pleased to present its second volume of its Yearbook on the Law of the Sea (YLoS). This volume focuses on fisheries and the law of the sea in the Anthropocene Era. The book aims to provide an influential legal viewpoint on the way the corpus of rules of international law, including those governing maritime spaces and activities, addresses the multi-level and integrated nature of fisheries-related problems and opportunities in the Anthropocene era. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://ascomare.com/ylos-volume-2/ |
| Description | Hub highlights connections between art, culture, heritage and ocean governance at a UNDP Archipelagic and Island States event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers, Prof Stuart Jeffrey and early-career researcher Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art) were invited speakers at the conference, "Archipelagic and Island States Blue Innovation Solutions: Ignite the Blue.", The event was co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, and was held in Glasgow 6-7 November 2023. The AIS Forum is a platform that brings together 51 archipelagic and island nations to collectively address usage of ocean resources for sustainable economic growth, climate change resiliency, ocean pollution elimination, emergency management, and the enhancement of sustainable fisheries. The event was attended by over 100 participants including students, academics, government officials and representatives of UNDP. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-highlights-connections-between-art-culture-heritage-and-ocean-governance... |
| Description | Hub researchers selected as experts of the UN regular process on the marine environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers Dr Senia Febrica (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh, UK), Prof Jeremy Hills (University of the South Pacific, Fiji) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) have been selected as members of the Pool of Experts of the UN Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (Regular Process) in October 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-selected-as-experts-of-the-un-regular-process-on-the-marine-... |
| Description | Hub's Participation at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon Portugal |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | "UN Ocean Conference 2022, co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya, was the One Ocean Hub's first participation in UN Ocean Conference. The Hub shared our latest research findings before and during the UN Ocean Conference (27 June-1 July 2022, Lisbon Portugal) on the theme of 'Scaling up Ocean Action Based on Science and Innovation for the Implementation of Goal 14: Stocktaking, Partnerships and Solutions'. The Hub has contributed and co-hosted ten in-person, virtual, and hybrid events on 27th June - 1st July 2022. Official programme The Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, has been invited to: 1. Act as lead discussant at the Interactive dialogue 4 "Making fisheries sustainable and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets" (Wed 29 June, 15:00-18:00 Lisbon time) in the Tejo Hall of the Conference venue. For further information, see here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/making-fisheries-sustainable-and-providing-access-small-scale-artisanal-fishers-marine; and to watch the recording see here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k18/k185g5nkrg 2. Participate in an informal dialogue with the President of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Abdulla Shahid, on "Ensuring greater representation of women in science and bridging Indigenous female knowledge" on Sunday 26 June (16:30- 17:30) at the National Geographic Pristine Seas Lounge, Portuguese Pavilion (the public section of the Ocean Conference). The Hub-led event: The Hub-led in-person side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' was held on 28th June 2022, 13:00-15:00 Lisbon time at Alfama room, Tivoli Oriente Hotel (across the street from the Conference Blue Zone). See here:https://oneoceanhub.org/the-future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-for-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue-economies/; and here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/future-and-ocean-we-all-want-inclusion-and-integration-strong-sustainable-and-equitable-blue Partners' events: The Hub has also partnered with other organizations in the following events: 1. Scaling up Ocean Action with Empowerment of SIDS Youth, Awareness Raising and Citizenship Engagement (led by Peace Boat), 27th June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). See here: https://peaceboat.org/english/news/un-ocean-conference_sideevent. 2. Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries (led by FAO), 27th June 2022. Side event room 1 (Altice Arena). For more information see here: https://www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/news-and-events/detail/en/c/1529971/ 3. Sunset Reception Onboard: High-Level Event for Ocean and Climate Action (in partnership with Peace Boat and Blue Planet Alliance), 27th June 2022 Venue: WaterX - Powering Nautical Events, Doca Alcântara. See here: https://bit.ly/UNOcean-Reception-June27 4. From Ocean Knowledge to Action: Developing Capacity to Create a Sustainable Ocean Economy: by UNITAR in collaboration with UNCTAD and IOI), 30th June, Blue Zone, 11.30 to 12.45 Lisbon time, Room 1 (Altice Arena). See here: https://unctad.org/meeting/2022-united-nations-ocean-conference-side-event-ocean-knowledge-action-developing-capacity 5. Creating a Blue Society: Innovative solutions for sustainable ocean and coastal management action (led by Global Ocean Forum). Blue Zone, 30th June, 10:00-11:15 Lisbon time, Side event room 2 (Altice Arena). See here: https://globaloceanforum.com/ 6. Leveraging Human Rights and Gender Equity to Achieve SDG 14 (led by the Danish Institute for Human Rights, also with FAO), 1st July at 14:30-15:54 Lisbon time. Event room 1, Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal. See here: https://www.humanrights.dk/promoting-human-rights-fisheries-aquaculture 7. Rights-Based Approaches to Marine Conservation, Shedding Light on Oceans led by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, with UN Environment Programme and Youth for Oceans) 1st July 2022, 1:00-2:30pm Lisbon time (virtually). For more information, see event details here: https://stopthesame.my.canva.site/rights-and-oceans; and recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A11SrqMT2aI. The Hub also participated in three partner events listed below. 1. Film Session - On 28th June, 19.00-21.00 Lisbon time we shared 'Ocean and Women' developed by the One Ocean Hub at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento - Ciência Viva nº1 Largo José Mariano Gago, 1990-073 Lisbon Portugal (in partnership with United by the Sea). See here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bilhetes-united-by-the-sea-19h-21h-film-session-375037746997. 2. the networking event organized by Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI) and the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) "Deep-Sea Breather" 15:00-17:00 Lisbon time, 29th June. 3. the Ocean Decade Forum organised by the IOC UNESCO on Thursday 30th June 2022 (14.30 - 17.00 Lisbon time) in the Green Zone of the UN Ocean Conference, at the Ciencia Viva Auditorium. The Hub participations at various UNOC events mentioned above have paved the way for further collaborations between the Hub and various organisations such as the Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Danish Institute for Human Rights, Blue Ventures, Peace Boat and Oceanic Global during Climate COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh in November 2022 and the closing celebration of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in March 2023. " |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-un-ocean-conference-and-the-need-to-scale-up-ocean-action-... |
| Description | Hub's films on people's cultural connections with the ocean and coast screened at the Peace Boat Ocean Film Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub's early-career researchers Mia Strand and Nina Rivers had been working on two films that were screened during the Peace Boat live and virtual Ocean Film Festival. The films titled "Ocean Connections Project Video" and "Ocean Connections: A Virtual Multimedia Exhibition" highlight the importance of indigenous and local knowledge in terms of how we use and care for oceans and coasts. The two films form part of a PhD project led by Mia Strand and a postdoctoral project led by Nina Rivers, which both fall under the Algoa Bay Project. Working with indigenous and local knowledge holders in Algoa Bay in South Africa, this project explores ways of using photography and storytelling to convey peoples' personal relationship with the ocean. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-499UAZC3d0 |
| Description | Human Rights Defenders Under Siege: Annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes, Bilbao Spain, 7-9 September 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub director Elisa Morgera, Dr Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde, UK) and SA country co-director Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) attended the annual Network Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes that was held on September 7-9, 2023. Taryn Pereira presented a paper on the progress of her PhD titled: 'Reframing 'risk' in collaborations between academics and environmental human rights defenders - reflections from the One Ocean Hub, South Africa.' This paper reflected on the experiences of transdisciplinary scholar-activists working in support of small-scale fishers and other ocean defenders in South Africa; with a particular focus on the opportunities and tensions they have had to navigate within their universities, as they carried out this work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-opportunities-and-tensions-in-academic-solidarity-practices-wi... |
| Description | Human Rights Issues of Women in Small-Scale Fisheries in Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Bola Erinosho (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) spoke at these workshops co-organised by the Hub, Hen Mpoano & Asaasepa Foundation, held in Greater Accra and Western regions, March and May 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Human rights workshop for women in Small Scale Fisheries (SSF) in Greater Accra Region of Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In May 2023, the Hub team based at the University Cape Coast, Ghana organised a Human rights workshop for women in Small Scale Fisheries (SSF) in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Hub researcher Harrison Golo (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) attended and delivered a presentation during the workshop. In this workshop consultants and speakers from Hen Mpoano and Environmental Justice Foundation educated participants on their human rights. Participants also had the opportunity to benefit from the services of the legal team through the Law Clinic. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-ari... |
| Description | I took my Ancestors to the United Nations, and shared why storytelling is the sacred medicine ocean governance needs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Mpume Mthombeni reflects on speaking to the UN |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/i-took-my-ancestors-to-the-united-nations-and-shared-why-storytelling-is-the... |
| Description | IOI Ocean Governance Course in Cape Town |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Jackie Sunded (University of Cape Town, South Africa) presented on Small-scale Fisheries in Africa at the International Ocean Institute (IOI) Ocean Governance Course that took place from the 4 - 29 September 2023. This annual course was offered by IOI-SA in collaboration with IOI Headquarters and IOI-SA partner institutions: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | IPBES Transformative Change Assessment Second Authors Meeting in Costa Rica |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | IPBES Transformative Change Assessment second author's meeting was held from 22-26 May 2023 at Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE) in Turrialba, Costa Rica and it was followed by the first meeting to advance the summary for policymakers. Hub researcher Lynne Shannon (University of Cape Town, South Africa) was the coordinating lead author for the second chapter 2 titled Visions of a Sustainable World - for Nature and People. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | IYAFA closing workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub co-organised a series of events for IYAFA Closing in Rome with the FAO, OHCHR, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights on 29-31 March 2023. This workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard featured a panel of hub researchers: Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University/One Ocean Hub), Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University/One Ocean Hub/Coastal Justice Network), Philile Mbatha (University of Cape Town/One Ocean Hub/Coastal Justice Network), Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University/One Ocean Hub/Coastal Justice Network), Buhle Frances (Rhodes University/ One Ocean Hub/Coastal Justice Network), Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology/One Ocean Hub/Coastal Justice Network) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Impact story: Research and action across scales - Expanding support for small-scale fishers as ocean defenders |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | uman rights defenders (EHRDs) draw attention to the links between unsustainable environmental decisions and negative impacts on human rights. The Hub recognises the key role of EHRDs in ocean governance and seeks to provide support at multiple levels to strengthen their protection and acknowledge their value. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Impact-story-3b_Scales-RESEARCH-AND-ACTION-ACROSS... |
| Description | Impact story: Research that supports livelihoods and cultural rights of women in small-scale fishing communities in South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We have distilled learning from the research conducted over the past three years by early-career researcher Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa), who has been working with women in small-scale fishing (SSF) communities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. She is undertaking pioneering collaborative research at the nexus of environmental justice, gender equality, ocean livelihoods, and inclusivity in ocean-related decision-making processes. Through innovative and flexible funding to establish ocean economy-diversification projects, SSF women established sewing groups and obtained registration as a co-operative. These are now seeking access to government support, which may enable the continuation of these enterprises after Hub funding. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Impact-Story_Eastern-Cape_12.10.23.pdf |
| Description | Including blue economies in human rights processes on just transitions and foreign investment protection |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Human rights issues in the context of extractive industries, transitions to net-zero emission futures, and foreign investment are being investigated by different UN bodies. The Hub made two submissions to ensure that sufficient attention is also paid, in this connection, to negative human rights impacts in the context of blue economies. The first was directed to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, and the other to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the environment, in partnership with Hub partner International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). The two submissions address complementary research findings and explore their legal relevance from the perspective of the international protection of human rights. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-in-human-rights-processes-on-just-transitions-and-f... |
| Description | Including blue economies into the UN call for inputs on extractives and human rights |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub director Elisa Morgera contributed to the call for inputs on "Extractive Sector, Just Transition and Human Rights" issued by the UN Working Group on business and human rights. The call is meant to contribute to a report providing guidance to States, enterprises and other stakeholders on how to best design and implement just, inclusive and rights-based energy transition programmes and investments. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/including-blue-economies-into-the-un-call-for-inputs-on-extractives-and-huma... |
| Description | Information session: Marine spatial biodiversity priorities as an input into Marine Spatial Planning |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Government of South Africa hosted this Information session on marine spatial biodiversity priorities to inform marine spatial planning. The One Ocean Hub Co-Director Professor Kerry Sink presented at the event in her capacity at South Africa's National Biodiversity Institute. Other Hub researchers attended the event and provided inputs to the discussion and dialogue on the extent and nature of public participation and consultation in marine spatial planning processes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Daniela Diz (Strathclyde) attended the second session of the Intergovernmental Conference to negotiate a new legally binding instrument under the law of the sea convention on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Dr Diz contributed expertise to delegates and negotiators in the field of area-based management tools and environmental impact assessments. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.un.org/bbnj/ |
| Description | International Expert Meeting on Human Rights and Fisheries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited by the Danish Institute for Human Rights as a speaker at the two-day International Expert Meeting on Human Rights and Fisheries, which took place on 2-3 November 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting brought together international agencies, key UN human rights mechanisms, representatives of fishers and fishing-dependent communities, and experts within the field of human rights and sustainable fisheries. The purpose of the meeting was to take stock of developments over the last five years on human rights issues affecting fishing-dependent communities, as well as facilitate knowledge-sharing and collective learning between key actors, and explore emerging opportunities for addressing these issues in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | International Ocean Defenders group meeting - an online meeting of international collaborators from the Ocean Defenders Project to discuss project updates and to plan a collaborative paper, 25 October 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In August 2023, Hub researcher Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) attended a meeting which was organised by the International Ocean Defenders group. The Ocean Defenders Project" receives funding from the Oak Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy of the International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN CEESP), and is a collaboration with the Coastal Renewal Society. Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira has been a collaborator of the Ocean Defenders Project (https://oceandefendersproject.org/) since 2022, and has contributed a case study about ocean defending small scale fishers in South Africa (https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oceandefendersproject.org/case-study/no-to-seismic-surveys/ |
| Description | International Ocean Institute-South Africa Ocean Governance Training: Policy, Law and Management in the Western Indian Ocean |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One of One Ocean Hub's early career researchers, Dr Kirsty McQuaid, presented a lecture on seabed mining, with material relevant both to areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) and national waters. The number of participants was approximately 20.The primary audience was government officials from West African countries. Through lecturing for this course Dr McQuaid has developed a relationship with the course leader, and through this connection was later in 2021 asked to review a report for the STRONG High Seas project. The STRONG High Seas (Strengthening Regional Ocean Governance for the High Seas) project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). It focusses on conducting scientific assessments and supporting dialogue to contribute to the development of effective frameworks and approaches for ocean governance in the Southeast Pacific and Southeast Atlantic regions, as well as contributing to the ongoing negotiations for a global legally binding treaty on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) conducted under the United Nations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | International Seabed Authority Workshop on Enhancing Image-based Biodiversity Assessments to Advance Deep-Sea Taxonomy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One ocean Hub early career researcher, Dr Kirsty McQuaid, presented the One Ocean Hub funded SMarTaR-ID project, which aims to create a global standardised marine taxonomy reference image database at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) workshop The audience of this event was stakeholders of the ISA involved in image-based analysis, including members of academia, governments, international organisations and civil society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Ocean defenders webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) delivered a presentation at the IUCN Ocean Defenders online webinar, which took place on 29 November and aimed to bring greater visibility to the plight of Ocean Defenders worldwide. Ocean Defenders in this context include individuals, groups, and communities of small-scale fishers and Indigenous Peoples who are actively protecting the marine environment and human rights. Unfortunately, ocean defenders are often marginalized, criminalized, threatened, and even murdered for their efforts to safeguard the ocean. This webinar explored the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally, and shed light on the potential avenues through which allies and organizations can provide support and protect ocean defenders. Speakers at the event include Hub researcher Taryn Pereira and the following experts: Nathan Bennett (Global Oceans Lead Scientist, WWF & Chair, People and the Ocean Specialist Group, IUCN) David Boyd (UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment & University of British Columbia) Philippe Le Billon (School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia) Rocio Lopez de La Lama (School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia) Paula Satizabal (Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, Germany) Samiya Selim (Center for Sustainable Development, University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh) Francisco Araos (Antropologia de la Conservación, Universidad de Los Lagos, Chile) Speakers presented an overview of the Ocean Defenders Project, followed by global case studies on Ocean Defenders, discussed potential strategies for effective support, and the ocean defenders themselves shared their lived experiences. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://engage.iucn.org/group/iucn-commission-environmental-economic-and-social-policy-2021-2025/eve... |
| Description | International human rights and the environment: what do they mean for the mandate of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera delivered a training session on "International human rights and the environment: what do they mean for the mandate of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO?)" on 30th March-1st April 2021, for legal officers from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). During the training Morgera emphasised the need to support national legal provisions on the human rights of indigenous peoples, small-scale fishers and rural women in specific natural resource sectors, to clarify the obligations of public authorities involved in natural resource development and ensure access to justice. She also stressed the importance of ensuring the consideration of these rights in the context of environmental impact assessments, public consultations, and benefit-sharing agreements as part of a partnership-building process. This was a two-part training co-delivered with Prof John Knox, Wake Forest University School of Law, former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment (who prepared the 2018 UN Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment). Prof Knox and Prof Morgera will now write a legal study for FAO to capture the key contents of the virtual training sessions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This event that the Hub organised during the UN World Oceans Week was titled 'International premiere of the animation "Indlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey" - When indigenous and scientific knowledge work in solidarity towards inclusive ocean decision making'. Indlela Yokuphila is a transdisciplinary ocean research project that brought together a range of artists, traditional healers, marine sociologists, and deep-sea marine ecologists to collaborate on a more holistic alternative to ocean mapping and decision making. According to the ancestral beliefs of the isiZulu people, the deep sea is a resting place of ancestors, where, after death, the soul travels to, through streams, rivers, estuaries, and eventually into the sea. The screening was followed by a discussion on lessons learnt for innovative approaches to inclusivity of different knowledge systems in ocean research, as well as human rights protection and non-discrimination in ocean governance. Indlela Yokuphila was produced by the Empatheatre team of the One Ocean Hub in association with Shells & Spells. It was led by animator/director Marc Moynihan, Empatheatre co-founders Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) and award-winning performer and theatre-maker Mpume Mthombeni and composer Braam Du Toit. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Interview for an article 'From Campus to Coast' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub early career researcher Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh) was interviewed in an article 'From Campus to Coast' published by the , University of Edinburgh Alumni Magazine on 28 April 2021. This article provide oportunities for alumni of the University of Edinburgh and general public to understand more about deep-sea ecosystems, and what changes to this ecosystems mean for marine life, for the planet, and for society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://spark.adobe.com/page/cJVt4uj3SwAFg/?fbclid=IwAR12ona8T9otkuhRWZcD_4MeKzBAnjQBMX-wWz1kizM9Wtb... |
| Description | Interview: Assessing the feasibility and modalities of setting up a new EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on international ocean governance. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Prof Elisa Morgera was interviewed as part of the preparations of a study commissioned by the European Commission, DG MARE (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), which explores the need for further work in the context of the EU's partnership with Africa to develop a joint ocean governance agenda, including the development of sustainable fisheries and blue economy. The study aims in particular at assessing the feasibility and modalities of setting up a new EU-Africa Task Force for policy cooperation and dialogue on international ocean governance. Regions Involved: Europe; Africa Organisations involved: European Commission (DG MARE) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Invitated to present at the Rock and Surf Super Pro League (Rasspl) Africa international prize giving |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Warren Potts presented research on best catch and release fishing practices and climate change research in Namibia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | http://www.fishthesea.co.za/rasspl/info.htm |
| Description | Invited keynote speaker at the 4th International Conference on Community Ecology (ComEc 2023) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Lynne Shannon (University of Cape Town, South Africa) was invited to be a keynote speaker at the 4th International Conference on Community Ecology (ComEc 2023) with a presentation titled "From species to ecosystems: exploring community-based indicators as the missing link in marine assessments" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Invited speaker at the 4th HIFMB Symposium on Functional Marine Biodiversity Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Lynne Shannon (Unversity of Cape Town) was invited to chair a session at the 4th Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) Symposium on Functional Marine Biodiversity Conference titled: Approaches to decision making and ecosystem management. This session explored different approaches to decision-making (and possibly decision support tools) and challenges and approaches and how they can be highlighted from multiple disciplines and perspectives. The idea was to have speakers working in research (different disciplines, e.g. modelling, governance, economics), at the science-policy interface and as practitioners. Her presentation was titled "How to move local ecosystem research into the global biodiversity science-policy arena, and vice versa". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://hifmb.de/symposium23/#information |
| Description | Isimangaliso Estuary Management Plan Review meeting titled: "Concerns regarding the Isimangaliso Estuary Management Plan Review and its impact on the rights of small-scale fishers and customary fishing rights holders" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers Philile Mbatha and Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa) were invited to present at the iSimangaliso Explore Marine Plans (EMP) meeting together with Wilmien Wicomb (Legal Resources Centre), Lindani Ngubane, and Carmen Mannarino. The meeting took place on 4 July 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E1P1k1qlwRTCoIq4aTa85KhpuRK0HpqY/view |
| Description | Keynote at Marine Regions Forum, 7-9 November, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Dr Kerry Sink (South African National Biodiversity Institute & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) was invited to be a keynote speaker at the Marine Regions Forum organised in partnership with the Nairobi Convention Secretariat and regional partners. Her presentation focused on co-design and presented in both a Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction session and a Deepsea Mining Session where she shared lessons drawn from multiple projects including the One Ocean Hub. Kerry was involved in three sessions namely - From science to policy and society: Co-designing sustainable blue economic development in the framework of the Ocean Decade, and - Negotiations on deep-sea mining: Where do we stand? and - Conservation and sustainable use of high seas biodiversity: What's at stake in the Western Indian Ocean? |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Know Your Bay, public presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "The next Know Your Bay will be about the Marine Spatial Plan for Algoa Bay and will take place at Bayworld, Gqeberha (South Africa) on the 24th August. We will have two presentations by researchers from Nelson Mandela University: Dr Nina Rivers (Hub postdoc): "Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in South Africa: What, Why, Who and How?" will cover the What and Why: broad overview of what MSP is and use to South Africa the Who: is leading it at national level and stakeholders; and the How: update on the national process so far and link to Algoa Bay Project" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://sancor.nrf.ac.za/Documents/24Aug2022_KnowYourBay.pdf |
| Description | KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum, SDCEA and the Urban Futures Centre presents KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Fisher Forum Meeting 24 & 25 April 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, South Africa) attended the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum (KZNSFF), in partnership with South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and the Urban Futures Centre, which took place from the 24th and 25th of April 2023. The workshop was held at the Coastlands Hotel and Conference Venue in Musgrave, Durban, with approximately forty people in attendance over the two-day period. Participants included small-scale fishers (SSFs) from local communities, subsistence fishers who have not been recognised as SSFs, civil society and university researchers (who only joined the fishers on the second day). Fishers came from various KwaZulu-Natal areas; including Richards Bay, Tugela. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Lalela Ulwandle - Empatheatre Tour SOUTH AFRICA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Empatheatre is a trangressive approach to co-production of research. The process produces a theatrical performance that is based on interviews with research subjects. Their perspectives are then reflected to them and to new audiences through the play. After the play, a discussion is held to recieve audiences' impressions and promts new evidence. The Hub's play, Lalela Ulwandle, developed from initial interviws the first year seeks to gather information about ocean use, ocean heritage and affective connections to the sea that promote wellbeing. The play toured six towns, with a total of 16 performances and 16 post-show discussions and tribunals. On tour we had a total of 349 participants sit with us through the show and tribunals, and in Durban we had a total of 398 participants. Over the two weeks we reached a total of 747 participants in the shows directly. Some of the repeat participants included officials involvled in environmental impact assessments who expressed an interest in having the play included in processes for communicating potential impacts of marine and coastal developments on coastal communities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.iol.co.za/mercury/goodlife/listen-to-the-sea-33807711 |
| Description | Lalela Ulwandle - Media - Print or Online |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A total of 17 articles in print were identified and according to a report conducted by Pear Africa, 4 print media for Lalela reached 451,002 people, with an estimated publicity value of R547,149,65. We had 4 online articles with a reach of 425,162, with an estimated publicity value of R18,720.00 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | http://news.artsmart.co.za/2019/10/empatheatre-presents-lalela-ulwandle.html |
| Description | Lalela Ulwandle - Media- Broadcast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | One radio broadcast interview with Neil Coppen and Rory Booth which reached 171000 people with an estimated publicity value of R67,638.06. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Launch of "Through the Ocean's Lens": Inaugural Wearable Art Show at the Pacific Crown Hotel, Solomon Islands |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Wearable artworks produced through "Through the Ocean's Lens" project were presented at wearable art show at the Pacific Crown Hotel, Solomon Islands on 13 November 2022. The Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands was funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/ASIICF |
| Description | Launch of Netai en Namou Toc by the Erromango Cultural Association |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | On 26 July 2022, the Erromango Cultural Association, Vanuatu launched Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean), at the Vanuatu Cultural Centre Erromango Cultural Association. Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) is a newly published illustrated children's book produced by the Erromango Cultural Association in collaboration with One Ocean Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund. The book harnesses the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Erromango, a southern island of Vanuatu, to record, preserve and promote indigenous knowledge, custom stories and oral histories relating to the ocean. The book was recently presented at Climate COP27, Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion (Blue Zone) in Sharm-el Sheik, Egypt in November 2022. The event at the Climate COP27 Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion was attended by Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, the Vanuatu's Minister of Climate Change, academia, and civil society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-with-indigenous-knowledge-through-art-based-research-netai-en-nam... |
| Description | Launch of Netai en Namou Toc by the Erromango Cultural Association with ten chiefs from the Erromango Natmonuk Simanlou Island Council of Chiefs Port Vila Erromango Cultural Association |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | "On 21 Aug 2022, the Erromango Cultural Association launched Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean), a newly published illustrated children's book produced by the Erromango Cultural Association, with ten chiefs from the Erromango Natmonuk Simanlou Island Council of Chiefs, Port Vila, Erromango Cultural Association. Netai en Namou Toc is supported by the One Ocean Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund, an innovative programme of community-led art projects that explore emotional connections to the ocean. A key part of the broader inter- and trans-disciplinary work across the Hub, DEEP Fund projects represent a transformative research approach to understand and convey the social, cultural and spiritual meanings of these connections. " |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-with-indigenous-knowledge-through-art-based-research-netai-en-nam... |
| Description | Launching of Maame Water and the Apam Youth Youtube |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In Ghana, Straight Family Entertainment has convened a collective of marginalised yet highly creative youth to realise the project Maama Water and the Apam Youth. Conceived in response to the tragic death of 12 children who drowned in the sea off Apam in March 2021, the project explores the legend of Maame Water - a spirit variously regarded as a sea goddess, mother of the ocean and African mermaid. The Collective - consisting of young musicians, poets, designers and producers - is examining relationships between Ghanaian folklore and the ocean that will result in the production of a song recorded in local languages and an associated video. Engaging with traditional knowledge holders, community elders and area council members, the sharing of intergenerational knowledge about customary practices and traditional rites is a key feature of the project. The conventions of African story-telling are adopted to record narratives that reveal the history, significance and relevance of Maame Water. In November 2022 the recording of Maame Water and the Apam Youth was launched. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0NHoagk-U |
| Description | Launching of a documentary film titled "Cocooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers" - Youtube |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 31 August 2022 the One Ocean Hub launched a documentary film titled "Cocooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers" at the Hub's YouTube channel. Cocooned in Harmony, a documentary film by Dr Eric Debrah Otchere (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), details how the songs of indigenous Ghanaian artisanal fisher-folk serve multiple purposes, ranging from providing reference points for coordinated activity to containing insights into issues of identity, power/inequality, agency, gender, and emotional connections to the ocean, among others. The documentary shows how through music, fishermen create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice. The film has been screened within local communities in Ghana, so a short video of the community screenings has also been produced. A short video of community screening can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1130s |
| Description | Legal protection of carbon sinks in the fight against climate change: interactions between ecosystem protection and human rights |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), was invited to present at a research workshop entitled 'Legal protection of carbon sinks in the fight against climate change: interactions between ecosystem protection and human rights' which took place on 4-5 December 2023. The event was organised by the University College Dublin, Sutherland School of Law. The workshop intended to offer academics, including early-career researchers, as well as practitioners a forum to analyse and discuss the role played by carbon sinks in the legal response to climate change, while promoting synergies between climate change, ecosystem degradation and human rights violations. Elisa's presentation on 4 December 2023 focused on "International law and the protection of the ocean as a carbon sink" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Letter for urgent clarity on regulations applicable to small-scale fishers in Isimangaliso Wetland Park |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, South Africa) was part of the team that wrote a Letter for urgent clarity on regulations applicable to small-scale fishers in Isimangaliso Wetland Park. This letter was addressed to Mr Abongile Ngqongwa and Mr Phikilele Mbonambi of Small-Scale Fisheries Management, Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) on 12 June 2023, regarding clarity on regulations applicable to small-scale fishers in Isimangaliso Wetland Park. This was a follow-up letter to CEO Mr Bukhosini in November 2022 by Wilmien Wicomb of Legal Resources Centre. The draft Estuary Management Plans for Kosi Bay Estuary and Lake St Lucia released in April indicated that the Isimangaliso Wetland Authority is either not aware of the Regulations for Small-scale fisheries (DEFE 2016) or is intent on trying to limit small-scale fishers' rights. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Linking a healthy ocean with human health at the United Nations General Assembly |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | "One Ocean Hub participated in the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77). Hub researcher, Claire Lajaunie, organised two virtual sessions where Hub researchers participated. The sessions on "One Health and the Ocean" and "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems"" were held respectively on 19 and 23 September 2022. Focusing on the ocean-climate nexus, the Hub has highlighted the link between a healthy ocean and outcomes that recognise the connection between the health of people, animals, plants and their shared environment. Further to Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega's contribution to a session on health and ocean at COP26 where the common interest between ocean action and One Health was highlighted, the call at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) urged states to act on biodiversity protection and recognise the importance of conservation in protecting human health." The virtual sessions on tackled a broad range of issues from the national and global regulation of ocean biodiversity, coastal areas, to local community livelihoods and marine protected areas. A wide breath of speakers from NGOs, academia, decision-makers and international organisations participated at the session. Hub Director, Elisa Morgera, was invited to deliver a presentation on science and sustainable ocean action. The presentation focused on the need to consider human rights to science and its implications in marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The presentation highlighted how deep-sea science, the law of the sea and human rights all point in the same direction, namely, the need for effective conservation and sustainable approaches to ocean management that contribute to human well-being. Claire Lajaunie, together with Hub researcher Pierre Mazzega, co-presented a research review of One Health, the ocean and the SDGs. Highlighting the link between One Health and the ocean, the presentation expanded upon preliminary findings about disconnects between ocean health policies and One Health research in relation to the ocean. Hub Researcher, Jeremy Hills, (University of the South Pacific), also delivered a presentation on ocean-reliant communities in the Pacific and the connection of ocean action to health. The presentation emphasised that ocean action should involve approaches that integrate multiple dimensions not just in scale but in output. The presentation also highlighted how art and culture contributes to sustainable ocean governance, and human health. The need for integrating multiple dimensions in ocean action is supported by Hub research on art for the advancement human rights and the ocean. The Hub continues researching the link between the ocean, climate change and human rights and have identified this link in its key messages at COP27. The Hub has also produced evidence on the usefulness of cultural resources as part of relevant knowledge outputs towards transformative ocean action with ongoing research linking cultural heritage and customary laws. The ongoing research conducted by Claire Lajaunie and Pierre Mazzega on One Health and the ocean was also presented at the Fifth Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean, a tripartite event of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of a Joint Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development on 30 November 2022." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/ |
| Description | Living Landscapes Impact Network |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 8 and 9 February 2023, the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship (CAS) hosted the Living Landscapes in Action (LLA) Impact Network Meeting at the Old College House, University of Pretoria (UP). "The Living Landscape project aims to set up and develop an effective convivial conservation evidence campaign and coalition that builds the basis for a systemic redesign of the conservation sector in Southern Africa. Convivial Conservation is about combining the long-term care for biodiversity with social justice. It has been designed to overcome fundamental problems with mainstream forms of conservation in South Africa and globally: they ignore the colonial history of conservation, they separate people from biodiversity through an emphasis on fences and protected reserves; they embrace rather than challenge neoliberal economic models that maintain and often even worsen inequalities and injustices; and, ironically, they do all this while promoting forms of economic growth that disenfranchise people and worsen biodiversity loss." The meeting was the initial forum, bringing together a number of critical voices from across South Africa who engage in work that criticise mainstream conservation, point out injustices and think through alternatives that do justice to people and biodiversity. Dr Tafadzwa Mushonga, research fellow in the Centre's Environmental Humanities Programme, was one of the participants in this meeting. The programme included a closed workshop, where network members presented their ongoing work and discussions were facilitated on extending the network and its impact. Additionally, the meeting included two public lectures on each of the days. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.up.ac.za/centre-for-the-advancement-of-scholarship/news/post_3130107-cas-hosts-the-livin... |
| Description | Lynne Shannon spotlighted the Hub as a key example of ocean research initiative at European Marine Board workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | On 24 October 2022, Dr Lynne Shannon (University of Cape Town, South Africa) gave an invited talk during the "6th Navigating the Future" workshop of the European Marine Board. The workshop utilised a holistic perspective to highlight the science needed to achieve a broad societal understanding of the links between the ocean, the global earth system, society, and public policy. It aimed to show that knowledge about the ocean can take a central role in planning for a sustainable future. Dr Lynne Shannon's talk on the Ocean and Biodiversity spotlighted the One Ocean Hub as a key example of an ocean research initiative that builds connections between disciplines in achieving global biodiversity targets. This is by virtue of One Ocean Hub's transdisciplinary approach to knowledge co-production for sustainable ocean action (see also here, here and here). The European Marine Board later convened an expert group to write a foresight document on the marine science needed in the next 5 years - the "Navigating the Future Series," which is expected to be published in 2024. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/navigating-the-future/ |
| Description | MAPPING MARINE AND COASTAL SOCIO-CULTURAL USES IN ALGOA BAY, SOUTH AFRICA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub early-career researchers Dr Nina Rivers (University of Strathclyde/Nelson Mandela University), Dr Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University), masters student, Loyolah Chilo Nonyane (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Bernadette Snow (Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS)/Nelson Mandela University), piloted this use of participatory community mapping of culturally significant areas along the coastline in Algoa Bay. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-marine-and-coastal-socio-cultural-uses-in-algoa-bay-south-africa/ |
| Description | Magazine article "Erromangan culture and the sea: new illustrated community book celebrates indigenous knowledge," Sista |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "On 28 July 2022 a local magazine, Sista, in Vanuatu published an article titled 'Erromangan culture and the sea: new illustrated community book celebrates indigenous knowledge'. The article discussed about the launching of Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) book. Led by the Erromango Cultural Association in Vanuatu, the project foregrounds indigenous knowledge of the sea through an illustrated children's book. The community-led art-based research project Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) was showcased at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at Climate Conference COP27, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022. The project also resulted in paid employment and training and promotion of transdiciplinary research practice in Vanuatu." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.sista.com.vu/erromangan-culture-and-the-sea-new-illustrated-community-book-celebrates-in... |
| Description | Magazine article "Exploring Africa's Sacred Relationships with the Ocean" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 25 October 2022 a magazine in South Africa I.I.I published an article titled "Exploring Africa's Sacred Relationships with the Ocean." The article reported the Hub exhibition 'Our Ocean is Sacred, You can't Mine Heaven,' that was organised on 4 August - 20 November 2022. The event was led by Dr Dylan McGary, Rhodes University South Africa and funded by One Ocean Hub's DEEP Fund. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.three-mag.com/post/exploring-africa-s-sacred-relationship-with-the-ocean |
| Description | Mainstreaming ocean art and culture in ocean management |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 7th June 2022, the Hub organised the webinar titled "Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management" as part of our series of events for the UN World Oceans Day. More attention needs to be given to the human-cultural dimension of the ocean and its use. Recognising the role of ocean cultures and heritage is crucial in contributing to sustainable ocean governance. Professor Rose Boswell (Nelson Mandela University) reminded us about the enduring presence of human connections, human storytelling and relations to the sea that are often forgotten in discussion surrounding ocean governance at local, national, and international levels. At the event Professor Boswell highlighted the unique contributions of the Palgrave Handbook of Blue Heritage to sustainable ocean management, by analysing discourses about national priorities in Global South with regard to ocean management strategies and contemporary conceptualisation of blue heritage. The Handbook of Blue Heritage highlights that while nature is inherently valuable, humans hold diverse, intrinsic and cultural connections with the ocean and coasts. The book represents a novel interdisciplinary collaboration between One Ocean Hub and global researchers, involving more than 25 authors worldwide, including scholars from Australia, United States, Seychelles and India. It was edited by Professor Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), Dr David O'Kane (Max Planck Institute, Germany) and Professor Jeremy Hills, University of South Pacific (Fiji). The event also provided an opportunity to discuss key messages from Between Worlds, Professor Boswell's third poetry anthology which articulates the nuances of human relations with the sea and the imagined responses of both animate and inanimate marine worlds. Mpume Mthombeni, an award-winning performer, storyteller and theatre-maker from Umlazi, Durban and the co-founder of Empatheatre, read two poems titled 'Plastics' and 'The tide came' from Between Worlds. Between Worlds brought to our attention that due to 'climate crisis and declining ocean health, humans are increasingly in a liminal space between this world and imaginary, alien worlds to come' (Boswell, 2022). Drawing from her ethnographic writing, the poems by Professor Boswell raise the problems posed by climate change by 'foregrounding the centrality, beauty, and significance of the ocean, and of marine life to humanity' (Boswell, 2022). Chair: Mr Eden Charles, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Deputy Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority for the Enterprise and the Chairman of the Advisory Board of One Ocean Hub UKRI. Panellists 1. Professor Rose Boswell, Anthropology, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa 2. Dr Kira Erwin, Urban Sociology, Durban University of Technology, South Africa 3. Dr Eric Otchere, Arts, University Cape Coast, Ghana 4. Dr John Ansah, Sociology, University of Cape Coast, Ghana 5. Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, Sociology, University of Cape Coast, Ghana 6. Dr Bolanle Erinosho, University of Cape Coast, Ghana 7. Dr David Wilson, History, University of Strathclyde, UK 8. Ms Anthea Christoffels-Du Plessis, Law, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa 9. Dr Chelsea Koch, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO 10. Mr Symphorien Nihala Maniry Soa, Blue Ventures 11. Mr Paul Antion, Blue Ventures Read the blogpost that summarises the key messages that emerged from the event, in relation to: the importance of cultural connections to the ocean; the innovative potential of arts-based ocean research approaches; the linkages with customary laws of indigenous peoples and small-scale fisheries; and the relevance of cultural heritage, art and customary laws for ocean governance and ocean science here: https://oneoceanhub.org/mainstreaming-ocean-art-and-culture-in-ocean-management/ The Blue Heritage webinar brought together 83 researchers and representatives of non-governmental organisation and international organisation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYDqEuAdj0 |
| Description | Mapping for justice: towards an accessible, transparent database of mining along the West Coast of South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub (OOH) researchers, at the Environmental and Geographical Science Department of the University of Cape Town, have been monitoring, documenting, and mapping the many prospecting, mining, and oil and gas activities on the west coast of South Africa. Over the past two years this work has highlighted the rapid increase in the number of applications for prospecting and mining for heavy mineral sands and diamonds along the west coast of South Africa as well as applications for oil and gas exploration and production. These activities have raised significant concerns amongst coastal communities and their social partners. Researchers, NGOs, and communities were struggling to keep abreast of the many applications and calls for public input to the various environmental assessment and management processes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/mapping-for-justice-towards-an-accessible-transparent-database-of-mining-alo... |
| Description | Marine Biodiversity and Human Rights: Existing International Obligations and New Avenues for International Law-Making |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Prof Morgera delivered a virtual seminar on marine biodiversity and human rights as part of the "Law and Nature dialogues" webinar series organized by Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. The seminar was held on 30 June 2021. The seminar explored the still insufficiently-mapped inter-linkages between international obligations on the protection of marine biodiversity and international human rights law obligations, with a particular focus on the human rights of indigenous peoples, of small-scale fishing communities, of rural women, children, and environmental human rights defenders, as well as everyone's right to human health and to science. The presentation assessed the extent to which existing international treaties clarify the content and extent of State obligations (with reference to environmental assessments, marine spatial planning and marine protected areas), as well as the need for further international interpretative guidance and international law-making. On the latter, the seminar considered the potential role of the current negotiations of an international legally binding instrument on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction to consider human rights as a lens for contributing more holistically to the Sustainable Development Goals. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An_H-g3N2VU |
| Description | Marine Regions Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Daniela Diz (Strathclyde) ontributed to group debates on area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, climate change and oceans, ecosystem approach and large marine ecosystems, as well as the role of regional organisations in oceans governance. The meeting generated key messages targeted at ocean governance organisations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.prog-ocean.org/marine-regions-forum/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/02/MRF2019_Key-Messa... |
| Description | Marine biodiscovery in South Africa: A review of science and policy developments |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Marine ecosystems and biodiversity are critical to global food security, planetary health and human wellbeing. The 'ocean genome', the genetic material present in all marine biodiversity, including both the physical genes and the information they encode (so-called digital sequence information, or DSI), holds enormous potential for improving the quality of human life and contributing significantly to economies as marine organisms offer unique genetic resources that can be used for a range of applications including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, biofuels and agriculture. Globally, South Africa has the third highest levels of marine endemism, with an estimated third of its marine biodiversity endemic to the area, owing to its unique biogeography. As a biodiversity hotspot, South Africa's marine environments have long been of interest as a source of novel compounds with early biodiscovery dating back to the early 1970s. The richness of South Africa's marine biodiversity offers exceptional opportunities for marine biodiscovery and is of worldwide interest for novel compounds. This workshop brought together researchers, Governments of South Africa, and NAMIBIA, and Conservation Agencies to explore developments and understand challenges relating to the equitable and sustainable governance of marine genetic resources. The workshop formed part of a larger research study which aims to provide an in-depth review of marine biodiscovery in South Africa detailing historical and current activities, the governance framework, and existing (dis) connections in science and policy. The intention is for this understanding to be used to explore opportunities for harmonising science and policy to enable more equitable, effective, sustainable and coherent approaches for the governance of marine biodiscovery in South Africa. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/voj0k9j4hq9ehftk4akbj21f2c |
| Description | McQuaid contributes to Third World Ocean Assessment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The second round of five regional workshops in the third cycle aims to raise awareness and provide information on the Regular Process, collect regional-level information and data for the drafting of the third World Ocean assessment(s) and provide an opportunity for writing teams to meet and discuss the drafting of their chapters. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.un.org/regularprocess/second-round-regional-workshops-2023 |
| Description | Media citing the Coastal Justice Network's work to support small-scale fishers in halting a new seismic survey |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Media report cited the work carried out by Hub researchers from Rhodes University and the University of Cape Town under the Coastal Justice Network (CJN). In 2020 the CJN was co-developed by Hub researchers working in the two universities with stakeholders to response to the needs identified during the Hub funded Empatheatre research and post performance dialogues, including the need and opportunity to develop a knowledge action network to support Small Scale Fishers and other coastal communities in strengthening their capacity to respond to, and participate in ocean management processes.In late 2021 to 2022, the CJN is working with the Legal Resources Centre, Natural Justice, Masifundise, Coastal Links, and several other organisations to assist the fishing community in litigation to halt a new seismic survey by Shell. The groups have now tabled a letter of demand to the survey to stop as fishing leaders are deeply concerned about the impact of this seismic survey, along with the cumulative impacts of the onslaught of extractive and polluting activities taking. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.capetownetc.com/news/west-coast-community-prepares-for-a-court-battle-over-a-new-seismic... |
| Description | Mia Strand becomes a Research Fellow at Ocean Nexus focusing on equity in ocean literacies and children's rights |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Early-career researcher Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) was recently appointed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Ocean Nexus, in collaboration with the One Ocean Hub. Her research explores cognitive justice and equity in ocean literacies and children's rights to a healthy ocean. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/mia-strand-becomes-a-research-fellow-at-ocean-nexus-focusing-on-equity-in-oc... |
| Description | Modelling the Impacts of COVID-19 on Coastal and Marine Tourism in Algoa Bay |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR) at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in collaboration with the international One Ocean Hub project, initiated a short-term project in July 2021, with the aim of investigating the impacts of COVID-19 on coastal and marine tourism in the bay. Together with stakeholders, the project aims to simulate interventions to support sustainable recovery of the tourism sector. This project will use system dynamics modelling, which is a systemic approach commonly applied to support planning and management, in order to engage with stakeholders to devise strategies and simulate recovery pathways. Stakeholder engagement was embedded within the project design in 3 stages: - Individual stakeholder meetings: 10-20 August 2021 - Group mapping meeting (online): 7-10 September and 20-23 September 2021 - Final model demonstration and product sharing workshop: end of October 2021 Participants of the workshop include officials from municipality, accommodation managers, tourism consultants, and marine Tourism operators. Outcomes: Simulation model (awarded first place in the South African system dynamics COVID-19 modelling competition), project report, and two journal articles in preparation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://exchange.iseesystems.com/public/esteevermeulen/the-algoa-marine-systems-analysis-tool-algoam... |
| Description | My Joy Online: 'Incorporate voices of local people in policies that govern the ocean - Climate change experts' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Hub's researchers in Ghana were interviewed by the local media during a workshop focusing on the rights of the small-scale fishers. The workshop was aimed to build the capacity of fish processors and fishmongers in two communities in Gomoa West and Efutu in the Central Region of Ghana to network and join forces to voice their problems to the government and other institutions who make policies to address them. See the online news published here: https://www.myjoyonline.com/incorporate-voices-of-local-people-in-policies-that-govern-the-ocean-climate-change-experts/?fbclid=IwAR0t9DxvJ-utEMWWn8QiaK2mVaikCHKeR_R3jcfE3QB-pU1qCKjD8h4o-z8 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/100002349679915/posts/4740568536031422 |
| Description | Mzansea: Revealing South Africa's Marine Ecosystems: Launch Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | During South Africa's National Marine Week 2021, the One Ocean Hub hosted a workshop to launch 'MzanSea', an innovative ocean literacy project. The event saw the launch of it's first products that will help reveal marine ecosystems to learners of all ages. The MzanSea project aims to connect South Africans with the diverse marine ecosystems in our oceans. A new website (www.mzansea.org.za), a children's activity book and a set of fact sheets have been developed. This online education outreach session organised by the One Ocean Hub Mzansea Team, brought together a group of 48 pupils from schools in the Eastern and Western Cape of South Africa to engage with the Mzansea products and meet the project team. Feedback from the pupils was overwhelmingly positive, and as demonstrated by the following feedback received during the event, achieved the project outcome of engaging pupils in the ocean: "It was amazing, loved the presentations and the quiz, and I am now eager to learn and discover more about our oceans" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | http://www.mzansea.org.za/ |
| Description | NAMIBIA Policy Stakeholder Consultation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Namibia with the Ministry of Fisheries and numerous other government stakeholders to discuss the ocean related challenges that the OOH could tackle. Areas identified included evaluation of impact on deep water habitat by marine phosphate mining. The meeting spurred a discussion on how to work together and formalise partnership. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | NERC-NRF South East Asia Marine Plastics Mid-term workshop June 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore invited Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera , to deliver a presentation at a mid-term workshop (held virtually) on Marine Plastics in June 2022. Prof Morgera presented findings from the Hub research on the environmental justice and human rights dimensions of ocean plastics in South Africa, Ghana, Namibia as well as the Caribbean, through our partnership with UN Environment Programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/browse-our-areas-of-investment-and-support/understanding-plastic-... |
| Description | Namibia Community Consultations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub sociology researchers conducted a series of field visits in order to undertake consultations with relevant local authorities, community representatives, fisher groups and organisations and small business. The aim was to understand the from a variety of stakeholders their connection to and reliance on the ocean, and their involvement in ocean governance, challenges and experience. The consultations took the form of 14 focus groups (each lasting 1-1.5 hours), and included representatives from local authorities, the Chief of the Topnaar indigenous community, women's fisher groups, youth groups, fishermen, and fish processors. In addition, 200 questionnaire responses were received. Country involved: Namibia Organisations engaged Topnaar Community (via Chief of the Topnaar) Local municipalities of Walvis Bay, Henties Bay, Skakopmund Woomen's fisher groups Youth groups Mussel harvester association local fishermen Outcomes As a result, members of the Topnaar community have been recruited to the research team to facilitate further engagement, including translation of research products to local languages. The team also established partnerships with the main local authorities. These consultations are informing the design of the next phase of research in Namibia. Country involved: Namibia Organisations engaged Topnaar Community (via Chief of the Topnaar) Local municipalities of Walvis Bay, Henties Bay, Skakopmund Woomen's fisher groups Youth groups Mussel harvester association local fishermen Outcomes As a result, members of the Topnaar community have been recruited to the research team to facilitate further engagement, including translation of research products to local languages. The team also established partnerships with the main local authorities. These consultations are informing the design of the next phase of research in Namibia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Namibia Marine Ecosystem Services Valuation: Stakeholder Consultation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub research (supported through the Hub's Flexible Fund) in Namibia aims to advance the understanding of the value of ecosystem services in Namibia's exclusive economic zone, in order to inform the sustainable implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy plan as well as appropriate MPA designation and management. This research centres on the valuation of priority ecosystem services. Stakeholder consultations took place between October-November 2021 and involved individual consultation interviews and written consultation survey with key stakeholders in the development of Namibia's Blue Economy. The team issued the questionnaire to 15 institutions (50% response rate) including the University of Namibia, the Blue Economy Technical Committee of the Namibian Government, and the Namibia Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and civil society practitioners. The survey aimed to identify ecosystem services as they are applied in Namibia across 4 marine and coastal designated zones (pre identified in previous project funded by GIZ). The survey aimed to guide the research team on the priotisation of one or two ecosystem services to target for the valuation study. By aligning the valuation with focus with stakeholder prioritisation, the team can ensure that the research, method development, and output valuation are relevant and immediately useful in the context of the implementation of Namibia's Blue Economy. Further consultations, including online and physical workshops will follow in 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Namibia Valuation of Ecosystem Services Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | This event was co-organised by the One Ocean Hub, the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute and the Namibia Nature Foundation. It focused on Ecosystem Services Valuation. As part of the event researchers and practitioners were involved in group discussion that were aimed to identify critical data/information gaps for "blue carbon" evaluation (ecological, social & economic), building capacity and resource requirements/limitations (individual & institutional capacity). During the event researchers and practitioners also explored critical emerging trends shaping the future, emerging opportunities; potential conflicts/trade offs related to ecosystem services. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Ocean Hub co-organised a webinar "Namibia's experience on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries: Towards a National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries in Namibia" on 10th-11th June 2021. The webinar was organised to support the Government of Namibia that through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has committed to implement the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) in the context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication with a view to developing a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries for Namibia (NPOA-SSF) since September 2020. The role of the NPOA-SSF is to ultimately advance policy dialogue on small-scale fisheries and to enrich policy direction, engagement and implementation processes. The NPOA-SSF is being developed against the backdrop of the FAO Umbrella Programme "enhancing the contribution of small-scale fisheries to food security and sustainable livelihoods" which supports the promotion, application and subsequent implementation of the SSF Guidelines, giving emphasis to empowering vulnerable and marginalised small-scale fisheries actors and their organisations to engage in relevant processes that affect their livelihoods. The webinar enabled cross-sharing of experiences between the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, as well as key national, regional and international partners and stakeholders in the SSF sector on developments, plans and programmes that are underway in support of the development of the SSF Sector. The webinar also provided the evidence required to support process that will lead to the realisation of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in Namibia. The webinar resulted in a programme ofo collaborative work between the FAO and One Ocean Hub and the Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources on the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/the-food-and-agriculture-organization-and-the-one-ocean-hub-co-organised-web... |
| Description | National Gathering against Oil and Gas in the Oceans held on 5th, 6th and 7th June 2023. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology in Durban, South Africa) facilitated the National Oil and Gas Conference at the Pavilion Hotel in Durban, South Africa on 5-7 June 2023. The conference concluded with a march on the 7th June 2023 along the Durban beachfront. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | National Geographic Article: The world missed a critical deadline to safeguard biodiversity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub´s director Elisa Morgera has been quoted in the National Geographic article "The world missed a critical deadline to safeguard biodiversity, UN report says". Drawing on a major report published in September, the article discusses how the world has failed to meet the United Nations biodiversity targets (the Aichi targets adopted under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity). In the article, Morgera highlighted the link between improved biodiversity protection and the formal recognition by lawmakers of biodiversity as the very foundation of human rights. "Once you bring human rights in and you realize that this is not just a question about this particular plant or microbe, but it's about everybody's [right to health, clean water, and food], the conversation changes and governments have a heavier weight on their shoulders to take these things seriously", Morgera is quoted as saying. According to this premise, the One Ocean Hub is carrying out legal and inter-disciplinary research on human rights and the marine environment, with a view to enhancing and making more inclusive the science-policy interface on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/world-missed-critical-deadline-to-safeguard-biodi... |
| Description | National small-scale fisheries workshop, organised by Masifundise Development Trust |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub 's researcher, Professor Merle Sowman, delivered a presentation on Impacts of the Blue Economy on Small -Scale Fishers at National Small-scale fisheries workshop, organised by Masifundise Development Trust, 13-15th April 2021. The event was targeted at small -scale fishers across South Africa (approx 80 participants) to update them on developments in Blue Economy Initiatives so they could prepare for an engagement with the South Africa Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on the third day of the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Network of African Human Rights Institutes |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Network of African Human rights Institutions invited the One Ocean Hub to contribute to its 14 Biennial Conference on "Nurturing Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for Human Rights in Africa" (18-20 October 2023 in Accra, Ghana.) Dr Sulley Ibrahim, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, presented empirical research findings of relevance to business in the context of the triple threat of climate change, marine litter and the depletion of fish stock due to overfishing and illicit fishing. The presentation also focused on issues related to women's human rights arising from exclusionary statutory and customary fisheries governance practices. The Ghanaian national human rights institution offered to draw on Hub research to inform their comments on the draft UN treaty on business and human rights currently under negotiations. The panel comprised chairpersons of The Gambia and Tanzania national human rights institutions and a representative from the UNDP office in Ghana. The Gambian human rights institution highlighted how large-scale fish-processing factories have negative impacted on the human rights of fisherwomen, by purchasing landed fish, which Sulley considered an insight that may be relevant also for Ghana in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://chraj.gov.gh/news/14th-biennial-conference-of-african-human-rights-institutions-on-business-... |
| Description | New Learning Pathway 'Ocean, Culture and Cultural Heritage' published on One Ocean Learn |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The new Learning Pathway focuses on the interlinkages of the ocean, culture and cultural heritage and explores the cultural values, history, heritage, and Indigenous and local knowledge systems related to the ocean. Among other issues, the Learning Pathway discusses how Indigenous and local ocean knowledge and intangible cultural heritage are often underrepresented in ocean governance processes, such as marine spatial planning and marine protected areas. The Learning Pathway thus highlights the need and shares some innovative methods for the integration of ocean culture and cultural heritage into ocean management approaches. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-learning-pathway-ocean-culture-and-cultural-heritage-published-on-one-oc... |
| Description | New Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to build Africa's capacity for deep-water research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We have launched a new partnership to respond to the disparity in deep-sea research capabilities between the Global North and South. Established in 2023 under the UN Decade of Ocean Science-endorsed Challenger 150 Programme and led by Hub early-career researcher Dr Kirsty McQuaid, the African Network of Deep-water Researchers aims to connect researchers, skills, infrastructure and resources within Africa, and with a global community of deep-water researchers, to build on the continent's capacity for deep-water research in support of sustainable development. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-network-of-deep-water-researchers-aims-to-build-africas-capacity-for-dee... |
| Description | New UN E-Learning Course on Gender and Environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) and early career researcher Dr Mitchell Lennanv(University of Aberdeen, UK) contributed an article titled 'New UN E-Learning Course on Gender and Environment' for the IUCN special newsletter on Gender. The article was also published on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) website in April 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.iucn.org/story/202304/new-un-e-learning-course-gender-and-environment |
| Description | New documentary highlights mining destruction on South Africa's West Coast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub researcher, Professor Merle Sowman (Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Cape Town), explained to the South African newspaper Daily Maverick the social and environmental impacts the mining would have on the coastline. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-12-14-new-documentary-highlights-mining-destruction-on-... |
| Description | New short film: 'Understanding the Deep Sea' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Narrated by early-career researcher Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK and South African National Biodiversity Institute), the film talks about the benefits and challenges of deep-sea research and describes key focus areas of the Hub's research, such as habitat mapping and medical microbiology. The film also highlights The African Network for Deep-water Researchers that was established as a response to the fact that 'Africa has been identified as lacking capacity for deep-sea and offshore research, a critical limitation in the management of key deep-water Blue Economy sectors'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/new-short-film-understanding-the-deep-sea/ |
| Description | Newly launched art exhibition celebrates marine biodiversity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The knowledge exchange platform One Ocean Learn's second art exhibition featured artworks by the Hub's Director, Prof Elisa Morgera. The online exhibition titled "Marine portraits" includes eight ink and watercolour paintings that Elisa created during the first lockdown in the UK in 2020. The artwork 'celebrates the uniqueness and allure of marine life' according to Elisa and allowed her to feel personally connected to marine biodiversity. The artwork is loosely inspired by Dylan McGarry's artwork for the One Ocean Hub's website. The exhibition is accompanied by personal memories of the sea and reflections on ocean research and governance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ |
| Description | News article in the Daily Maverick |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Merle Sowman gave input to an article in the online non profit ethical newspaper called the Dail Maverick. The articles is titled: "Activists haul diamond-mining company to court to avert 'moonscape' fate for sensitive West Coast" The article is about their work at lodging a high court application to stop the firm, Moonstone, from mining near the fishing community of Doringbaai and potentially along a stretch of coast further north that includes biodiversity hotspots such as the Olifants River Estuary and other critically sensitive areas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | News article in the Daily Maverick: "Activists haul diamond-mining company to court to avert 'moonscape' fate for sensitive West Coast" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Prof Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town, South Africa) gave input to an article in the online non profit ethical newspaper called the Dail Maverick. The articles is titled: "Activists haul diamond-mining company to court to avert 'moonscape' fate for sensitive West Coast." The article is about Prof Sowman's research and engagement activities at lodging a high court application to stop the firm, Moonstone, from mining near the fishing community of Doringbaai and potentially along a stretch of coast further north that includes biodiversity hotspots such as the Olifants River Estuary and other critically sensitive areas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Newspaper article "Activism meets art at Fisher's Tales exhibition," Rising Sun Overport. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 21 April 2022 South Africa local newspaper namely Rising Sun Overport published an article titled 'Activism meets art at Fisher's Tales exhibition'. The article reported Fishers'Tales exhibition in Kwa Zulu Natal Society of Arts Gallery in South Africa on 2 March-3 April 2022. Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. This project explores fishers' connections and emotional bonds to the ocean using a visual storytelling approach. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The Fishers' Tales exhibition also provides a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban, as the project is specifically aimed to support creative students studying in the city. The stories and accompanying artwork seek to highlight the similarities and differences in fishers' engagements with the ocean from subsistence to recreational, provoking reflection, empathy, and dialogue. In this sense, the project hopes to build both awareness and solidarity with subsistence and small-scale fishers, who have enormous knowledge and care for the ocean that sustains them. The history of fishing in KwaZulu-Natal is where this project originates. Looking into the history of the diverse people who live along this coastal province, the daily moments captured by the artists offers insight into these experiences of connecting with the ocean, and the complex permitting regulations that impacts negatively on the livelihoods of fishers and their ability to practice fishing as part of their cultural heritage. The exhibition also highlights how climate change has affected marine life in the ocean and how that has negatively impacted the lives of small-scale and subsistence fisherfolk. Increasingly fishers along our coast line are joining the struggle for ocean wellbeing. The project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://risingsunoverport.co.za/116531/video-activism-meets-art-at-fishers-tale-exhibition/ |
| Description | Newspaper article "Art exhibition centres around Durban's fishermen," The Berea Mail |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 13 March 2022, South Africa newspaper, The Berea Mail, published an article titled 'Art exhibition centres around Durban's fishermen'. The article reported Fishers'Tales exhibition in Kwa Zulu Natal Society of Arts Gallery in South Africa on 2 March-3 April 2022. Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. This project explores fishers' connections and emotional bonds to the ocean using a visual storytelling approach. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The Fishers' Tales exhibition also provides a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban, as the project is specifically aimed to support creative students studying in the city. The stories and accompanying artwork seek to highlight the similarities and differences in fishers' engagements with the ocean from subsistence to recreational, provoking reflection, empathy, and dialogue. In this sense, the project hopes to build both awareness and solidarity with subsistence and small-scale fishers, who have enormous knowledge and care for the ocean that sustains them. The history of fishing in KwaZulu-Natal is where this project originates. Looking into the history of the diverse people who live along this coastal province, the daily moments captured by the artists offers insight into these experiences of connecting with the ocean, and the complex permitting regulations that impacts negatively on the livelihoods of fishers and their ability to practice fishing as part of their cultural heritage. The exhibition also highlights how climate change has affected marine life in the ocean and how that has negatively impacted the lives of small-scale and subsistence fisherfolk. Increasingly fishers along our coast line are joining the struggle for ocean wellbeing. The project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://bereamail.co.za/282549/art-exhibition-centers-around-durbans-fishermen |
| Description | Newspaper article "Fisherfolk take central stage," The Post |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 23 March 2022, newspaper article titled ""Fisherfolk take central stage"" was published in The Post. a local newspaper in South Africa. The article reported Fishers'Tales exhibition in Kwa Zulu Natal Society of Arts Gallery in South Africa on 2 March-3 April 2022. Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. This project explores fishers' connections and emotional bonds to the ocean using a visual storytelling approach. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The Fishers' Tales exhibition also provides a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban, as the project is specifically aimed to support creative students studying in the city. The stories and accompanying artwork seek to highlight the similarities and differences in fishers' engagements with the ocean from subsistence to recreational, provoking reflection, empathy, and dialogue. In this sense, the project hopes to build both awareness and solidarity with subsistence and small-scale fishers, who have enormous knowledge and care for the ocean that sustains them. The history of fishing in KwaZulu-Natal is where this project originates. Looking into the history of the diverse people who live along this coastal province, the daily moments captured by the artists offers insight into these experiences of connecting with the ocean, and the complex permitting regulations that impacts negatively on the livelihoods of fishers and their ability to practice fishing as part of their cultural heritage. The exhibition also highlights how climate change has affected marine life in the ocean and how that has negatively impacted the lives of small-scale and subsistence fisherfolk. Increasingly fishers along our coast line are joining the struggle for ocean wellbeing. The project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Newspaper article "Local Artist Wins Award," Solomon Star |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 13 March 2021, a local newspaper in Solomon Islands called Solomon Star published an article titled 'Local Artist Wins Award'. The article reported that local artist, Lloyd Newton, has been awarded a prestigious One Ocean Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund award to undertake Our Ocean, Our Identity, a seven-month project co-led by Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga in Vanuatu, Lloyd Newton in Solomon Islands and Pax Jakupa in Papua New Guinea. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.solomonstarnews.com/local-artist-wins-award/ |
| Description | Newspaper article "Local Artist Wins Award," Vanuatu Daily Post |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 13 March 2021, Vanuatu newspaper called Vanuatu Daily Post published an article titled 'Local Artist Wins Award'. The article reported that a local artist, Alvaro Sumaki Kuautonga, has been awarded a prestigious One Ocean Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund award to undertake Our Ocean, Our Identity, a seven-month project co-led by Kuautonga in Vanuatu, Lloyd Newton in Solomon Islands and Pax Jakupa in Papua New Guinea. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://dailypost.vu/news/local-artist-wins-award/article_15db1e24-8519-11eb-8138-1bad3ed14307.html |
| Description | Newspaper article "MB Collection Designer Crowned First Ever Wearable Art Show Winner," Solomon Star |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 15 November 2022, Solomon Star, a national newspaper based in Solomon Islands pubslihed an article titled 'MB Collection Designer Crowned First Ever Wearable Art Show Winner'. The article discussed about the 'Wearable Art Show' in that was held in Solomon Islands in November 2022. The wearable art was created as part of the Ocean's Lens project in Solomon Islands funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. The project was led by the Association of Solomon Islanders in Creative Fashion. It brought together female fashion designers, tailors and young models to create wearable art that communicates customary relationships with the sea. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.solomonstarnews.com/mb-collection-designer-crowned-first-ever-wearable-art-show-winner/ |
| Description | Newspaper article Real Life on the 'dolosse', Independent Online |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 12 March 2022 South Africa online newspaper Independent Online (IOL) published an article titled "Real Life on the 'dolosse'. The article focused on Fishers'Tales exhibition in Kwa Zulu Natal Society of Arts Gallery in South Africa on 2 March-3 April 2022. Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. This project explores fishers' connections and emotional bonds to the ocean using a visual storytelling approach. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The Fishers' Tales exhibition also provides a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban, as the project is specifically aimed to support creative students studying in the city. The stories and accompanying artwork seek to highlight the similarities and differences in fishers' engagements with the ocean from subsistence to recreational, provoking reflection, empathy, and dialogue. In this sense, the project hopes to build both awareness and solidarity with subsistence and small-scale fishers, who have enormous knowledge and care for the ocean that sustains them. The history of fishing in KwaZulu-Natal is where this project originates. Looking into the history of the diverse people who live along this coastal province, the daily moments captured by the artists offers insight into these experiences of connecting with the ocean, and the complex permitting regulations that impacts negatively on the livelihoods of fishers and their ability to practice fishing as part of their cultural heritage. The exhibition also highlights how climate change has affected marine life in the ocean and how that has negatively impacted the lives of small-scale and subsistence fisherfolk. Increasingly fishers along our coast line are joining the struggle for ocean wellbeing. The project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/real-life-on-the-dolosse-ab2b9754-48c3-47ca-84c6-a78e65e6107b |
| Description | Ocean & Women, a short film by One Ocean Hub |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub communication manager contributed an article titled 'Ocean & Women, a short film by One Ocean Hub' for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) special newsletter on Gender. The article was also published on the IUCN website in April 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.iucn.org/story/202304/ocean-women-short-film-one-ocean-hub |
| Description | Ocean Best Practices System |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub early career researcher, Kelsey Archer Barnhill (University of Edinburgh), was invited as panelist at Ocean Best Practices System Workshop 5: Shipboard training - towards multi-regional best practices on 24 September 2021. The purpose of the workshop was for sharing information on some of the major shipboard training initiatives and how their teaching modalities lead to successful outcomes. The workshop was designed for both researchers and stakeholders to understand, share and co |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://workshop5.oceanbestpractices.org/ |
| Description | Ocean Connections - A Multimedia Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The multimedia exhibition to be held at the South End Museum in Gqeberha, South Africa between 24-31 March 2022 is co-organised by One Ocean Hub researchers based at Nelson Mandela University in collaboration with the South Africa National Research Foundation, Sthe outh Africa National Biodiversity Institute, and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. The ocean connections photography exhibition will showcase culturally significant coastal areas and local coastal knowledge of Algoa Bay residents, collected by residents themselves throughout 2021. The exhibition will be interactive and invite participants to share their ideas of how Indigenous and local knowledge should better inform ocean management. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/n05h4jl9s02cvloin2mparvio7 |
| Description | Ocean Frontiers Institute Webinar: People and the Ocean |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Social Sciences and Humanities Working Group within the Ocean Frontier Institute invited the Hub to present on "The Role of Human Rights and Arts in Ocean Research for Inclusive and Integrated Governance" as part of its virtual webinar series on People and the Ocean. The Hub was represented by Director Elisa Morgera and early-career researchers Marly Muudeni Samuel (Glasgow School of Art, UK ), who focuses on indigenous ocean knowledge and augmented reality for ocean heritage in Namibia, and Mia Strand, (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), who pilots arts-based participatory research in area-based ocean governance contexts to co-produce knowledge with Indigenous and local knowledge holders. The webinar was recorded and made available here: https://oceanfrontierinstitute.com/index.php?p=news/news/social-sciences-and-humanities-people-and-the-ocean-speaker-series |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oceanfrontierinstitute.com/index.php?p=news/news/social-sciences-and-humanities-people-and-t... |
| Description | Ocean Genome: Challenges and Opportunities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | South African researcher Prof Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town) is the lead author on the publication, "The Ocean Genome and future prospects for ocean governance and equity" https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0522-9 This publication, was the feature of this webinar. The paper's authors and other experts in the field discuss how the unique genetic diversity of the ocean can be protected, and how the benefits that come from exploring the ocean genome can be more equitably distributed, as well as the implications for policy makers, international cooperation and the new agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). Organisations involved: World Resources Institute (webinar host), University of Cape Town, South Africa |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.wri.org/events/2020/04/webinar-ocean-genome-challenges-and-opportunities |
| Description | Ocean Nexus Marine Plastics Development Project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In June 2022 the Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera was invited to the the Ocean Nexus launching of a 4-month Marine Plastic Pollution (MPP) Roadmap Development Project. Ocean Nexus was convening an international, multisector group of experts to co-develop - between July and November, 2022- a 10 year strategic plan to address this issue. By participating in the Marine Plastic Pollution Roadmap Development project, the Hub was asked to commit to do the following: • Participation in three synchronous online workshops, to be held facilitated by Dr. Kirsten Foot assisted by members of the project team: #1: Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 11am-5pm Pacific Daylight Savings Time #2: Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 11am-5pm Pacific Daylight Savings Time #3: Thursday , November 10, 2022, 10am-4pm Pacific Standard Time • Responses to several brief, perspective-gathering online polls. • Substantive written contributions to development of (your choice of) one of the central aims of the roadmap between the 1st and 2nd workshops, and again between the 2nd and 3rd workshops, and feedback on the other draft aims and the penultimate draft roadmap. • A 30-minute, one-to-one interview with a project facilitation team member in November. • Feedback on the full draft roadmap. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/strathclydecentreenvironmentallawgovernance/news/2021/profmorgerac... |
| Description | Ocean Race Summit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub was invited to contribute to Ocean Race Summit's discussion of the potential benefits of the idea of "ocean rights" and the elaboration of a "bill of ocean rights" to be presented to the UN in 2023, from an ocean governance perspective. The Ocean Race (previously 'Volvo Ocean Race') has a "policy arm" called The Ocean Race Summit that aims to "bring together a diverse group of top experts across many fields and disciplines who can work collaboratively to develop and share effective solutions to restore ocean health". They are planning a series of 9 summits between now and 2023, taking place in different locations around the world, but also digitally. The first summit in the current series (2021-2023) was a Europe summit held on 16 June 2021, featuring a high-level session and three "action labs" on respectively Ocean Governance, Ocean & Climate, and Ocean Protection to "share solutions, best practice, challenges, gaps and opportunities". Professor Elisa Morgera, Hub Director, was invited to speak at the Ocean Governance action lab to discuss if and how ocean rights can help strengthen the ocean governance framework at a global or European level, but also what challenges legal and policy structures may pose to the uptake and operationalisation of ocean rights. The other presenters were Jake Rice (Chief Scientist Emeritus, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada) and Prof Massimiliano Montini (University of Siena, Italy). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://theoceanrace.s3.amazonaws.com/files/m141737_The-Ocean-Race-Summit-Europe-Report.pdf |
| Description | Ocean Sessions with the New Muizenberg school, Cape Town |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub researcher Anna James has been working one-one with a teacher at New Muizenberg School, Cape Town, to develop new approaches to marine education that integrate indigenous knowledge and marine science. Between August and September 2021, Anna led 9 sessions in school (3 sessions with 3 classes, with a combined pupil population of 36), covering topics of marine foodweb, stories songs and dances about the beach, cultural ocean heritage: an exploration of Kosi bay fishing traditions, and fieldwork classes on Immersive beach play: Finding shells, seaweeds and plastics on the beach, informally discussing how they arrived on the beach and creating a sculpture. Follow up sessions will be held in 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Ocean Visions Summit- Oceans and Human Wellbeing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | At the Summit that was organised by Ocean Visions, a Civil Society Organisation that connects academic research institutions, marine resource managers, investors, and governments to collaborate on the development of equitable solutions in the ocean-climate nexus, Hub early career researcher, Dr Nina Rivers chaired a panel on Ocean Health and Human Wellbeing. As part of this panel Dr Dylan Dylan McGarry presented presented the Hub's funded 'Empatheatre production: Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea)' . The title of Dr Mcgarry presentation was 'A Public Storytelling Approach to Participative Ocean Governance and Decision Making for Human Rights in South Africa |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.oceanvisions.org/ |
| Description | Ocean education workshop with Wild Oceans KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | "On 2 April 2022, Hub researcher, Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, South Africa), organised the 'Ocean education workshop with Wild Oceans KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts', in Durban, South Africa. The event was organised as part of the Fishers' Tales exhibition. A representative of Wild Oceans, an NGO, was gracious enough to do a short presentation that looked at marine life. The kids who attended were thoroughly enthralled by the sharks' teeth that they were given when they answered correctly. The exhibition itself also discussed the broader context of environmental justice and of oil and gas exploration and its effects on the fishers. The session ended with the screening of the videos (Lalela Ulwandle and Blue Blanket). Fishers' Tales exhibition at Kwa Zulu Natal Society of Arts Gallery ran from 2 March - 3 April 2022. Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. This project explores fishers' connections and emotional bonds to the ocean using a visual storytelling approach. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The Fishers' Tales exhibition also provides a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban, as the project is specifically aimed to support creative students studying in the city. The Fishers' Tales project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Ocean, Justice, and Human Rights Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 3 - 5 November 2022, the Department of Public Law at Nelson Mandela University was hosting "the Oceans, Justice and Human Rights Conference" in a hybrid format. The conference provided an opportunity for interdisciplinary discussions about the relationship between the oceans, justice, and human rights. The conference covered a wide range of issues related to ocean governance, including sustainability, development, climate change, the human rights of people living in close proximity to the ocean and impacted by environmental violations, and climate and environmental justice. The following Hub researchers presented at the conference: Patrick Vrancken and early-career researchers Tanya Wagenaar, Tajudeen Sanni, Anthea Christoffels-DuPlessis, and Hashali Hamukuaya (Nelson Mandela University), Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde) and the Chair of the Hub's Advisory Board, Mr Eden Charles (the University of the West Indies). The Conference brough together academics and non-academic stakeholders such as the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa and the Department of Environmental Affairs of South Africa. A wide breadth of speakers from NGOs, educational gaming developers, decision-makers, international organisations, legal practitioners, and community leaders contributed to the event. The conference was organised by Prof Patrick Vrancken, South African Research Chair in the Law of the Sea and Development in Africa (Nelson Mandela University) in collaboration with Warwick University UK, and the South African International Maritime Institute. The keynote speech was delivered by David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, who reflected on the first United General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that recognises the human right to a healthy environment. Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited to deliver a presentation on the negotiations for a new international legal binding instrument on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ process) from an environmental and human rights perspective. The presentation focused on Hub's ongoing research on the deep sea and the need to co-produce ocean action with indigenous knowledge holders including women and children. As part of a panel examining environmental rights and non-state actors, Hub early-career researcher Tanya Wagenaar (Nelson Mandela University) presented on the obligations of non-state actors to realise a transition to sustainable ocean governance. The presentation firstly examined the application of the South African Constitution on environmental rights in marine areas within and beyond national jurisdiction, considering international rules on sustainable use of marine biodiversity under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Hub Advisory Board Chair, Eden Charles (University of the West Indies, Trinidad & Tobago), presented on opportunities and challenges to human rights in small island developing states in areas beyond national jurisdiction. With a special focus on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the presentation emphasised that ocean action needs to address climate justice and the disproportionate effect of climate change on small island developing states. Hub researcher, Tajudeen Sanni (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) presented on the right of nature approach in the pursuit of justice and the protection of human rights in the ocean. The presentation emphasised that an often-ignored route to protecting human rights and justice in the ocean is the securing of the right of "the foundation producer" of ecosystem services, namely the ocean. The right of nature approach echoes Hub researchers' calls for a new relationship between humanity and the ocean and international contributions of the Hub on this debate. " |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/exploring-the-relationship-between-the-ocean-justice-and-human-rights/ |
| Description | Oct 2022 Television interview Netai en Namou Toc Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) Kelma Naupa Ishmael and Chief Daniel Dam |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "In October 2022 a national television channel in Vanuatu, Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC), broadcasted an interview with Kelma Naupa Ishmael and Chief Daniel Dam of the Erromango Cultural Association. The interview focused on Netai en Namou (Stories of Mother Ocean), a newly published illustrated children's book produced by the Erromango Cultural Association in collaboration with One Ocean Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund. The community-led art-based research project Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) was showcased at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at Climate Conference COP27, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022. The project also resulted in paid employment and training and promotion of transdiciplinary research practice in Vanuatu." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Olifants Estuary Management Forum meetings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Merle Sowman presented on "Impacts of mining on the Olifants estuary and local communities at this forum as part of five presentations to government and NGOs on Impacts of coastal and marine mining on communities and the environment on the West Coast of South Africa. Four meetings were held in 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | On the road to Kunming: Towards a post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework' at the virtual Bratislava Earth Systems Governance Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Professor Elisa Morgera, Hub Director, contributed to a high-level science-policy dialogue 'On the road to Kunming: Towards a post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework' at the virtual Bratislava Earth Systems Governance Conference on 7th September 2021. Prof Morgera's presentation focused on "the biodiversity-climate-ocean-human rights nexus for the just and effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity." She stressed the importance of recognising the relevance of internationally recognised human rights in a new global biodiversity framework, with a view to supporting transformative change through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. She also underscored the need to further advance scientific research and legal thinking on the inter-linkages between marine biodiversity and human rights, including at the land/ocean interface. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.earthsystemgovernance.org/2021bratislava/ |
| Description | One Ocean Hub Coastal Justice Network National Workshop: Anchoring small-scale fishers' rights: Our Ocean, Our Commons for a just future, Gqeberha 24-27 October 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The National Small-scale Fisheries (SSF) workshop was organised by Coastal Justice Network (CJN) and was held in Gqeberha from 24 - 27 October. Several South African Hub researchers including Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa), Irna Senekal (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), and Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology in Durban, South Africa) facilitated this national workshop bringing together 55 fishers and partners in Gqeberha, South Africa. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/workshop-report-anchoring-small-scale-fishers-rights-our-oceano... |
| Description | One Ocean Hub Deep Sea Life Summit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub's "Deep-sea Life summit" or One Ocean Hub's BBNJ internal Mini-Conference was organised on the 29th - 30th April 2021 at 12:00-16:00 GMT. The BBNJ stands for the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The 4th BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference will take place in the first half of 2022. The One Ocean Hub is exploring several options to contribute to virtual and in-person engagement as Hub, supported by our Board of Advisors. The Summit was led by Professor Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, South Africa). All the speakers and attendees in the Summit were One Ocean Hub researchers. The Deep-sea Life summit was designed to achieve the following objectives: - Bring together all Hub researchers that have an interest or experience in contributing to BBNJ negotiations, as well as all Hub researchers whose research is relevant for the Hub's inputs into the BBNJ process - all Co-Directors worked with Dr Senia Febrica to develop the invitee list oProfessor Elisa Morgera and Dr Kira Erwin designed the event - Develop a shared understanding of the entry points for Hub research into the BBNJ process - Professor Elisa Morgera, Professor Jeremy Hills (the University of South Pacific, Fiji) and others directly engaging with BBNJ negotiators or relevant project partners, contributed to identify "demand-side" issues (what do negotiators would like to receive support from?) that can be included in the panels on "entry points"; in addition to the points raised in the BBNJ webinar series organised by Dr Senia Febrica (https://oneoceanhub.org/blog/) - Develop a common strategy on integrating the content of Hub inputs from across different disciplines, with the following underlying aims: - Focus on capacity for ocean science and management (access to deep-sea research, access to resources) so that the BBNJ instrument can support ocean knowledge co-production - Enhanced voice of Global South in international ocean-related negotiations (thanks to enhanced capacity to manage the ocean and carry out ocean research via the BBNJ instrument) - Enhanced capacities in the Global South also to manage marine areas within national jurisdiction (and prevent negative impacts on human rights) - Identify follow-up action with different partners to embed Hub inputs in a differentiated way into and around the BBNJ negotiations (second mini-conference open to external partners and/or individual follow-up with external partners with "targeted package" of areas of cooperation?) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/the-one-ocean-hub-holds-a-deep-sea-life-summit/ |
| Description | One Ocean Hub Small-Scale Fishers Marine Spatial Planning Workshop with St Helena Bay Fishing Communities, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub researchers Dr Jackie Sunde and Professor Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town) co-organised a workshop with St Helena Bay Fishing Communities on 15 November 2021. It involved 13 participants (4 women and 9 men) from the fishing communities. The aim of the event was to introduce the One Ocean Hub project to the fishers and begin mapping their small-scale fishing areas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | One Ocean Hub Solomon Islands: Stakeholder Consultations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | As part of the One Ocean Hub work package zero activity in the Solomon Islands, a stakeholder consultation event was held in December 2020. The event gathered together stakeholders from Government Ministries, local NGOs, community organisations, development practitioners, and researchers, to discuss the findings of the WP0 research to determine gaps and intersections in ocean policy and research, and inform a roadmap for research in the Solomon Islands under the One Ocean Hub. Countries involved: Solomon Islands Organisations Engaged: Government • Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Tourism • Solomon Islands Government Prime Ministers Office • Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening • Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Finance and Treasury • Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination • Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology. • Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Mines, Minerals and Rural Electrification. • Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources • Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs NGOS and Community Representatives • Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership • Landowners' Advocacy and Legal Support Unit • Islands Knowledge Institution • World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) • Wildlife Conservation Society • WorldFish Education and Research • Solomon Islands National University • University of the South Pacific Outcomes Co-designing research plan for next phase with stakeholders involved in this consultation to ensure that research is embedded in local context and with the organisations with agency to implement project outputs for change. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | One Ocean Hub customary law workshop Namibia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | On 1-2 February 2023, a workshop was held at the University of Namibia by the One Ocean Hub's Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Network to bring together research teams and partner organisations who have been exploring the role of customary laws in ocean governance in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for two days of cross-country learning and dialogue. This follows two public webinars that the Network organized in 2022. The One Ocean Hub's Customary Laws of the Coast and Sea Research Network, and the Hub's Early-Career Researchers' Network, are developing a series of academic publications that will be released later in 2023, as well as key policy messages that will be integrated in the Hub's submissions to relevant UN processes. For more information about key messages shared during the workshop read this blogpost: https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/comparative-reflections-on-customary-laws-of-the-coast-and-sea-in-africa/ |
| Description | One Ocean Hub knowledge exchange workshop South Africa and Ghana: Arts-based participatory research methods |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub researchers in South-Africa and Ghana co-organised a workshop on arts-based participatory research to share findings and foster collaboration between researchers. At the workshop Hub's early career researcher, Mia Strand, delivered a presention on 'Practical steps of the arts-based participatory pesearch process'. She also served as the facilitator during the workshop. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | One Ocean Hub workshop to develop instruments for identifying sustainable strategies for managing Ghana's marine fisheries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub researchers in Ghana organised a workshop to develop instruments for identifying sustainable strategies for managing Ghana's marine fisheries on 21st April 2021, at the University of Cape Coast. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | One Ocean Hub workshop: Mapping St Helena Bay (South Africa) fishers knowledge |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub reseachers, Dr Jackie Sunde and Prof Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town, South Africa), held a workshop in St Helena Bay, South Africa with fishers regarding mapping local fisher knowledge and fishing areas as part of the One Ocean Hub and deep connections research and engagement activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | One Ocean Hub workshop: Mapping St Helena Bay (South Africa) fishers knowledge |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub reseachers Jackie Sunde and Merle Sowman held Workshop in St Helena Bay with fishers regarding mapping local fisher knowledge and fishing areas as part of the OOH and deep connections work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | One Ocean Hub-UNDOALOS Nippon Fellowship Capacity Programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | As a result of the COVID19 pandemic, UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) sought to refocus its capacity-building activities for Nippon Fellows and Alumni. To achieve this, UNDOALOS partnered with the One Ocean Hub to co-develop a series of joint online events to reach out to the ocean governance community during the COVID-19 emergency. This series of online sessions sought to engage with UN/Nippon Fellow alumni network of government officers from 80 countries, with the aim of providing opportunities for continued learning, discussions, and engagement in key ocean-related spheres, including to identify and address the new and additional challenges stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. The programme was also designed to provide a platform to learn about Hub researchers' findings; share their own challenges and ideas for more effective ocean governance; and receive training for international negotiations. These seminars drew on research conducted in the Hub as well as the experiences of Hub researchers more broadly. By opening its network of Nippon Fellows, UNDOALOS facilitated the connection of Hub researchers with government and civil society working on ocean issues from more than 80 countries, creating opportunities for international exposure for DAC and UK researchers, as well as opportunities for small-scale fishing communities leaders to share their views internationally and potentially explore opportunities for cross-national learning and alliances (contributing directly to the Hub's objective of connecting knowledge and dialogue across scales from local to international level). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.un.org/Depts/los/nippon/OnlineAlumniActivities.pdf |
| Description | One Ocean Learn - learning pathway: The ocean and climate change |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The ocean-climate nexus is crucial for addressing environmental challenges. It absorbs carbon dioxide but also suffers from climate change impacts. Integrating the ocean into climate strategies is vital for protecting human rights and a sustainable future. This is the One Ocean Learn's seventh learning pathway, launched in September 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/the-ocean-and-climate-change/ |
| Description | One Ocean Learn: learning pathways and exhibitions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub and the Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit of UNITAR have been working over the past five years to create an innovative online platform, One Ocean Learn (https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/) which aims to support global capacity building by translating ocean knowledge into action-oriented learning for activists, communities, development practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the ways in which global, national and local communities depend on and relate to the ocean, coastal areas and marine life. The focus is on connecting knowledge across different sources and enhance capacities to use integrated knowledge to address real-word questions and understand experiences, with a view to contributing towards more sustainable decisions on the ocean. Knowledge and learning are nourished by curiosity and wonder. To that end, One Ocean Learn supports navigation across resources on art, events, libraries, opportunities, organizations and people that inspire and challenge different learners to enhance their ability to influence key ocean issues. As new knowledge about the oceans is being generated across several global, regional national and local initiatives, the platform aims to shine light on local and national initiatives on the ocean which are often obscured by the overload of information available on the internet. The online platforms include learning pathways and exhibitions. Learning pathways and exhibitions available in One Ocean Learn are listed below. Learning pathways • "Culture and Cultural Heritage in the Ocean" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/culture-and-cultural-heritage-in-the-ocean/ • "Transdisciplinarity" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/transdisciplinarity/ • "Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/illegal-unreported-and-unregulated-fishing/ • "Gender and the ocean" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/gender-and-the-ocean/ • "The ocean and climate change" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/the-ocean-and-climate-change/ • "Children's rights and ocean governance" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/childrens-rights-and-ocean-governance/ • "The ocean and human rights" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/ocean-and-human-rights/ • "Ocean Plastics" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/ocean-plastics/ • "Organize a virtual conference: enhance participation easily" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/organize-a-virtual-conference-enhance-participation-easily/ • "Learning from local knowledge, and its role in ocean science" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/learning-pathways/editor-lp/ Exhibitions • "Fishers' tales" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/fishers-tales/ • "Traditions and tales from the sea" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/traditions-and-tales-from-the-sea/ • "Marine portraits" available from https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/exhibitions/marine-portraits/ Other learning pathways and art exhibitions in the pipeline: ? "Ocean and Environmental Humanities" Learning pathway is scheduled for April 2024. ? "Wise Sands" exhibition is scheduled for March 2024. ? Aku and the Turtle Spirit Graphic Novel is scheduled for March 2024. Between 2023 and 2024 the One Ocean Learn platform has 20773 views. Exhibitions section has 3569 views. Learning Pathways section has a total of 7251 views. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.oneoceanlearn.org/ |
| Description | One ocean: the power of storytelling at COP27' by Dr Dylan McGarry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | To celebrate eight years of BEIS (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) international programmes Newton Fund and Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) asked researchers and innovators to tell about the journeys they have made and reflect on the many benefits and challenges of doing 'science beyond borders'. Hub researcher, Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, UK) was asked to write about the experience of taking Empatheatre play Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) to COP27. Read more here: https://www.newton-gcrf.org/impact/stories-of-change/one-ocean-the-power-of-storytelling-at-cop27/. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.newton-gcrf.org/impact/stories-of-change/one-ocean-the-power-of-storytelling-at-cop27/ |
| Description | Ongoing engagement with South Africa Government to predict and adapt to changes in fishery ecoystems caused by climate change |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing engagement with the South Africa Government Department of environment, forestry and fisheries (DEFF). Hub researcher Dr Lynne Shannon (University of Cape Town) is working in ongoing partnership with DEFF Scientific Working Groups, and specific task teams on small pelagic fisheries, climate change, top predator, and the seabird task team. Dr Shannon is developing an ecosystem model of the South Benguela Current ecosystem in order to model and predict the impact of climate change to economically important small pelagic fish stocks. Country: South Africa Organisations Engaged: South Africa Government Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Small Pelagic Fishery Scientific Working Group, and Seabird Taskteam. Outcomes: Shannon provides ecosystem perspectives to fisheries decision making, including tabling of relevant documentation and expression of concerns around non-precautionary management approaches. Shannon and team have developed a prototype ecosystem model of the Southern Benguela ecosystem for use in offshore fisheries management. Shannon engages with the DEFF working group to model management approaches. Decisions of the Task Team, informed by Shannon's inputs are due first half of 2021 (delayed due to COVID-19). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Online training about wildlife trafficking for SA judiciary produced by Fishforce in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund and the South African Judicial Education Institute |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Online training about wildlife trafficking for SA judiciary FishFORCE has noted the strategic importance of engaging with regional court magistrates and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in South Africa. The Centre for Law in Action at Nelson Mandela University (in which FishFORCE is situated) is completing a pilot online training programme in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI) for the South African judiciary on illegal wildlife trade, including fisheries crime. With funding from USAID, WWF appointed FishFORCE to develop the online curriculum, and the pilot training for magistrates took place on 2 June 2022. The value of the engagement with the judiciary is two-fold: 1. the concepts of fisheries crime and the protection of marine living resources were introduced as part of the training curriculum, as it previously dealt only with terrestrial fauna and flora; and 2. increasing awareness amongst members of the judiciary with regards to the nature, extent, and impact of fisheries crime. The SAJEI will provide magistrates with the online Moodle-based platform to increase their capacity and know-how on wildlife and environmental crimes, including fisheries crime. The SAJEI promotes the independence, impartiality, dignity, accessibility and effectiveness of the courts in South Africa through continuing judicial education as provided for in the South African Judicial Education Institute Act 14 of 2008. Can read more in the Fishforce 2022 newsletter attached |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Online training about wildlife trafficking for South Africa judiciary produced by Fishforce in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund and the South African Judicial Education Institute |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | This event was an online training about wildlife trafficking for South Africa judiciary. FishFORCE has noted the strategic importance of engaging with regional court magistrates and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in South Africa. The Centre for Law in Action at Nelson Mandela University (in which FishFORCE is situated) is completing a pilot online training programme in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI) for the South African judiciary on illegal wildlife trade, including fisheries crime. With funding from USAID, WWF appointed FishFORCE to develop the online curriculum, and the pilot training for magistrates that took place on 2 June 2022. The value of the engagement with the judiciary is two-fold: 1. the concepts of fisheries crime and the protection of marine living resources were introduced as part of the training curriculum, as it previously dealt only with terrestrial fauna and flora; and 2. increasing awareness amongst members of the judiciary with regards to the nature, extent, and impact of fisheries crime. The SAJEI will provide magistrates with the online Moodle-based platform to increase their capacity and know-how on wildlife and environmental crimes, including fisheries crime. The SAJEI promotes the independence, impartiality, dignity, accessibility and effectiveness of the courts in South Africa through continuing judicial education as provided for in the South African Judicial Education Institute Act 14 of 2008. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.wwf.org.za/?33362/Call-for-Applications-Development-of-a-Training-Curriculum-for-the-Sou... |
| Description | Opinion piece mentioned in the "International Fisheries News" (IFN) weekly newsletter on the Pew Charitable Trust website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Prof Hennie van As Daily Maverick news articles about Fishforce was also mentioned in the "International Fisheries News" (IFN) weekly newsletter on the Pew Charitable Trust website |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Our Ocean is Sacred, You Can't Mine Heaven |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Coverage of Our Ocean is Sacred, You Can't Mine Heaven exhibition |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-05-a-stitch-in-sacred-time-exhibition-weaves-our-oce... |
| Description | Our Ocean is Sacred, You Can't Mine Heaven Exhibition in August-September 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Our Ocean is Sacred, you can't mine heaven" Exhibition, Public Storytelling Project and radical an-archive at the Zero Gallery, on the corner of Church and Berg Street, in Cape Town from the 4th August to the 30th September 2022 was a curated exhibition funded by the One Ocean Hub's Deep Fund, EITZ, and the National Arts Festival 2022. One Ocean Hub's South African Country Director Dr. Dylan McGarry and senior researcher at the Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC) at the University Currently Known at Rhodes, has lead a team of cultural practitioners alongside Dr. Boudina McConnachie at the International Library of African Music (ILAM) to develop a multi-genre audio-visual storytelling project, which shares some of the rich cultural artefacts resurfacing (and in some cases emerging) as reflections of South African ocean culture. McGarry explained that "Some of the artwork in the exhibition were used as evidence alongside the rich affidavits and testimonies of Small Scale Fishers and customary rights holders in the court interdicts, thereby expanding the arguments against oil and gas exploration to go beyond positivist scientific debate, into socio-cultural discourse - this lead to new legal precedents, where judges recognised the ocean as sacred to South Africans, with specific reference to the Ocean as the sacred realm of the ancestors". Supporting McConnachie and McGarry, the exhibition was birthed alongside curatorial support of Michaela Howse from the Keiskamma Art Project and Luke Kaplan from Coastal Justice Network, and is a gathering of ethnomusicologists, traditional healers, visual and textile artists, photographers, marine sociologists, poets, marine scientists, heritage specialists, activists, lawyers, and other citizens who have been working in solidarity to reframe the narratives surrounding our oceans, and how we make decisions regarding our shared futures. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.cmm.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Our-Ocean-is-Sacred-Press-Release.pdf |
| Description | Our Ocean is Sacred, You Can't Mine Heaven Exhibition on 23 June - 3 July 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Our Sacred Ocean, a monumental tapestry created by the Keiskamma Art Project, recently made its public debut as part of the South African National Arts Festival exhibition Our Ocean is Sacred, You Can't Mine Heaven (23 June - 3 July 2022). Curated by Hub researcher Dylan McGarry, the exhibition was conceived during ongoing dialogue with academics, artists, scientists, traditional healers and knowledge holders, heritage specialists, activists, lawyers and passionate citizens who are working in solidarity to reframe narratives and policies regarding the ocean and its shared future. Production of the tapestry was facilitated by the Hub's DEEP Fund - a collaborative programme of international research that supports community-based art projects that communicate emotional bonds with the ocean. Over the last 16 months, the Keiskamma Art Project convened intergenerational knowledge exchange workshops and storytelling sessions to collect local memories, prayers and rituals that express ancestral connections to the sea. The intricately embroidered motifs of the tapestry reveal the centrality of the ocean to the Eastern Cape communities of Hamburg and Bodium. Alongside imagery that depicts the ocean as a sacred space for cleansing and healing to ensure sustained good-health and wellbeing, the sea is also represented as a space for traditional modes of fishing and harvesting to ensure food and financial security. Hub researcher and DEEP Fund Programme Manager, Lisa McDonald, notes that 'the tapestry visually advocates for the safeguarding of indigenous cultural heritage and conveys the importance of protecting customary relationships with the ocean.' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/our-ocean-is-sacred-you-cant-mine-heaven/ |
| Description | PACIFIC ISLANDS Transdisciplinary Workshop and Stakeholder Consultations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing consultations with relevant stakeholders including local assemblies, environmental protection agencies, fisheries commission, other researcher and others to determine gaps and intersections in ocean policy and research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
| Description | Pacific Ocean Alliance Conference PACIFIC ISLANDS |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Four of our academic partners from the University of South Pacific attended the Pacific Ocean Allaince conference in Fiji. Participants sought to build appropriate frameworks that provide the best chances of successfully managing Pacific Island resources in an integrated and sustainable way, drawing on heritage and more recent best practices, standards and limits set by our communities and leaders, and international bodies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.spc.int/events/pacific-ocean-alliance-conference |
| Description | Panel at the Africa chapter of the Global Small Scale Fishers conference, November 20-23, 2022. Cape Town, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town South Africa) chaired a panel at the Africa chapter of the Global SSF conference organised by Too Big To Ignore. Four community members attended and participated in the and hub researchers Philile Mbatha (University of Strathclyde, UK), Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town, South Africa) and Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) also gave presentations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.4wsfcongress.com/africa-plenary-session |
| Description | Parliamentary portfolio meeting - Merle Sowman presented on gender and small-scale fisheries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In May 2023, a Parliamentary portfolio meeting was held with key stakeholders. Hub researcher Prof Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town, South Africa) presented and introduced the concept of "blue carbon" and carbon credits to stakeholders through the presentation of the draft literature review work. The planetary meeting identified knowledge and data gaps in literature review work so far and generated a better understanding of the state of Blue Carbon projects Assess interest in developing this work further within Namibia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Participation at Glion Human Rights Dialogue |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to participate at Glion VIII, which took place on 16-17 May 2022 in Chardonne Switzerland. This year's edition of the Glion Human Rights Dialogue focused on the topic 'The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment - what does it mean for States, for rights-holders and for nature?' The Glion Human Rights Dialogue was a high-level event bringing together around 65 human rights practitioners and thinkers. It was designed to provide an informal space for open exchange, as well as new and innovative thinking. The meeting was held under the 'Chatham House rule.' The eighth Glion Human Rights Dialogue (Glion VIII) was organised by Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Universal Rights Group, in partnership with the Permanent Missions of Fiji, Iceland, Mexico, and Thailand. The dialogue was an opportunity to reflect and identify ways forward on the international recognition of the human right to a healthy environment by the Human Rights Council in October 2021. In resolution 48/13 on 'The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment' (which was adopted by vote, with 43 in favour and 4 abstentions), the Council "recognize[d] the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a human right that is important for the enjoyment of human rights." This recognition can be seen as the culmination of decades of interpretation of existing international human rights law in conjunction with international environmental law, as summarized in the 2018 UN Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment, which guide research under the One Ocean Hub. While governments continue to discuss the implications of the international recognition of this right for their action on human rights and the environment, the UN System has already expressed commitments to step up work in this area. Notably, the UN Secretary-General's 2020 'Call to Action for Human Rights' recognises that 'the climate emergency threatens the rights and dignity not only of millions of people worldwide but also of people not yet born,' and is advancing work on environmental human rights defenders and children's rights to a healthy environment, among others. The One Ocean Hub is contributing to these efforts, by integrating evidence and insights on the role of the ocean and ocean defenders in the protection of the human right to a healthy environment. Prof Morgera had been invited to contribute to a virtual preparatory policy dialogue in February 2022, and was invited to provide a keynote introduction, following remarks by the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, for a break-out group on the scope and content of the human right to a healthy environment. She highlighted the following points: - The scope of the human right to a healthy environment should be understood comprehensively, because of the indivisibility of human rights that are inter-dependent from an inter-connected environment (living and non-living organisms, be they human or otherwise. A comprehensive scope is necessary to tackle the inter-linked global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and toxics, and to understand the multiple contributions of the ocean to the water and carbon cycle, as well as to life and well-being on land. - The recent synthesis of evidence on the inter-dependencies of human health and biodiversity, for instance, provides clear evidence of the multiple levels of dependencies with a healthy environment, from the microbial level to the planetary one, including the implications of international wildlife trade and habitat loss for the global COVID-19 pandemic. - The content of the human right to a healthy environment is based on existing international obligations - in other words, the human right to a healthy environment is not a new right. The content is clear as described in decades of legal interpretation over time and by different international bodies, so the human right to a healthy environment provides a short & unequivocal label for these international normative developments. - The human right to a healthy environment is also relevant to international cooperation, such as international negotiations on a new treaty on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, a new plastics treaty, and deep-seabed regulations; - The human right to a healthy environment is also relevant for business due diligence to demonstrate business responsibility to respect human rights. Guidance adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the work of various UN Special Rapporteurs, have already translated relevant international obligations into clear standards of conduct for business, although more could be done to clarify the obligations of specific business sectors in relation to human rights and a healthy ocean. - The international legal meaning of the right to a healthy environment has been clarified by way of treaty interpretation. It brings together the existing "due diligence" obligations in international environmental law and the law with relevant international human rights standards, thereby clarifying the minimum content (procedurally and substantively) of State conduct. In other words, the meaning of the human right to a healthy environment is to systematically integrate existing international obligations human rights & environmental protection (including specific concerns related to climate change, biodiversity, toxics and the marine environment) in all public decisions - legislation, budgeting, policy-making and planning and environmental assessments. In this context, international human rights standards call for specific attention to certain individuals and groups, such as indigenous peoples, small-scale fishers, women, children, persons with disabilities, which means that these public decisions need be based not only on integrated evidence base, but also on disaggregated data on actual and potential human rights impacts. - The 'value- added' of the human right to a healthy environment, beyond that provided by existing universal rights is supporting more clearly acomprehensive approach to all human rights protection in as far as they depend on a healthy environment. This helps to identify opportunities for policy coherence, with a view to producing co-benefits & contributing to multiple SDG. This is a crucial value added for programmatic and capacity-building purposes: for supporting governments and civil society in taking better (more integrated and inclusive) decisions upfront on the conservation and sustainable use of the environment, and through that pooling together data, resources and expertise across public authorities (environment, health, etc) that are currently working in (relative, at best) isolation from one another. In addition, the perspective of children's human rights to a healthy environment supports public authorities to implement inter-generational equity, by emphasizing the importance of longer-time frames for assessing potential impacts of different decisions on the environment. - The right to a healthy environment can be effectively claimed by rights-holders around the world by: focusing on the creation of enabling conditions for the consideration of the inter-dependence of human rights and a healthy environment (including a healthy ocean) to be a regular practice, leading to widespread "everyday" accountability and shared leadership; bridging communities of practice (at the international level and at the national level) into new alliances that support mutual learning and support across environmental management and human rights protection; integrating natural and social sciences evidence base, to fully understanding environmental vulnerabilities and their impacts on the human rights of different individuals and groups, as well as developing full cognisance of knowledge gaps (such as the ecosystem services of the deep seas and their importance for human and planetary well-being - see here and here); adopting arts-based approaches to tap on the potential of cultural rights to support the protection of other human rights, to support connections to different world views, knowledge systems and cultures, and more transformative consultations and assessment processes. The recognition of the right to a healthy environment by the UN General Assembly would make a difference by: 1) supporting even more synergies and mutual learning across UN bodies that work on the environment, the ocean and human rights; 2) supporting engagement of governments with multiple UN-led global science processes (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), UN World Ocean Assessment, Global Chemical Outlook) with a view to assessing in an integrated manner the human rights implications of these assessments, taken together; and 3) provide annual stocktaking (supporting multi-stakeholder iterative learning) of progress made at different levels on the protection of the human right to a healthy environment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/making-progress-on-the-international-recognition-of-the-human-right-to-a-hea... |
| Description | Phys Org: 'Scientists urge quick, deep, sweeping changes to halt and reverse dangerous biodiversity loss' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Lynne Shannon was interviewed by the online publication about biodiversity loss. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://phys.org/news/2022-01-scientists-urge-quick-deep-halt.html?fbclid=IwAR1lz038Fil5y-DE3O6MfJ8h... |
| Description | Planning workshop with small-scale fishers from Papendorp and Ebenhaeser, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub reseracher, Professor Merle Sowman, organised a workshop with small-scale fishers from Papendorp and Ebenhaeser on 25th November 2021. The purposes of the workshop were to a) plan approach to appealing Environmental Authorisation of prospecting adjacent to Olifants estuary, 2) clarify list of bona fide fishers for the revised rights verification process and 3) expand catch monitoring program. Workshop was attended by about 30 fishers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Podcast on children's rights and the ocean |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In this episode of the Hub Podcast, Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic talks to early-career researchers Sophie Shields (One Ocean Hub/ Inspiring Children's Futures, University of Strathclyde, UK) and Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), about children's right to be heard on the ocean-climate nexus, ocean literacies and why literacies, plural, is both intended and needed, the General Comment No 26 on children's human rights and a healthy environment, as discussed their two new joint publications, and summarised in two recent policy briefs |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-podcast/ |
| Description | Podcast on gender and the ocean - featuring early-career researchers Aphiwe Moshani and Buhle Francis |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In the fourth episode of the Hub's podcast series, focusing on gender and the ocean, Knowledge Exchange Associate Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK) speaks to early-career researchers and the British Council Scotland SGSAH EARTH Scholarship winners, Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) and Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) about their research in South Africa. They talk about women's knowledge of the ocean, their distinctive ocean-related practices, including seaweed harvesting, and the challenges they face, from experiencing and witnessing climate change, to their struggle to ensure gender equality in the context of the blue economy. The podcast guests also share their own complex experiences as women conducting ocean research in the Global South. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/podcast-on-gender-and-the-ocean-featuring-early-career-researchers-aphiwe-mo... |
| Description | Podcast on the ocean-climate nexus |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In our latest podcast, early-career researchers Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth/ South African National Biodiversity Institute) and Mitchell Lennan (University of Aberdeen) are guiding us through the notions of the ocean-climate nexus and human rights, which is the topic of the Hub-led special issue in the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law journal. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-podcast/ |
| Description | Podcast: Women of the Sea Part 2 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The second part of Episode 4 'Women of the sea', where two South African scholars and activists Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Aphiwe Moshani (University of Cape Town, South Africa) who are Hub early-career researchers and winners of the British Council Scotland Earth Scholarships. They discussed Buhle's work undertaking pioneering collaborative research at the nexus of environmental justice, gender equality, ocean livelihoods, and inclusivity in ocean-related decision-making processes. Aphiwe also discussed the new Learning Pathway they are creating for the One Ocean Learn platform, which focuses on the interlinkages of the ocean, culture and cultural heritage and explores the cultural values, history, heritage, and Indigenous and local knowledge systems related to the ocean. Hosted by Dr Milica Prokic (University of Strathclyde, UK). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-podcast/ |
| Description | Policy Lates: Why Protect Ocean Biodiversity? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera was invited by the Royal Society of Biology to present on "an integrated international regulatory framework for the ocean: challenges and the potential of transdisciplinary research to contribute" as part of its Policy Lates webinar on the importance of marine biodiversity on 16 November 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q1bBob0q6I |
| Description | Policy Presentation Workshop on blue Carbon in Namibia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub research team in Namibia organised a policy presentation in August 2023, where Hub researcher Simon Elwen (University of Namibia, Namibia) gave a presentation. The presentation focused on introducing the concept of "blue carbon" and carbon credits to stakeholders through the presentation of the draft literature review work that Identifies knowledge and data gaps in the literature review work. The presentation generated a better understanding of the state of Blue Carbon projects Assess interest in developing this work further within Namibia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Port Elizabeth Deep Sea Angling Club (PEDSAC) bottom fish species competition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A One Ocean Hub's early career researcher, Alex Winkler, in partnership with PEDSAC (Port Elizabeth Deep Sea Angling club) collaborated to promote pro- environmental behavioural intervention on deep sea anglers (including improved competition rules to minimise impact, improved CatchRlease (C&R) behaviour, education drive). Alex Winkler research include baseline and follow-up surveys of knowledge, attitudes and practice, comparisons of C&R behaviour before and after intervention, behavioural and economic comparison of more sustainable competitions. Following the intervention, the PEDSAC bottom fish species competition annual competition is exclusively catch and release except for a few species. The competition invoved 150 participants. Changes have been made to the boats and downriggers to improve release technique. As a result of this conservation ethic, sponsors have doubled. Content about the competition was disseminated on Whatsapp groups to further advocate pro-environmental behaviour. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Pre-Climate COP27: Ocean and Climate Action: Adaptation and Resilience Practices and Tools Clinic |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub co-organized the 'Ocean and Climate Action: Adaptation and Resilience Practices and Tools Clinic' on 30 August 2022. This was a COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion live-event for Africa Climate Week, which was co-organised by the Global Ocean Forum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The event served as an interactive training and experience-sharing session during which experts discuss innovative ocean-based climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives with attendees. Lessons were identified and reviewed with the attendees, including possible pathways for improvement. Panelists at the event included Dr. Indumathie Hewawasam, Global Ocean Forum; Dr. Nayrah Shaltout, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt; Dr. Flower Msuya, Zanzibar Seaweed Cluster Initiative (ZaSCI) and the Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). At the event, Hub Deputy Director Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) provided an overview of Hub research in Algoa Bay (South Africa), including restoration initiatives undertaken by colleagues at Nelson Mandela University. The process and considerations required for success of the ecosystem restoration include considering urban drainage systems, biomimicry, inclusive decision making and tools for monitoring. Dr Snow stressed that it is essential to take an inclusive approach when tackling climate change because inclusivity links to stewardship. Inclusion brings in lived realities and local solutions for climate change adaptation. It also enables different stakeholders to work together to foster resilience in the face of increased natural disasters. Dr Snow further noted that ecosystem restoration is an important approach to tackle climate change because ecosystems provide essential services, both at the local and global level. Many essential ecosystems such as rivers, estuaries, and coastlines are severely impacted by increasing urbanization, pollution, ecosystem destruction, thereby weakening natural protection against severe climate impacts. Restoring these ecosystems, builds resilience, and if designed right (collaboratively), tackles poverty and human health issues. Read key messages delivered by Dr Bernadette Snow in a blogpost here: https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/#:~:text=COP27%20is%20fast%20approaching%20(8,co%2Dproducing%20pathways%20for%20resilience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/#:~:text=COP27%20is%20fast%20approaching%20(8,c... |
| Description | Pre-Climate COP27: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Climate Conference Africa Climate Week |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Hub Director was invited to participate in UNFCCC Africa Climate Week Session 6: Harnessing nature for transformative adaptation in Africa on 31st August 2022. The UNFCCC co-hosted the event along with the Gabonese Republic. The Africa Climate Week brought together a broad range of stakeholders to drive climate action across countries, communities, and economies. At the event, Dr Snow explored how best can the gaps between research and practice for nature-based solutions be bridged to facilitate transformative adaptation and resilience in Africa. She also illustrated to what extent there are known limits to nature-based solutions and cost-benefit analyses, and what potential they have to inform the integration of nature-based solutions into planning and implementation. This session brought together various speakers including Ms. Doreen Nyanjura, Deputy Lord Mayor, Kampala, Uganda; Dr. Meggan Spires, Director of Climate Change, Energy & Resilience, ICLEI Africa; Ms. Alice Estelle Nkongo Nchare, Technical Assistant, Africa Climate Change Adaptation Technical Assistant - WWF Cameroon; Mr. Roland Hunter, Senior Sourcing Manager - Nature-based Solutions, Africa; Mr. Richard Matey, Executive Director Alliance for Empowering Rural Communities; Harrison Nnoko Ngaaje, Co-founder and Executive President, NGO - Nature Based Solutions. The recording of the event can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3KQtGM8 (FR) and here: https://bit.ly/3KQHKVT (ENG). Read key messages conveyed by Dr Bernadette Snow at the event here: https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/#:~:text=COP27%20is%20fast%20approaching%20(8,co%2Dproducing%20pathways%20for%20resilience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/sailing-to-the-climate-cop27/#:~:text=COP27%20is%20fast%20approaching%20(8,c... |
| Description | Preliminary Findings for discussion Fishers Survey in Durban |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology in Durban, South Africa) presented her research which was collected through surveys with Durban fishers on south and north piers and at the harbour. The research aimed to inform people about the regulatory frameworks for small-scale fisheries in South Africa and for the Law Reform process with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) established Task Team. A final report was made available in Feb and preliminary findings were presented to the KwaZulu Natal Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum (KZNSFF) and the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment in November with the Legal Resource Centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/ih6iqg7dqb2dag0ber8v3pekfp |
| Description | Preparing for the 2023 UN Climate Conference (COP28) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Following the establishment of the much-anticipated mandate to integrate the ocean into all areas of work under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the 26th Conference of Parties in Glasgow (COP26) in November 2021, and encouragement for countries to implement national ocean-based climate action under the Paris Agreement in 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh (COP27), this blog post reflects on our engagements with the UN Climate process in preparation for the next UN Climate Conference (30 November-12 December 2023). The following sections cover: the ocean-related developments at the Bonn Climate Conference 5-15 June 2023, including the Hub's involvement in the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue held on 13-14 June; a reflection on the Chairs' report of the 2023 Ocean-Climate Dialogue; and our plans for COP28 in Dubai. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/preparing-for-the-2023-un-climate-conference-cop28/ |
| Description | Presentation at Community of Practice: Towards a Marine Spatial Plan for Algoa Bay Stakeholder Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub early career researcher Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) presented her research with Dr Nina Rivers and Dr Berny Snow on the "Cultural seascape in Algoa Bay" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.algoabayproject.com/one-ocean-hub |
| Description | Presentation at a course in which VEGA School collaborated with Green Connections |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub's researcher Dr Dylan McGarry gave a presentation on his work with the Hub and Lalela Ulwandle at a course co-organised by VEGA, tertiary education institution in South Africa, and Green Connections, a Civil Society Organization that works to advocate social and environmental justice in Africa who has launched in 2020 a campaign to protect our oceans for future generations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Press release re Minister Creecy's approval of oil and gas |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a press release regarding Minister Creecy's approval of oil and gas. Hub researcher Dr Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa) is named as the contact person from Coastal Justice Network in this press release |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.masifundise.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Press-Statement-Fisher-cooperatives-denounce-... |
| Description | Protecting small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub early career researcher, Julia Nakamura, was invited by the Indonesian national research organisation, Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN), to contribute to an online discussion panel on "Climate change and small-scale fisheries (SSF)" on 23rd September 2022. The event was part of the contribution by BRIN to the 2022 International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. At the event, Julia Nakamura explored how international law, including non-binding instruments such as the 2014 Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) and the 2018 UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP), protect small-scale fishers in the context of climate change and related issues impacting coastal areas and fisheries resources. She emphasised that the SSF Guidelines call upon States and non-State actors to develop climate change policies and plans in full consultation with fishing communities, and to make available transparent access to adaptation funds. She also underscored UNDROP provisions that recognise the right of small-scale fishers to participate in the design and implementation of climate change policies, including through the respectful integration of their traditional knowledge, and their right to adequate training that covers climate change issues and weather-related events. She also reported that often climate change laws and policies do not expressly mention fisheries and rarely small-scale fisheries, with few fisheries policies (e.g. Gambia) addressing climate change. She noted that small-scale fisheries are normally linked with coastal, vulnerable, local or traditional communities in relation to adaptation measures (e.g., Kenya, Brazil). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-in-the-face-of-climate-change/ |
| Description | Providing inputs to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights on State obligations at the ocean-climate nexus |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the One Ocean Hub have made a Submission to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, to provide inputs into the development of its advisory opinion to clarify State obligations at the ocean-climate nexus. This blog post explains what the Inter-American Court was requested to consider questions on climate obligations, and the key points made in the joint submission by the UWI and the Hub. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-the-inter-american-court-on-human-rights-in-clarifying-state... |
| Description | RSE Saltire workshop: "Towards a new European approach to the sea: stewarding marine resources for equitable ABS and global governance" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera, was invited to present at the RSE Saltire workshop on11-12 October 2022 -Towards a new European approach to the sea: stewarding marine resources for equitable Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and global governance. Prof Morgera presentation titled "Supporting ocean knowledge co-production for transformative change in the BBNJ Agreement" took place on 12 October 2022. Morgera discussed the subject of ocean knowledge co-production through, among others, recognising its human rights aspects. Facilitation of local and international learning was analysed in relation to the One Ocean Hub initiative (funded by a UKRI Global Challenge Award). It was recognised that in some instances, cultural rights and environmental rights issues may overlap with the objective of preserving and facilitating sustainability in marine biodiversity. Thus, thinking about ocean cultural heritage, human rights and environmental rights, could bring new insights and potential solutions to the debate. The focus, however, should be on co-production and co-creation of knowledge for fair and equitable policymaking. The final paragraph of the event report made reference to the Hub art-based methodologies for transdisciplinarity. To quote the paragraph: "Some of the interconnected perspectives included harmonising science practices; regional BBNJ data to enable environmental management at meaningful ecological scale; contributing to climate change mitigation; participatory governance; and advancing ocean science, among many others. The subject of good standards and common practices was also a common theme underpinning many conversations throughout the workshop, with a focus on setting parameters without limiting options, mitigating the undesirable practices, challenging the unconscious bias and recognising the need for truly global perspectives, but also recognising that in practice, there is the fear of implementing agreements that would 'overstep' the scientific communities, and that standards on sampling, collection, sending etc., are generally harder to agree among delegations. While discussing the Song of the Ocean in different languages and translations, art was recognised as a great tool for pushing the boundaries of science. The value of indigenous knowledge and equitable ways of including traditional knowledge holders via art-based research was well illustrated by current ongoing initiatives in One Ocean Hub." The event brought together academics and representatives of European Commission and government delegations to the Intergovernmental Conference on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.skaje.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/RSE-3-workshop-abstracts-and-titles-final-2.pdf |
| Description | Radio interview Netai en Namou Toc Radio Vanuatu |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "On 3 September 2022, Helen Naupa and Anna Naupa of the Erramango Cultural Association was interviewed by Madline Lalim Netvunei of Radio Vanuatu. Led by the Erromango Cultural Association in Vanuatu, the project Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) foregrounds indigenous knowledge of the sea through an illustrated children's book. The community-led art-based research project Netai en Namou Toc (Stories of Mother Ocean) was showcased at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at Climate Conference COP27, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt on 17 November 2022. The project also resulted in paid employment and training and promotion of transdiciplinary research practice in Vanuatu." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Rapid Reaction Seminar COP26 - Structure and questions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited to contribute to a "Rapid Reaction Seminar on COP26" organized by Wageningen University to critically reflect on the significance and outcomes of COP26 related to nature-based solutions and human rights on 19 November 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.wur.nl/nl/nieuws/2nd-Rapid-Reaction-Seminar-Nov-19-The-COP-26-UN-Climate-Change-Conferen... |
| Description | Real life on the 'dolosse' (South Africa) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A local newspaper in South Africa 'IOL', published an article on The Fishers' Tales art exhibition at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts (KZNSA) art gallery on 12 March 2022. The Fishers' Tales exhibition was on display at the art gallery, open for viewing from 2 March until 3 April 2022. The Fishers' Tales exhibition provided a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban. The history of fishing in KwaZulu-Natal is where the Fishers' Tales art exhibition originates. The featured artists went down to Durban's South Beach and continued along the coast until Blue Lagoon and spoke to local fisherman. They looked into the history of the diverse people who live along this coastal province, the daily moments captured by the artists offers insight into these experiences, connecting with the ocean, and the complex permitting regulations that impacts negatively on the livelihoods of fishers' and their ability to practice fishing as part of their cultural heritage. The exhibition was funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme Fund. It was carried out in partnership with Durban University of Technology Urban Futures Centre, South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, and Glasgow School of Art. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/real-life-on-the-dolosse-ab2b9754-48c3-47ca-84c6-a78e65e6107b |
| Description | Recognising marine cultural heritage in ocean governance: the case of Algoa Bay and uThukela MPA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The South African Research Chair (SARCHI) in Ocean Cultures and Heritage hosted a conference titled " Water Ways: An International Conference on Human Relations with the Sea" which was hosted from the 22 to 23 September 2023, at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. Hub ECRs Mia Strand, Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) and Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) presented on research that formed part of Mia Strands PhD study. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://och.mandela.ac.za/Events/Conferences/Water-Ways-An-International-Conference-on-Human-R |
| Description | Reflecting on IMPAC5 and the need to prioritise Indigenous and community-led marine protection |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Hub early career researchers, Dr Nina Rivers and Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, UK) attended IMPAC5, a global forum that brings together ocean conservation professionals and high-level officials to inform, inspire and act on marine protected areas on 3-9 February 2023, Vancouver, Canada. The conference, took place on the unceded territory of the x?m??k??y??m (Musqueam), S?wx_wú7mesh (Squamish), and s?lilw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations in Vancouver, Canada. It was aimed to provide a platform for the global community to come together to chart a course for achieving ocean conservation targets such as protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. It also aimed to "bring together Indigenous Peoples and cultures from around the world to embrace a collaborative approach and learn from Indigenous leadership in ocean conservation". For more information read Dr Nina Rivers and Mia Strand's blog post that offer their personal reflections about the global forum here: https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-impac5-and-the-need-to-prioritise-indigenous-and-community-led-marine-protection/. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-impac5-and-the-need-to-prioritise-indigenous-and-community-led... |
| Description | Reflecting on the Squid season and Eastern Cape fisher cooperative experience, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub researchers who are part of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) including Buhle Francis, Taryn Pereira and Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University) organised an Eastern Cape Small-Scale Fishers (SSF) Workshop on 10-12 November 2021 . The theme of the workshop was "Reflecting on the Squid season and Eastern Cape fisher cooperative experience." The CJN has supported Eastern Cape SSF co-operatives to respond to efforts by the industrial squid fishing association to take away their rights to fish. The efforts of the industrial association was unsuccessful, partly due to the CJN work with SSF to lodge their appeals. Prior to this workshop, on 6th July 2021, the South African government announced a change to the allocations, allowing SSF to catch squid once again. In the second week of November, 26 small scale fisher leaders from the 13 co-operatives along the southern Eastern Cape coastline (from Cold Stream to Kei Mouth), along with other Coastal Justice Network members, gathered at the Fish River resort near Port Alfred. The idea for this workshop emerged from Hub researchers discussions with small-scale fishers (SSF) leaders in the southern regions of the Eastern Cape who were all facing similar challenges. The objectives of the workshop were to reflect on the past 2 years since the Eastern Cape co-operatives were given their rights, to share advice and lessons learnt particularly related to the squid sector, abalone ranching, seaweed harvesting, MPAs and the threats of offshore oil and gas, and to build solidarity and shared visions for the future of the SSF sector. The gathering was opened with a memorial for all of the small scale fishers who have passed away since the co-operatives were formed in late 2019/2020. On the second day of the workshop, the workshop was joined by officials from South Africa Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries as well as a colleague from Abalobi, a South African-based, global social enterprise. Government officials who attended the meeting include Mr Vuyisani Jozana, from the Small-Scale Fisheries Directorate, and Mr. Siya Dlulisa, Director of Marine Protected Area Directorate of the South Africa Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF). The small scale fishers presented on the status of their co-operatives, their achievements and challenges, and then the officials responded. The following actions were agreed upon during the workshop: 1. DFFE to communicate the date for the Marine Protected Area forum on the 29th November to 2nd December 2021 and invited SSF leaders to come to the forum. 2. SSF leaders should coordinate amongst themselves to discuss who needs training and for what, and advise DFFE about how training should be rolled out. 3. DFFE departments to strategise better around how SSF is to participate in decision making - DFFE to better coordinate these efforts to ensure less burden is placed on the SSF sector. 4. DFFE SSF directorate to provide feedback on seaweed permits and maps of where small scale seaweed harvesting can take place 5. DFFE SSF directorate to provide feedback on the SASMIA (industrial fishing association) appeal 6. DFFE plus other support organisations - work together to provide more ongoing support / advice / training opportunities for SSF 7. Coastal Justice Network to consult legal resource centre (LRC) about a way forward regarding human rights abuses and fronting. 8. DFFE to investigate post-Covid budget recovery to restore budget for 27 boats that was promised 9. DFFE to go and consult beneficiaries in Hamburg from the Abalone experiment - about the financial benefit going to the fisheries co-operatives. On the final day of the event, workshop participants learnt about the proposed Shell seismic surveys coming to the Wild Coast on the 1st of December 2021, and the comments period for the CGG seismic survey to start along the southern Eastern Cape coast between Gqeberha and Mossel Bay. Fishers observed with frustration and anger that the location of the seismic surveys overlapped with their fishing territories, and with the spawning and migration routes of many of the species they depend upon, as well as others that are crucial for the entire ecosystems that they are a part of. Members of the CJN developed posters expressing resistance to these oil and gas explorations. As a direct result of the 'Reflecting on the Squid season' workshop on the 2nd December 2021 members of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) and representatives of small-scale fisheries co-operatives attended the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries's Marine Protected Area Forum: 'Calling for true co-management of Marine Protected Areas' in East London, South Africa. The forum was attended by South African government officials, scientists and representatives of civil society organisations. See the full story about the workshop here: https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/southern-ec-ssf-workshop-10-12-november-2021/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20210706/281479279404569 |
| Description | Reflecting on the range of views submitted to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea on Climate Change |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | After 30 years of science on the ocean-climate nexus, 2023 is to be remembered as the year when the international community has scaled up climate change action to the level of international courts and tribunals. Three requests for an Advisory Opinion have been submitted to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In addition, three climate-focused applications are now jointly pending before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-the-range-of-views-submitted-to-the-international-tribunal-on-... |
| Description | Reflections on COP26 and Implications for the Law of the Sea |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub early career researcher, Mitchell Lennan (University of Strathclyde), was invited to deliver a presentation as part of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea Alumni Conversations, Reflections on COP26 and Implications for the Law of the Sea, on 25 November 2021. Mitchell Lennan discussed about his experiences during COP26 and the outcome for the oceans. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.itlos.org/en/ |
| Description | Reflections on the Dubai Climate Change Conference (COP28) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This blog post explores the significance for the ocean of the outcomes of the UN Climate COP28, held in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023. It provides some reflections on the outcomes of COP28, with a focus on loss and damage, the Global Stocktake, and children's human rights, and concludes with an outlook for future Hub activities at the ocean-climate nexus. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflections-on-the-dubai-climate-change-conference-cop28/ |
| Description | Regional Ocean Acidification: North East Atlantic and the North Sea |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | On 5 November 2021 One Ocean Hub researcher, Dr Sebastian Hennige (University of Edinburgh), was invited to deliver a presentation to policymakers on ocean acidification in North East Atlantic and the North Sea within the Cryosphere Pavilion at COP26 Blue Zone. This high level event was organised by Plymouth Marine Laboratory and was attended by academics and policymakers including Bill Turrell from Marine Scotland, UK; Yuri Artioli from Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK; Richard Bellerby from Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Norway; and Jessie Turner from the Ocean Acidification Alliance. The event was attended by 20 in person attendees and 100 online attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVQeJVTSFV4 |
| Description | Regional Workshop on small-scale fisheries and the Blue Economy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Hub hosted a Regional Workshop on small-scale Fisheries (SSF) and the Blue Economy with 35 fishers and NGO/research partners. Hub researchers Merle Swoman and Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa) gave presentations at the workshop. The workshop provided an overview of the Draft of Marine Special Planning (MSP) Sector Plans - building community capacity to engage in the MSP process, and preparing a submission of comments on the MSP process and draft sector plans for the 10th May 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Research symposium with Global Network for Human Rights and Environment (GNHRE) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The research symposium was organised by Hub researchers based at Rhodes University including Taryn Pereira, Dr Dylan McGarry, Buhle Francis and Anna James, in partnership with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) on 8 September 2021. The symposium provided a space for Hub researchers to share their work with coastal environmental defenders in South Africa, to connect into wider networks of support of environmental and human rights defenders. The symposium was planned after Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira were invited to participate in the GNHRE / UNEP winter/summer school in 2021, and as part of the researchers efforts to develop a European Research Council (ERC) consolidator grant called 'Shifting Tides: Partnerships with Ocean Defenders for Transformative Governance' (still in development). The symposium included three broad presentations, followed by discussions: 1. 'The Coastal Justice Network and Empatheatre: where or how we see this intertwined work developing in the future', Dr Dylan McGarry, Taryn Pereira, Anna James, Buhle Francis (Rhodes University) and Dr Kira Erwin ( Durban University of Technology) 2. 'Sharing perspectives on the ways in which international environmental human rights frameworks can come into closer relationship with local environmental human rights defenders social movement organisations', Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde) 3. 'The work of the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, around epistemic justice, inclusion of indigenous people in environmental decision making, dignity and environmental human rights defenders', Dr Dina Lupin, Director of GNHRE. Other participants include: Dr. Dina Lupin, Director of the GNHRE. She is also a researcher in the project "Giving groups a proper say", supported by the Austrian Science Fund and hosted at the Department of Philosophy at the University of Vienna. Dina is also a consultant specialising in environmental law, Indigenous peoples' rights, gender and legal theory. Dr. Louisa Parks, Associate Professor of Political Sociology at the University of Trento's School of International Studies. Her research focuses on environmental governance at multiple levels, citizen participation and its potential for substantive democracy in governance, social movement campaigns and their impacts, including on the policies of the European Union. Tinashe Mawere, Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender at University of Pretoria, South Africa has been writing about the gendering of nature and its impact on agency (see https://www.csagup.org/2020/12/13/our-home-and-our-mother-the-gendering-of-nature-in-climate-change-discourses/) Nina Barnett, a South African artist currently working on a PhD project proposal on water in Johannesburg (not oceans but developing a very interesting approach to art-making & social science methodology). This symposium further developed and deepened the HUb working partnership with GNHRE which enables important pan African and international networking opportunities for the Coastal Justice Network (CJN). It also provided the space for South African CJN researchers to develop a greater understanding of Professor Elisa Morgera and Dr Elaine Webster's work in the context of international environmental human rights frameworks. This year, CJN researchers and coastal defenders from the CJN have been invited to participate in the UNEP and GNHRE summer/winter school 2022 panel discussions and to share video messages with other environmental defenders around the world. Hub researchers Dr Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira are working on a paper with Dr Dina Lupin, entitled 'Taking our time: consultation and indigenous storytelling in South Africa', which has been accepted for the University of Southampton 'Law and Humanities' roundtable in July 2022. Dr Dina Lupin and Dr Louisa Parks have assisted in the Hub's ERC grant development as reviewers. Recording of the symposium could be seen here (Access Passcode: b$^qr+0K): https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/1_ja0YD1Vs0M19UhP_qnfj85k9A1TuDUMNif46_OYd9vvN8EbvszgiEaIWYbPSGD.wdpz-pZ2zPZaLQaF |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://gnhre.org/ |
| Description | Roundtable on WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 31 March 2023, the Hub organized for the IYAFA Closing an event titled "Roundtable on the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fisheries." The roundtable provided an opportunity to discuss the relevance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for the legal protection of small-scale fishers. The event considered: ? the documented negative impacts on small-scale fishers' human rights of harmful fisheries subsidies, ? potential negative impacts on them of subsidy removal, ? the need to consider the broader human rights implications of re-investing the funds that will become available from the elimination of fisheries subsidies into the protection of small-scale fishers' human rights. This event was co-organised by One Ocean Hub with the following panellists: 1. Nicole Franz or Ana (FAO) 2. Audun Lem (FAO Fisheries) 3. Mariana Toussaint (FAO Trade and Markets) 4. Blaise Kuemlangan (FAO Legal Office) 5. Yon Fernandez Larrinoa (FAO Indigenous Unit) 6. Mele Tauati (FAO) 7. Joseph Zelasney (FAO) 8. Maria Honig (WWF) 9. Elaine Webster (Strathclyde University/ One Ocean Hub 10. Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University/ One Ocean Hub) 11. Jamshid Gaziyev(UNSR on the Right to Food - team member) 12. Mitchell Lennan (Aberdeen University/ One Ocean Hub) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheri... |
| Description | Royal Society of Edinburgh Ocean and Us workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), has been invited to deliver a talk on "Local knowledge for a more equitable policy and governance" as part of the First Inaugural Online Workshop titled "What role for traditional knowledge in ocean governance?" which took place on 11 October 2023. This event was co-organised by Professor Abbe Brown (Law, University of Aberdeen, UK); Professor Marcel Jaspars (Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, UK); and Professor Michela Massimi (Philosophy, University of Edinburgh, UK) as part of a series of events for Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Network "Ocean and Us" (June 2023-May 2025). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.skaje.uk/about-ocean-and-us/ |
| Description | SAFER LAB has been selected to host the 11th World Recreational Fisheries Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Southern African Fisheries Ecology Research (SAFER) Lab, a working group under the leadership of Hub researcher, Prof. Warren Potts (Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, South Africa) has been awarded the rights to host the next World Recreational Fisheries Conference (WRFC) in 2026. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/safer-lab-has-been-awarded-rights-to-host-the-eleventh-world-recreational-fi... |
| Description | SDG 13 and 14 Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), was invited by Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future to be a speaker at their seventh webinar titled "Countdown to the 2023 SDG Summit" on 25th May. The webinar series was supported by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Union (EU) and the theme focused on how to enable integrated approaches to implementing SDGs. The seventh webinar focused on the implementation of SDGs 13 & 14 and recommendations for maximizing synergies and minimizing trade-offs with other SDGs. Prof Elisa Morgera was asked to deliver a presentation on SDG14, particularly recommendations on ways to strengthen the coherence of international regulatory frameworks that affect marine biodiversity, in particular, any transformative commitments, policies, science or partnerships that could help to manage these interlinkages and accelerate the implementation of Goal 14. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/contributing-to-stakeholders-preparations-for-the-sdg-summit/ |
| Description | SOUTH AFRICA Marine and Coastal Educators Network |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Kerry Sink showcased South Africa's new MPA network and introduced OOH at the Marine and Coastal Educators Network conference in January 2020. A key outcome of this engagement was the assertion by marine educators that they had no understanding of ecosystem diversity in the ocean. This led to a succesful flexible fund proposal to create the Mzansea marine education programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Schools tour of exhibition KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, Durban, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | "On 18 March 2022, Hub researcher, Dr Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, South Africa), organised the 'Schools tour of exhibition with Wild Oceans KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts', in Durban, South Africa. The event was organised as part of the Fishers' Tales exhibition. This public engagement invited schools in the vicinity of the gallery to join us as we discussed the exhibition, heard exciting fisher's tales from one of the Kwa Zulu Natal small-scale fishers leaders, and watched both Lalela Ulwandle and Blue Blanket. Two Schools attended and brought their environmental club members. It was a small but very rewarding session as these young scholars asked important questions and were interested to know how issues of social justice relate to Climate Change. Fishers' Tales exhibition at Kwa Zulu Natal Society of Arts Gallery ran from 2 March - 3 April 2022. Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. This project explores fishers' connections and emotional bonds to the ocean using a visual storytelling approach. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The Fishers' Tales exhibition also provides a platform to showcase the work done by young and emerging artists in Durban, as the project is specifically aimed to support creative students studying in the city. The Fishers' Tales project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). " |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-with-indigenous-knowledge-through-art-based-research-netai-en-nam... |
| Description | Science Shambles |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Prof Kerry Howell participated on Science Shambles (a podcast where world leading scientists just chat about science), on the topic of oceans and climate change. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKad9waxrLQ |
| Description | Science to Policy Workshop for Ecosystem Based Management- 22 to 24 August 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The workshop sought to share research and strengthen collaboration across five international projects and engage policymakers for improved policy uptake. It focused on five items: • Towards the Sustainable Development of the Atlantic Ocean | Mission Atlantic • iAtlantic: Health Of Deep-Sea And Open-Ocean Ecosystems Research • One Ocean Hub | Fair and inclusive decision-making for a healthy ocean • Home | AtlantECO • TRIATLAS - Tropical and South Atlantic climate-based marine ecosystem prediction for sustainable management (uib.no) The objectives of the 3-day workshop were: 1. Share research progress across international projects in the region (including Mission Atlantic, iAtlantic, One Ocean Hub, AtlantEco and TRIATLAS) 2. Strengthen collaborations across projects 3. Distil common understandings and recommendations 4. Engage with policymakers to discuss progress, challenges and opportunities to optimize the management of marine ecosystems 5. Shape current and future research and dissemination for science policy successes Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, South Africa), from the Coastal Justice Network, highlighted the critical importance of taking small-scale fisher rights and contributions into account in ocean decision making, and spoke about the ways in which the science-to-policy pipeline has excluded or misrepresented small-scale fisher knowledge in the past. They shared some of their research and methods for meaningful knowledge co-production and policy engagement with fishers and other coastal communities. Hub researcher Lynne Shannon (University of Cape Town, South Africa) delivered a keynote presentation titled "How to move local ecosystem research into the global biodiversity science-policy arena, and vice versa." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/connecting-science-policy-recommendations-across-ocean-research-projects/ |
| Description | Screening of "Coccooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers" documentary film, Joy News Channel (DSTV Channel 421, Ghana) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 28-29 January 2022 the documentary film titled "Cocooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers" was screened at Ghana's national TV channel namely Joy News Channel (DSTV Channel 421, Ghana). Cocooned in Harmony, a documentary film by Dr Eric Debrah Otchere (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), details how the songs of indigenous Ghanaian artisanal fisher-folk serve multiple purposes, ranging from providing reference points for coordinated activity to containing insights into issues of identity, power/inequality, agency, gender, and emotional connections to the ocean, among others. The documentary shows how through music, fishermen create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/cocooned-in-harmony-songs-of-ghanaian-artisanal-fishers/ |
| Description | Screening of "Cocooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers" (Fante version) film at Asokyebedzi, Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "On 2 August 2022 ""Cocooned in Harmony: Songs of Ghanaian Artisanal Fishers (Fante version)"" was screened within local communities at Asokyebedzi, Ghana. Cocooned in Harmony, a documentary film by Dr Eric Debrah Otchere (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), details how the songs of indigenous Ghanaian artisanal fisher-folk serve multiple purposes, ranging from providing reference points for coordinated activity to containing insights into issues of identity, power/inequality, agency, gender, and emotional connections to the ocean, among others. The documentary shows how through music, fishermen create and inhabit spaces where they find their (often sidelined) voice. The production of the documentary film was funded by the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement (DEEP) Fund. A short video of the community screenings has also been produced and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ " |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WL1b7VNXfQ |
| Description | Screening of the film 'Indlela Yokuphila' at the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival a resounding success |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 29 November 2023, Empatheatre's short animation film Indlela Yokuphila (Soul's Journey) was screened at the third Pacific Human Rights Film Festival organised by the Pacific Community, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand, the government of Sweden, the University of the South Pacific, and the Pacific Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The film was 'incredibly well received' according to the festival Director, at an event attended by over 200 people. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/screening-of-indlela-yokuphila-at-the-third-pacific-human-rights-film-festiv... |
| Description | Seaweed Harvesting workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In preparation for a paper she is co-authoring with others, Hub researcher Buhle Francis (Rhodes University, South Africa) held a workshop in Glasgow on seaweed harvesting in the Eastern Cape in May 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Shaping the Future of Ocean Research at University of Strathclyde |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub was entering its fifth and final year, it embarked on an exciting planning process for legacy strategies and solutions with its partners, interested individuals and organisations over the coming months. As part of the legacy planning process, the Hub organised an event Shaping the Future of Ocean Research at the University of Strathclyde on Tuesday, 2 May 2023, from 9:30 to 17:30. Hub research Elisa Morgera and Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK) delivered presentations at the event. The event showcased and shared learnings from the One Ocean Hub - from research to innovative methodologies and inspiring partnerships. The event engaged the University of Strathclyde staff and students; Hub's partner organisations such as the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, and BirdLife; potential funders; and other interested organisations and people to co-develop the future together for ocean research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/shaping-the-future-of-ocean-research-engage-event/ |
| Description | Shared Visions for Marine Planning: Insights from Israel, South Africa, and the UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | This interactive workshop was organized by Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Nelson Mandela University, and Liverpool Institute for Sustainable Coasts and Oceans (LISCO). The aim of the event was to understand the challenges of managing multiple marine users and to share best practice and latest research in marine spatial planning. The purpose of the symposium is to promote and understand the importance of interdisciplinary research in marine spatial planning. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://portman.net.technion.ac.il/upcoming-conference-sustainable-governance-and-management-of-coas... |
| Description | Sharing knowledge on protection of small-scale fishers' human rights in the face of climate change with the Indonesian national research organisation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | "Hub early-career researcher, Julia Nakamura, was invited by the Indonesian national research organisation, Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional, to contribute to an online discussion panel on "Climate change and small-scale fisheries" on 23 September 2022. The event was part of the contribution by BRIN to the 2022 International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. At the event, Julia Nakamura explored how international law, including non-binding instruments such as the 2014 Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) and the 2018 UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP), protect small-scale fishers in the context of climate change and related issues impacting coastal areas and fisheries resources. She emphasised that the SSF Guidelines call upon States and non-State actors to develop climate change policies and plans in full consultation with fishing communities, and to make available transparent access to adaptation funds. She also underscored UNDROP provisions that recognise the right of small-scale fishers to participate in the design and implementation of climate change policies, including through the respectful integration of their traditional knowledge, and their right to adequate training that covers climate change issues and weather-related events. She also reported that often climate change laws and policies do not expressly mention fisheries and rarely small-scale fisheries, with few fisheries policies (e.g. Gambia) addressing climate change. She noted that small-scale fisheries are normally linked with coastal, vulnerable, local or traditional communities in relation to adaptation measures (e.g., Kenya, Brazil). Against this background, she recommended effectively addressing climate change and preventing its negative impacts on small-scale fishers by protecting small-scale fishers': • Human right to life, property, tenure and culture (see also here)- all which are threatened by climate-related disasters such as sea level rise and extreme weather events; • Human right to adequate food, which is threatened in particular by the decrease in the availability of fish stocks, depletion of habitats and ecosystems; and • Human right to a healthy environment, which is threatened in particular by ocean warming, acidification and decrease in ecosystems services. Julia has been a key contributor to the Hub's partnerships with FAO, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and others during IYAFA (see here and here), including by: Co-authoring a Hub research paper on Small-scale fishers' human rights under the SSF Guidelines and UNDROP; Speaking on "the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers and their communities in the climate change context" at the 2022 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment hosted by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). See the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w . Co-developing an FAO e-learning course "Legal and policy considerations for sustainable small-scale fisheries." Contributing to The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law's Hub-led special issue on "Ocean-Based Action: The Ocean-Climate Nexus and Human Rights. Julia is co-authoring an article with Mitchell Lennan on the extent to which international law has addressed climate change and human rights in the context of small-scale fisheries, including role of regional fisheries management organisations. " |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-in-the-face-of-climate-change/ |
| Description | Sharing law and art-based research insights with UN Nippon Fellows |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | As part of our ongoing partnerships with the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, linked to the UN Nippon Fellowship Programme and capacity-building, Hub Director Elisa Morgera and Dr Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), gave a presentation on "Inter- and Trans-Disciplinary Approaches for the Transformative Application of International Marine Biodiversity and Human Rights Law" to the new cohort of UN Nippon Fellows at UN Headquarters in New York. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-law-and-art-based-research-insights-with-un-nippon-fellows/ |
| Description | Sharing transferable findings for a new WHO pandemic treaty |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub findings and policy recommendations related to fair partnerships in bio-based discovery were shared at an international workshop on current negotiations of a new international instrument on pandemics, to enhance preparedness and response and to support the sharing of pathogens, genetic sequence data and benefits, under the aegis of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited to act as discussant at a workshop organised on 25 November 2022 exploring options for such an international instrument, which was attended by the WHO Principal Legal Officer, a representative of the secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), and 29 country representatives. Building on research across the One Ocean Hub, Morgera underscored: the importance of a multilateral approach to fair and equitable benefit-sharing in different sectors, to ensure due attention to global objectives underpinning benefit-sharing; the need for specificity, iterative adaptation and long-term thinking when addressing equity and the flow of benefits to all the actors in the process; the usefulness of defining multilaterally global criteria for fairness and equity of benefits-sharing, noting how the WHO Pandemic Influence Preparedness (PIP) Framework provides specific equity criteria in terms of public health risks and need; the need to shift from technology transfer and capacity building as a one-way street from the Global North to the Global South towards technology co-development and mutual capacity; a process to address explicitly the inequities in knowledge production that translate into inequities in response to public health crises; and the opportunity to ensure participatory governance through multilateral advisory bodies, such as a possible "benefits committee" under a new pandemic treaty, that: includes broad representation of different actors (private innovators, researchers in the Global South, database managers); provides a venue for learning and adapting the benefit-sharing system to the changing needs of its participants and the evolving understanding of fairness in the sector; and supports co-development of solutions by these actors, that could then be presented to States as part of a treaty-based monitoring and review process. These proposals represented transferable research findings drawing from on the One Ocean Hub policy briefs addressed to UN negotiations on the new treaty on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (see here and here), as well as Hub research on marine bio-discovery, and an earlier study for the European Commission on the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing by Hub researchers Stephanie Switzer and Morgera (Strathclyde University). The workshop was co-organised by the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea and the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response (comprising also Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates). The intergovernmental body negotiating a future international pandemic treaty will deliver a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim to adopt the instrument by 2024. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/sharing-transferable-findings-for-a-new-who-pandemic-treaty/ |
| Description | Shedding light on children's rights to environmental education and to healthy biodiversity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | As part of the One Ocean Hub's partnership with CERI (the international Children's Environmental Rights Initiative), Hub Director Elisa Morgera contributed to two further thematic consultations on children's right education and on the inter-dependency of children's human rights with biodiversity in July-August 2022. The consultations served to support the preparation of the "zero draft" of a new UN General Comment on Children's rights and the environment, with a focus on climate change, which is due to be released for public comment in October 2022. On 27th July 2022, Prof Morgera participated in a virtual thematic consultation on children's right to education, which included human rights experts, members of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and drafters of the General Comment. Discussions focused on the importance of children's human right to environmental education for children's rights to be heard and have access to justice in environmental matters. Participants discussed the challenges of ensuring holistic environmental and sustainable development education, of preventing discrimination and effectively nurturing children's leadership as agents of change, and of including in national legislation key requirements for environmental education. Prof Morgera shared inputs from across the Hub on the need to: integrate the ocean as part of the inter-connected climate change, biodiversity and toxics crises in children's environmental education, with a view to effectively supporting the exercise of children's procedural rights in ocean-related decision-making processes; decolonise ocean literacy and environmental education (particularly on the marine environment-culture nexus), with a view to preventing discrimination vis-à-vis children from different cultural backgrounds, worldviews and life experiences; integrate ocean culture and arts in children's environmental education, with a view to supporting the exercise of their procedural rights to contribute to transformative change (see also Hub's submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights); consider the role of education in supporting also children's human right to benefit from science and participate in scientific endeavours, so that children's needs can inform research priorities, including in the context of the UN Decade for Ocean Science and climate finance; ensure that environmental education does not perpetuate misinformation (including business-led misinformation such as on ocean plastics, etc) and the role of business responsibility to respect children's human rights in gathering and sharing information; clarify States' duty to cooperate internationally to support and fund decolonial environmental education and ocean literacy, as well as put in place other measures to support children's procedural rights as agents of change also in international processes. On 16th August 2022, Prof Morgera also co-organised with CERI a thematic consultation on biodiversity and children's rights, which included former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment John Knox, one of the drafters of the General Comment, and a representative of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (who sits on the Hub's Advisory Board) among others. Prof Morgera co-wrote the discussion paper for the consultation, which drew from her 2020 report to the European Parliament on biodiversity as a human rights, as well as Hub's policy brief on children's rights to a healthy ocean and the impacts on their rights arising from ocean plastics. Prof Morgera also delivered an introductory presentation on the importance of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea for the protection of children's human rights. As part of the discussion, she recommended that the UN General Comment clarify States' obligations to: -refrain from carrying out or permitting activities that may lead to terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity loss resulting in foreseeable infringements of children's rights to life, survival, development, health, culture and play; - establish and maintain substantive non-regressive and precautionary measures on terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity that include the best interests of the child as a primary consideration/informed by disaggregated data on impacts on children; - use maximum available resources to prevent biodiversity loss and degradation and its negative impacts on children's human rights; - integrate child-specific considerations in strategic, impact and risk assessments prior to taking decisions on the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity; - ensure access to information on, and include in children's education, the linkages between climate change, biodiversity and toxics, to enable children to understand how their rights can be infringed by States' environmental measures and to support the exercise of children's rights to participation and access to remedies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/shedding-light-on-childrens-rights-to-environmental-education-and-to-healthy... |
| Description | Skills for the Future Summit - CARIBBEAN |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Alana Maline (University of West Indies) and Kelly Hoareau (University of Seychelles) collaborated on a presentation at the Skills for the Future Summit hosted by the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training of the Government of Barbados on marine life, eco-friendly development, and creative blue economies which generated interest and support for the One Ocean Hub's programmes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skills-for-the-future-summit-registration-75975955127# |
| Description | Small Scale Fishers are Ocean Defenders |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | While our backs were turned, our sacred seas have been allocated for oil and gas mining. New developments in this area are shocking, but South Africans are fighting back. Read our special Ocean Issue, with Guest Editor Dr Dylan McGarry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.bigissue.org.za/magazine/issues/316-2 |
| Description | Small scale Chokka Fishers Plight Falls on DEFF ears |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub early career researchers from Rhodes University, Taryn Pereira and Anna James, published a short article titled 'Small scale Chokka Fishers Plight Falls on DEFF ears'. The article highlighted the lack of access to resources to small-scale fishers cooperatives in Eastern Cape, South Africa. It was published as part of the Coastal Justice Network newsletter on 6 December 2021. The aims of this newsletter are to raise awareness on the challenges faced by small-scale fishers and to build a stronger solidarity movement for fisher rights. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://coastaljusticenetwork.co.za/coastal-justice-network-newsletter-1-2021/ |
| Description | Small-Scale Fisheries Provincial Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A small-scale fisheries Provincial Workshop took place between 15 and 18 August 2023 and was attended by Hub researchers Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology, South Africa) and Irna Senekal (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa). The workshop was conducted over four days with the first day being a travel day. The Hub team were joined by Masifundise colleagues working in the Eastern Cape, and colleagues from Natural Justice, Trust for Community Outreach and Education, Parly for the Oceans, the Nelson Mandela University Law Clinic, WIEGO and Meqoqo players from the 'University also known as Rhodes'. The purpose of the workshop was to strengthen relationships, solidarity and learning between Eastern Cape fishers, and organisations working to support fishers. Issues explored to which small-scale fishers are responding to and concerned about, including: • the Marine Spatial Planning process • the various oil and gas applications affecting the Eastern Cape coastline • challenges experienced in relation to small-scale fisheries co-operatives • fishers' access to the coast and ocean particularly in marine protected areas (MPAs) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Small-scale Fisheries and the Blue Economy in South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On the 29-30th March 2023, 25 representatives of small-scale fisher communities and their organisations, together with researchers and non-government organisations gathered in Veldrif, West Coast of the University of Cape Town at the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science for a One Ocean Hub Small-scale Fishers Regional Workshop on the Blue Economy. The workshop was led by Hub researchers Prof. Merle Sowman and Dr Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town, South Africa). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Society for Conservation Biology ICCB2023 conference in Kigali, Rwanda, July |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub South Africa co-director Dr Philile Mbatha (University of Cape Town, South Africa) presented at a roundtable discussion at the Society for Conservation Biology ICCB2023 conference in Kigali, Rwanda on Wednesday 26 July. Her presentation titled "Governance in the Context of multifunctional coastal landscapes: navigating the interface between blue economy conflicts and customary livelihoods" formed part of the Promoting Multifunctional Landscape Governance for Biodiversity section. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://conbio.org/mini-sites/iccb-2023/program/ |
| Description | Solomon Islands Ocean Explorers Primary School Education Programme: Schools Engagement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Ocean Explorers was launched as an educational ocean literacy project under the One Ocean Hub. The Hub partnered with the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) to facilitate youth-led development of an ocean literacy programme for primary schools in remote regions. Beginning in February 2021, PISFCC undertook fieldwork visiting 4 rural primary schools in central and western province. These primary schools were identified as being remote, and with little access to additional curriculum resource. The team made contact and visited 4 schools in Western and Central Province: Telina Primary School, Patukae Primary School, Titiana Community High School, and Ngela (Nagotano) Community School. During the initial visits the team gave a presentation in which they shared an overview of the programme and provided the teachers with a copy of a 1 page programme descriptor. This led to a discussion on the programme feasibility and design, and feedback on the draft resources presented, as well as a discussion on approvals that would need to be acquired at both local (community) and national level. The teacher response to the programme was overwhelmingly positive, with teachers noting that: 1). Teachers are happy to have something new and creative for students to be engaged with. The Ocean Explorer activities are very Practical and it uses the five senses. Therefore, pupils will learn more than just the theory aspect of it. 2). The content is easy to follow. Teachers are saying it is clear and simple to understand. The teachers are keen to the idea of not having lessons to be confined only within a classroom. 3).In terms of the topics, teachers described them as a building block in which they start with Ocean plastics, climate change then Deep seabed mining in later years only after a foundation of ocean literacy was developed. 4.). Solomon island is very rich in terms of traditional knowledge and skills that has been passed down from generation to generation. These traditional knowledge and skills are also relevant to ocean sustainability. It was agreed that traditional knowledge should be included in the final resource packs. The teachers considered that through the Ocean Explorer program both teachers and pupils will feel accountable and responsible for ocean stewardship building a long-lasting sense of commitment to protect and be responsible for the natural environment. In April 2021 the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education approved the programme to run in the three identified schools (Evidence 1). The team then worked with the feedback provided from the teachers to produce a fully developed programme resource pack in the form of a pupil workbook and teachers resource on the topic of ocean plastics, using the geographical context of Barbados. The team returned to the schools in November 2021 o present the developed resources, which were so well received by the teachers that it was requested that the resource packs be expanded so as to cover the entire school semester (increasing from 6 planned lessons to 10 lessons). The resource was expanded and the final resource packs will be delivered to the schools in January 2022 during which time an introduction celebration event will be held with the community, as well as a final teacher training, ahead of classes beginning in February 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/huk1s8l018ocld2e8bjrf5lpaa |
| Description | South Africa & Caribbean: Invited Presentations to UNESCO-IOC: Principles for transformative ocean governance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers were invited to present at the the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Workshop on Marine Spatial Planning and Sustainable Blue Economy in the North East Tropical Pacific and Wider Caribbean Regions. The event, organised by The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), took place in October 2020, online. South African Hub researcher Prof Lombard presented on collaborative work of the One Ocean Hub. Her presentation titled "Principles for transformative ocean governance", was informed by collaborations from across the Hub network (South Africa and Ghana), and with partner projects. Fellow Hub researcher, Dr Alana Lancaster of University of West Indies (Guyana) presented on "Emerging Opportunities and Challenges within the Blue Economy in the Latin America & Caribbean Region". Relevant Countries: South Africa; Ghana; Caribbean Region, Latin America (international reach) Sectors engaged: IOC-UNESCO |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://www.mspglobal2030.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MSProadmap_Presentation_LAC_20201028.pdf |
| Description | South Africa Eastern Cape Small Scale Fisher Cooperatives: Regional Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub researchers from the Coastal Justice Network (CJN) hosted a workshop to bring together members of small scale fishing cooperatives from around the Eastern Cape of South Africa, to discuss how a number of ongoing developments were affecting their livelihoods and opportunities to come together to approach these issues strategically. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa National Marine Spatial Planning Working Group Information Session |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub researchers, Dr Dylan McGarry, Dr Nina Rivers, and Mia Strand were invited to participate in a virtual Marine Spatial Planning session which took place on 09 September 2021, hosted by the South African Government. The workshop was be held virtually in zoom due to the restrictions imposed to control the Covid-19 pandemic. The Marine Spatial Planning session aimed to: raise awareness on Marine Spatial Planning in South Africa; share of information on the development of Marine Sector Plans; and outline future marine spatial planning engagement opportunities. The One Ocean Hub's early career researchers, Dr Nina Rivers and Mia Strand, who participated at the National Marine Spatial Planning Working Group information session also facilitated the participation of Algoa Bay residents from the Khoisan community who wanted to join the virtual meeting, but had no access to virtual platforms. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | http://www.environment.gov.za/msp |
| Description | South Africa Sustainable Schools Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | This workshop included One Ocean Hub early career researcher Anna James (Rhodes University), teachers, and environmental education organisations based in South Africa. The event provided a platform to discuss the development of an online forum to support schools to embark on sustainability projects. Some schools may choose oceans and coasts as a focus area. Anna has contributed to the guide books for this program. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | South Africa: Algoa Bay Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) Project: Ongoing Stakeholder Engagement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub work in South Africa contributes to the Government funded Algoa Bay project. The project seeks to develop and demonstrate a pilot integrated Marine Spatial Plan (MSP), and examine how the IOC-UNESCO ten step MSP process be supported or amended to ensure that the process is socially and environmentally just and inclusive. OOH specifically contributes to systems modelling for the project. Country: South Africa Organisations engaged: The project engages directly and throughout with an active stakeholder group, comprising: SA Government, Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries (DEFF): Implementing agency for the MSP National and Provincial authorities (South African National Parks, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife): Management agencies appointed by DEFF to implement ocean governance policies and plans Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: to support integrated ocean management and implementation of MSP at local scale and integration with other area-based management tools NGOs (WildOceans; WCS; WWF; TNC): To support integrated ocean management Communities (fishers, recreational users etc): to support inclusion of local and indigenous knowledge and integrated ocean management |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.algoabayproject.com/community-of-practice |
| Description | South Africa: Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area Management: Public Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub Co-Director Professor Kerry Sink, in her capacity as a member of the South Africa Government Marine Spatial Planning working group, hosted a public meeting regarding the management plan for the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area, in Autumn 2021. Recognising the challenges in marine protected area (MPA) design and management (found through OOH research), a Government task team was formed in order to provide an opening for small-scale fishers to engage with MPA designers and managers directly. Professor Kerry Sink invited fellow Hub researcher Kira Erwin to join this task team, bringing together for the first time, marine science with racial justice theory experts. The team hosted this public meeting and the event led to a report with a specific recommendation to change both the way the MPAs are designed and management of MPAs, from a stakeholder engagement perspective. This reports will be used to influence the management agency on how to run stakeholder engagement processes and enabling SSFs to engage, as well as a possible compromise in the design of the MPA itself. Professor Sink is now putting forward a charter to guide MPA progress as a starting point to overcome historic, and prevailing, divisions in MPA design and management along lines of race of class. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://midsouthcoastrisingsun.co.za/40042/have-your-say-on-new-fishing-restrictions/ |
| Description | South Africa: Developing a regional marine spatial planning strategy for the Western Indian Ocean Region |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers at Nelson Mandela University have been commissioned by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for the development of a regional Marine Spatial Planning (MS) strategy for the Western Indian Ocean. This project is also reported under 'Further or Additional Funding'. This engagement is ongoing and will result in the following key outputs: MSP Strategy for the Western Indian Ocean - consultation report, strategy document, and policy brief Outcome: These outputs will inform the implementation of the regional MSP strategy for the Western Indian Ocean |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.algoabayproject.com/wio-msp |
| Description | South Africa: Eastern Cape alliance launches digital network to fight Covid-19 in rural areas |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, the Hub's Coastal Justice Network joined forces with other academics, civil society groups, and community organisations to create a network known as the 'Eastern Cape Community Action Network'. The initiative aimed to strengthen responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the rural Eastern Cape, and has over 100 CAN members throughout the rural Eastern Cape, who are small scale farmers, community activists and educators. This news article reports the launch of the initiative and its work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-06-22-eastern-cape-alliance-launches-digital-network-to... |
| Description | South Africa: Lalela uLwandle Empatheatre Radio Broadcast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Lalela uLwandle play (reported under 'Artistic Outputs') aimed to optimally disrupt and open up public dialogue around ocean decision making in South Africa, particularly along the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline. At the time the appeal against a decision to go ahead with large offshore Oil and Gas exploration, that had very poor public consultation. At the time Lalela uLwandle was touring 6 towns along the Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) coastline, where the team shared findings from 10 months of collaborative practice based research into tangible and intangible heritage of the oceans in KZN, and how these heritages intersect with contemporary and historical economic development of the KZN coastline. Neil Coppen (Director/writer) and Rory Booth (Actor) held a public dialogue on a National Radio station (Lotus FM, 14 October). The following year, Kira Erwin (Co-I) participated in a national SA FM radio interview which became a "For Water For Life" podcast episode and an article in the Daily Maverick news site. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-09-28-empatheatre-speaking-about-lalela-ulwandle/ |
| Description | Southern African Fisheries and Ecology Research Lab social media engagement: What kills fish? and Bucket Up!!! |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | After the Port Elizabeth Deep Sea Angling Club (PEDSAC) bottom fish species competition in 2021 One Ocean Hub early career researcher, Alex Winkler (Rhodes University), led the Southern African Fisheries and Ecology Research Lab social media engagement titled 'What kills fish?' and 'Bucket up!!!'. Infographic materials shared as part of the social media engagement was initially shared with the participants of the PEDSAC fishing competition and distributed on WhatsApp group created for the competition to disseminate important information to participants. Following positive feedback from anglers after the competition the materials was distributed to wider audience via social media. The goal of the social media engagement is to promote pro-environmental behavioural intervention on deep sea anglers (including improved competition rules to minimise impact and improved CatchRlease (C&R) behaviour). The main the target audience of the social media campaign was South African recreational fishers.The 'What kills fish?' social media engagement reached 44, 322 people of which 2,485 engaged. The Bucket Up!!! social media engagement reached 5,829 people of which 126 engaged. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/SAFisheriesEcologyResearchLab |
| Description | Specialised United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) workshops hosted by Fishforce |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher, Prof Hennie van As (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), offered the following online courses to various agencies that form part of Operation Phakisa Initiative 5, now referred to as the Marine and Ocean Crime Priority Committee. Specialised UNODC Workshops include: • Integrity & Ethics 12 - 16 September 2022 • Crime Prevention & Criminal Justice 19 - 23 September 2022 • Anti-Corruption 10 - 14 October 2022 • Organised Crime 24 - 28 October 2022 • Wildlife & Fisheries Crime 31 October - 04 November 2022 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://fishforce.mandela.ac.za/ |
| Description | Spotlight on Early Career Researchers: Andrea Longo |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | ERC Andrea Longo discusses his work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-early-career-researcher-andrea-longo/ |
| Description | Spotlight on Early Career Researchers: Kenneth Amankwaah Boateng |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | ERC Kenneth Amankwaah Boateng discusses his work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-early-career-researchers-kenneth-amankwaah-boateng/ |
| Description | Spotlight on Early Career Researchers: Sophie Shields |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | My name is Sophie Shields, and I am an early-career researcher from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. My research with the Hub focuses on interlinkages and intersections between children's human rights and the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including a healthy ocean. I am particularly interested in participatory human rights approaches and decision-making, and bringing an intersectional approach to children's human rights, considering differing impacts on different communities of children. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-early-career-researchers-sophie-shields/ |
| Description | Spotlight on Early Careers Researchers: Kirsty McQuaid |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | ERC Kirsty McQuaid discusses her work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-early-career-researchers-kirsty-mcquaid/ |
| Description | Spotlight on Early-Career Researchers: Holly Niner |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | ERC Holly Niner discusses her work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-early-career-researchers-holly-niner/ |
| Description | Spotlight on early-career researcher: Elsemi Olwage (University of Namibia) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | ERC Elsemi Olwage discusses her work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-early-career-researchers-2/ |
| Description | Spotlight on early-career researcher: Lysa Wini |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An interview with hub researcher Lysa Wini (University of Strathclyde, UK) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlight-on-early-career-researchers-lysa-wini/ |
| Description | Spotlighting Ocean Defenders and the Responsibilities of Marine Conservation Organizations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub continues to explore, together with the United Nations and civil society and researchers' networks how to bring greater visibility to the challenges faced by ocean defenders globally and the need to recognise and protect them as environmental human rights defenders. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation... |
| Description | Spotlighting ocean defenders and the responsibilities of marine conservation organisations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 29 November 2023, Hub researcher Taryn Pereira (Rhodes University, South Africa), UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd and other experts participated in the webinar 'A Global Spotlight on Ocean Defenders' to call attention to the ongoing struggles and efforts of ocean defenders globally. The webinar sough to explore potential actions that allied organisations and other institutions might take to support and protect ocean defenders. This blog post reflects on the key points raised at the webinar, and the ongoing work that the Hub is conducting on these issues. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-ocean-defenders-and-the-responsibilities-of-marine-conservation... |
| Description | Spotlighting science in the marine and coastal environment of the Western Indian Ocean at the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | "Hub researchers participated during the proceedings of the WIOMSA Symposium which was held as a hybrid virtual & in-person event at the Boardwalk Convention Centre in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa from 10 - 15 October 2022. Hub researchers contributed to WIOMSA 2022 sharing their research, identifying gaps in knowledge and highlighting solutions to challenges faced in the WIO region. Key themes underpinned by the SDGs and explored by Hub researchers at WIOMSA 2022 include: • Planning marine spaces with a view to balancing blue economic development with sustainability • Supporting opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills in a collaborative manner for transformative ocean action, as highlighted in an earlier blog post (https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-emerging-researchers-reflect-on-transdisciplinarity-in-transformative-ocean-governance-research/). • Increasing scientific knowledge and research for ocean health through co-development with a view to addressing inequalities in capacity and technology, as expanded upon in this policy brief (https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/policy-brief-mutual-learning-through-capacity-building-on-marine-biological-diversity-of-areas-beyond-national-jurisdiction/): • Ensuring climate resilient cities Hub researchers who participated at WIOMSA include Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow (University of Strathclyde, UK), Meredith Fernandes (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Hub early career researchers: Mia Strand and Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), Nkeiru Scotcher (University of Strathclyde, UK), and Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK); as well as Prof Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) and Prof Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University, UK). Read more about their contributions to WIOMSA here: https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health-2/. Inputs provided by Hub researchers at the WIOMSA also contributed to the development and progress of Ocean Decade Africa Roadmap in addressing challenges and identifying opportunities across science-policy in the region. " |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health-2/ |
| Description | Stakeholder Engagement on Key Sustainable Development Issues for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in African Nations Bordering the Atlantic |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Members of the One Ocean Hub team from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa were invited to present at this online workshop hosted by University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and University of Liverpool, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention for Cooperation in the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic Coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa Region (Abidjan Convention). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Stakeholders' meetings before the 2023 UN SDG Summit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK) was invited to deliver a keynote speech by the Stakeholder Forum (SF), following on her contribution on SDG 14 in May 2023, as part of the 'Countdown to the UN SDG Summit 2023 Webinar Series supported by the UN Department on Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), UNEP and the European Union on how to enable integrated approaches to implementing the SDGs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/reflecting-on-sdg14-in-the-lead-up-to-the-2023-sdg-summit/ |
| Description | Storytelling as a political act |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | SABC TV coverage of Empatheatre's performance at World Ocean Week |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC9XuKN6sbY |
| Description | Strengthening Linkages Between SDG 14 & SDG 16:?Contributing to?the Development of a?Legislative Guide to Combatting Pollution Crime, and its Annex |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In November 2023, Hub researchers Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Bolanle Erinosho, (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), joined specialists from the Global North and the Global South, with expertise in a range of disciplines, at an Expert Group Meeting hosted by the by the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) to develop a Legislative Guide to Combatting Pollution Crime, and its Annex on the Pollution of the Marine Environment. This opportunity built on recent international engagements of the One Ocean Hub related to the Sustainable Development Goals, primarily those which explore the linkages between SDG14-SDG16. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/strengthening-linkages-between-sdg-14-sdg-16-contributing-to-the-development... |
| Description | Sustainability Summit 2022: the Food Security - Ocean Economy Panel |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Deputy Director was invited to participate in the Food Security Seminar titled 'Global Food Security Challenge is Straight Forward by 2050, the World Must Feed Two Billion People' on 21st September 2022. Dr Snow presented as part of the Ocean Economy panel. This panel explored how with better management and technological innovation, the ocean could provide six times more food than it does today - including more than two-thirds of the protein needed to feed the future world population - provided it is sustainably managed. It highlighted that the unique position of the ocean to contribute to food security due to the highly nutritious nature of seafood, which contains essential vitamins, minerals, long chain omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients not found in plant-based or terrestrial animal proteins. With reform, capture fisheries could produce as much as 20 percent more catch compared to today and up to 40 percent more than projected future catch, under current fishing pressures. Yet the largest potential gains for food production lie in the sustainable expansion of marine aquaculture (mariculture). Facilitator: Thabang Mashigo, Political Analyst Speakers: • Kwasi Appeaning Addo, Associate Professor, University of Ghana • Zaidy Afrin, Island Innovation ambassador, SIDS SDG & Blue economy researcher: Blue Innovation Institute • Dr Bernadette Snow, Deputy Director, One Ocean Hub • Rocky Sanchez Tirona, Managing Director, Fish Forever at Rare • Shamera Daniels, Vice-Chair, SAPFIA |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn-ONI9tzNY |
| Description | Sustainability of the Namibian shore-angling fishery: Ongoing engagement with Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) (Linefish Section) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub research in Namibia focusses on the sustainability of the Namibian shore-angling fishery. This project (supported by the Hub's Flexible Fund) began in Autumn 2021, and aims to to improve angler environmental behaviour (including their compliance with regulations and catch and release behaviour) and engage with and assist governmental researchers in improving the socio-ecological assessment and regulatory framework for the recreational shore-angling fishery in Namibia, with specific reference to the second-most important target species in the shore-based sector, the West coast steenbras. To enable this, researchers have engaged with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) (Linefish Section) and reached an agreement in principle to share data on the recreational fishing sector, and collaborate in roving creel surveys. Through working directly with MFMR scientists, the project will ensure relevance of project outputs and findings, while benefiting from access to data, and indirectly support scientific capacity strengthening with emerging researchers in the Ministry. This collaboration is ongoing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Sustainable Development Goal 16 and Indigenous Peoples' collective rights |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This international event titled "Sustainable Development Goal 16 and Indigenous Peoples' collective rights" was organised by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as part of the 20th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Prof Morgera presented the key issues that are being addressed in a draft study for FAO on legal challenges and opportunities for the protection of Indigenous Peoples' collective rights to territories, lands and natural resources in the context of SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). The study is being conducted also with inputs from One Ocean Hub colleagues in law, history and anthropology focusing on ocean-related customary laws. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Sustainable and Equitable Fisheries for Ghana: Ongoing Stakeholder Engagements |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing engagements with the Tourism Authority, Fisheries Commission and Environment Protection Authority in Ghana on the design and development of a suite of tools to support integrated ecosystem based management of Ghana's marine area, and methods to support supplementary livelihoods. These engagements form part of the Sustainable and Equitable Fisheries partnership (reported under partnerships and collaborations). Country involved: Ghana Organisations engaged: Government of Ghana - Fisheries Commission, Environment Protection Authority, Tourism Authority Local NGOs: Hen Mpoano Community Groups: Elmina Fishing community Outcomes This is an ongoing engagement, detailed under partnerships and collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Sustaining South Africa's Small Scale Fishing Communities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing engagement with a network of small scale fisher leaders in South Africa and civil society organisations (reported under partnerships and collaborations). Countries involved: South Africa Organisations engaged: Small scale fisher leaders (individuals from local fishing communities) Eastern Cape Black Fishers Womxns cooperative Sangoma and Inyanga community Civil Society Organisations Olifants Estuary Management Forum South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Centre for Environmental Rights Masifundise Development Trust Outcomes Report published by South Durban Community Envionmental Alliance (reported under 'Publications'): https://sdcea.co.za/download/cast-out-the-systematic-exclusion-of-the-kwa-zulu-natal-subsistence-fishers-from-the-fishing-rights-regime-in-south-africa/ Developed a learning and solidarity network of small scale fisher leaders and local civil society, strengthening networks in-country to support small scale fisheries in responding to immediate challenges affecting their access to coast and resources: covid-19, blue economy developments, commercial fishing operations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/small-scale-fisheries-and-blue-justice/ |
| Description | Taking a human rights-based approach to shipping |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub early-career researchers Senia Febrica and Andrea Longo reflect, in a blog post, about the 2023 report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics, Marcos Orellana, highlighting the relevance of the work of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for human rights (A/HRC/54/25/Add.2), and calling on the IMO to embrace an explicit human rights-based approach. In this blogpost, we summarise key recommendations relevant to marine biodiversity and meaningful participation in ocean governance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/taking-a-human-rights-based-approach-to-shipping/ |
| Description | Taming the Agulhas Current: An offshore capacity building experience for South Africa's emerging researchers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | South Africa's south coast is affectionately termed the 'Cape of Storms'. With strong westerly winds, heaving swells and a fast-moving current, the physical offshore environment can often be unpredictable, leaving many unable to brave its waters. It is here where a group of passionate young marine scientists would spend two weeks enwrapped in a flurry of scientific activity on board the R/V Observer. The cruise comprised daily seagoing trips out of East London harbour to build capacity in sampling techniques and contribute to deep sea research in South Africa. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://enews.saeon.ac.za/issue-02-2023/taming-the-agulhas-current-an-offshore-capacity-building-exp... |
| Description | Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage. Tsitsikamma and Algoa Bay case study (South Africa) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This fieldwork took place in July 2021, led by Prof Rose Boswell at Nelson Mandela University as part of Research Programme 5 of the One Ocean Hub. The primary goals of the fieldwork were twofold: - To characterise the dynamic human and cultural interaction with oceans and coasts - To advance knowledge of ocean cultures and cultural heritage in the public sphere to encourage social justice in provincial and national oceans sustainability efforts. This is aimed to foreground and empower individuals in vulnerable and currently marginalized groups to showcase their knowledge and to engage in robust debate on coastal management. The target group consisted primarily of members from vulnerable and/or economically/politically marginalised groups in the Tsitsikamma Area, Storms River Village, Kranshoek, Coldstream, Plettenbergbay, Mosselbay. 29 participants were engaged (6 female) including: fishermen, women, community leaders, traditional healers, members of the First Peoples population, indigenes and members of the African diaspora as well as culturally marginal groups, to collect knowledge regarding oceans and coastal management. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/fast3djtdp2u56507qgfj7pcm0?0 |
| Description | The 39th Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa International Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub early career researchers from Rhodes University, Taryn Pereira and Buhle Francis, were invited to roundtable presentation 'Catalysing and facilitating learning for sustainability in diverse landscapes' organised as part of the 39th in June 2021 Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa International Conference. It was organised by the Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa, a 39 year old collaborative network of Environmental Education researchers, practitioners and activists in collaboration with Mauritius Institute of Education. The conference was held under the aegis of the South Africa Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology and UNESCO Chair in Higher Education. This coonference sought to strengthen the voice of environmental education and environmental sustainable development researchers, practitioners, and activists. It brought together researchers and other experienced environmental educators who have insights and experiences to share with the broader environmental education community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/e8o4qrucl8ghpaebekb0fq54kt |
| Description | The Art of Engagement: the Fishers' Tales exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Fishers Tales moved from its online home into a live exhibition space at the KZNSA Gallery in Durban, South Africa. The exhibition, which was free to the public, took place from 2 March to 3 April 2022. The exhibition showcased arts-based storytelling on the wondrous tales and emotional connections that fishers enjoy with the ocean. Besides the photographs and artwork on the walls the public could take home copies of the beautifully printed postcards, each of which depicted a unique fisher's story and accompanying artwork from an emerging artist in Durban. Visual storytelling is a powerful way to connect into other people's stories of ocean life, but in order to engage deeper around issues of coastal justice and democratic ocean governance, the Urban Futures Centres and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance used the exhibition space to bring together diverse publics and fishers to talk about shared concerns for ocean wellbeing. In this way the artwork acted as a catalyst for conversations around how we work together towards the sustainability of our oceans in just and equitable ways that protect the most vulnerable in society. The official exhibition opening drew an impressive crowd on the evening of the 2nd March. The launch programme included a space for fisher's to share their stories in person with the public, as well as a talk by long-standing environmental activist Des D'Sa. The opening also screened the Lalela uLwandle (Listen to the Sea) animation and ended with a live reading by Mpume Mthombeni of the Blue Blanket poem by Dylan McGarry. In South Africa many small-scale and subsistence fishers are at the forefront of fighting for human rights to a healthy environmental in the face of coastal and ocean mining developments.The exhibition opening formally thanked and recognised both the fishers and artists for their work in making visible these important livelihood and environmental concerns. In addition to the opening the project team have held a dedicated conversation session for school children and their teachers to hear a live storytelling session by one of the fishers, John-Peter Narayanasamy, and ask questions of the project team around environmental justice in the city of Durban. A live storytelling session was also open to the public to engage with Fishers on their stories and concerns for ocean wellbeing. On Saturday 2nd of April 2022, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm, the Fishers Tales gallery space was open for an in-person session on ocean wellbeing with a marine science specialist and fishers from Kwa-Zulu-Natal. This session was for all ages and looked at how climate change and pollution has affected marine life in the ocean and how this has negatively impacted the lives of small-scale and subsistence fishers. It also offered some practical actions we can all take to mitigate against ocean degradation. The Fishers Tales project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/the-art-of-engagement-the-fishers-tales-exhibition/ |
| Description | The Citizen: 'Another fishing community in limbo as west coast seismic survey looms' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Taryn Pereira, Hub researcher and a member of the Coastal Justice Network was interviewed by the South African newspaper on the impact of the Shell's seismic survey. Less than one month after civil society groups including the Coastal Justice Network successfully prevented Shell's Wild Coast seismic survey, another urgent interdict on the same issue has been filed, this time in the Western Cape of South Africa. Their eyes are set on preventing Australia-based Searcher Seismic and UK division Searcher Geodata (Searcher), using the M/V BGP Pioneer vessel, from conducting 2D and 3D seismic surveys from January 2022. Pereira explained to the media that the seismic survey will leave "tens of thousands" of local fishing communities vulnerable to the potentially devastating effects of the survey. To quote Pereira "30 fishing communities relying on the ocean for food and economic security, as well as heritage and identity, will be potentially affected. For intergenerational fisherfolk, who learn to read the ocean and the weather to tell where and when the fish are moving, who have depended upon the ocean through hundreds of years of persecution and oppression, the threat of harm to the ocean life that they are a part of, is deeply disturbing and undermining. The impacts of ongoing fossil fuel extraction from the ocean, which this survey is exploring for, affects every single one of us, through its contribution to climate change." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/2984959/fishing-community-in-limbo-west-coast-sei... |
| Description | The European Commission (DG MARE) Expert Discussion Forum on Marine Genetic |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub Director, Professor Elisa Morgera, was invited by the European Commission (DG MARE) to a selected expert discussion forum on the topic of marine genetic resources in the context of the UN negotiations on a new legally binding instrument on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction on 16 June 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | The Glasgow research hub that's facing up to marine pollution |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Coverage of the hub in the Herald newspaper |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23391099.glasgow-research-hub-facing-marine-pollution/ |
| Description | The Guardian (UK): "Cycle power and gender rights: days eight and nine at COP27 - in pictures" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub's Empatheatre's production 'Lalela Ulwandle' was performed at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh on 14 November 2022. Their performance was reported in the Guardian article on 15 November 2022. The article noted "South African actor Mpume Mthombeni performing in the play Lalela Ulwandle (Listen to the Sea) by the Durban-based theatre company Empatheatre..." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2022/nov/15/cycle-power-and-gender-rights-days-eight... |
| Description | The High-Level Ministerial Segment of the UN Biodiversity Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Rachel Wynberg (University of Cape Town) was invited to give expert input to the High-Level Ministerial Segment of the UN Biodiversity Conference on 13 October 2021, as part of the lead-up to the second part of the Conference to be held in Kunming, China, in 2022. The Roundtable at which she presented was titled: Knowledge, Innovation and Benefit Sharing. Her input focused on the link between biodiversity loss and the loss of cultures, knowledges and innovations that have co-evolved alongside peoples' relationships to nature. Rachel raised critical questions about how we innovate, whom we innovate for, and how we ensure that this is done in a way that is equitable and fair. Rachel emphasised the importance of all knowledge systems in contributing to innovation and problem-solving; reiterated the importance of being mindful that technological fixes may not always be appropriate within certain social, cultural and environmental contexts; and described the challenges of reconciling the invaluable scientific benefits that arise from open access to genetic sequence data, whilst generating the critical funding that is needed to support an inclusive, equitable and rights-driven conservation agenda that places Indigenous Peoples and local communities at the centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | The Hub becomes implementing partner of the UN Ocean Decade |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We are delighted to announce that in October 2023 the One Ocean Hub has been endorsed as the UN Ocean Implementing Partner. Under this mandate, the Hub will offer a comprehensive methodology for profound understanding of the ocean, upholding inclusive, respectful, and fair ocean research practices across Global North and South through our program entitled "Transdisciplinary Toolbox of Ocean Knowledge Co-Production for Transformative Governance." The announcement was preceded by another major achievement for the Hub - the publication on Nature Sustainability of some of our key learnings on transformative ocean research and its role in fostering transformative ocean governance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/our-endorsement-as-implementing-partner-of-the-un-ocean-decade/ |
| Description | The Hub's arts-based research collaboration shortlisted at the Times Higher Education Awards |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub has been shortlisted in this year's Times Higher Education Awards (THE Awards) in the 'International Collaboration of the Year' category. The nomination celebrates the play 'Lalela uLwandle' (Listen to the Sea) developed by Empatheatre and Hub researchers with communities along the KwaZulu-Natal coast in South Africa. The play has offered decision-makers and stakeholders along the coasts of South Africa a facilitated discussion on ocean governance and collected testimonies on people's concerns and hopes for the ocean. Some of these testimonies were used by civil society partners in judicial proceedings against oil and gas seismic surveys (see here and here), resulting in decisions on the protection of cultural and participation rights, as well as environmental protection. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hubs-arts-based-research-collaboration-shortlisted-at-the-times-higher-educa... |
| Description | The Impact of Climate Change on Children's Rights to Food and Health in Coastal Communities in Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Harrison Golo (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) presented at the University of Cape Coast's 3rd Annual Conference on Fisheries and Coastal Environment in November 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | The International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface, 12-13 December 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Philile Mbatha (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Sian Rees (University of Plymouth, UK) were invited by the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, as the secretariat of the Regular Process, to attend the International Symposium of the United Nations Regular Process on strengthening the ocean science-policy interface. The Symposium was held at the IOC-UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, on December 12-13, 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.un.org/regularprocess/Symposium |
| Description | The ocean, innovation and sustainability |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub Deputy Director Bernadette Snow was invited to present on the Innovate Strathclyde podcast series. Dr Snow's episode explored the implications of climate change and the innovations needed for a more sustainable environment and an equitable society. The series focuses on innovations needed for a sustainable environment and an equitable society. Snow, together with another guest expert, Tracy Morse (Head of the Strathclyde Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Strathclyde), discussed how innovations such as nature-based solutions and sustainability approaches need to go hand-in-hand with behavioural and societal change, as we transition to net zero - co-creating solutions between academia and the public and private sectors that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/subjects/civilenvironmentalengineering/environment/innovatestrathc... |
| Description | The report of the Hub capacity development deep-sea cruise is out |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In 2023, a capacity-building offshore cruise advanced the capacity, technology, and multidisciplinary knowledge of early-career researchers and postgraduate students from South Africa and Namibia for the benefit of better management of South Africa's ocean. The final report of the cruise is now available |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/publications/cruise-report-one-ocean-hub-capacity-development-cruise/ |
| Description | The right to a healthy environment in the context of biodiversity and nature loss |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Hub Director Prof Elisa Morgera was invited to be a speaker at the webinar titled 'The right to a healthy environment in the context of biodiversity and nature loss' in September 2022. It is one of the three deep dive webinar sessions convened under the UN Environment Management Group Issue Management Group (IMG) on Human Rights and the Environment, which is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The objective of the IMG is to integrate the human right to a healthy environment into the work of the UN and ensure a coherent and rights-based approach to environmental action throughout the UN system. The deep dive webinars were being convened under Focus Area 3 of the workplan of the IMG, which addresses capacity building on human rights and the environment and is led by UNEP. Contributing Agencies to Focus Area 3 include OHCHR, UN Women, UN Development Programme, UN Forum on Forests/ UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, World Intellectual Property Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, International Labour Organization, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, nited Nations Children's Fund and UN Economic Commission for Europe. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/9s9vmph64thnb2cr7vjf3l60q |
| Description | The role of environment-and-human-rights law researchers in transdisciplinarity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), was invited to speak at the Melbourne University on "The role of environment-and-human-rights law researchers in transdisciplinarity" on Friday, 24 November 2023. The event is hosted by the Melbourne Centre for Law and the Environment and the Institute for International Law and the Humanities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | The second International Training Programme (ITP) regional workshop on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) for WIO countries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub ECR researcher and PhD candidate Mia Strand (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) participated in the second International Training Programme (ITP) regional workshop on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) for Western Indian Ocean (WIO) countries which took place in Ponta Do Ouro, Mozambique, from April 24 to May 5, 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.havochvatten.se/en/eu-and-international/international-cooperation/international-training... |
| Description | The second seminar on performing arts and contemplative practices (GRupos, Brazil) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | At a workshop organised by Grupos, a collective of researchers and artists interested in the relationship between meditation and contemplative practices, performing arts and social action based in Brazil, the Hub's Empatheatre team delivered a presentation on 'Empatheatre: Sculpting empathy through public storytelling' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.grupotradere.com/roundtable |
| Description | The threat of plastic pollution in Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This blog post aims to address the critical issue of plastic pollution in Ghana. Hub researchers Bhavani Narayanaswamy and Geslaine Goncalves (Scottish Association for Marine Science, SAMS, UK) are working together with Joseph Aggrey-Fynn and Benjamin Nyarko and students at the University of Cape Coast (UCC, Ghana) exploring the challenges posed by plastic consumption and disposal, and their detrimental effects on the environment and communities. This blog post explores the challenges that Ghana faces in managing its plastics waste, the devastating consequences for human health and the environment. Also, the urgent need for Ghana to address these issues collectively. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/the-threat-of-plastic-pollution-in-ghana-africa/ |
| Description | The true custodians of our seas: Who is stealing South Africa's ocean heritage? Press Article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Lalela Ulwandle animated film depicts some of the ways in which South African citizens have had their ocean heritage stolen from them through the forces of colonialism, apartheid, extractive capitalism and natural resource enclosures. This press article published in the South African online publication The Daily Maverick summarises the film, and its release as part of the Green Connection's Oceans Tribunal held on 21 and 22 September 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-09-29-the-true-custodians-of-our-seas-who-is-stealing-s... |
| Description | Theatre Performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a Conversation on Inclusive Ocean Governance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This event that the Hub organised during the UN World Ocean Week was titled 'Theatre performance "Lalela Ulwandle" (Listen to the Sea) and a conversation on inclusive ocean governance'. Lalela uLwandle is a research-based theatre performance and public dialogue event that explores how we may start to build solidarity in climate change adaptation and resilience through environmentally just and equitable, inclusive ocean decision-making processes. Grounded in the South African experience, the inter-generational stories of the sea performed in Lalela uLwandle resonate strongly with an international audience. It was performed at the UN Climate COP27 in Egypt in November 2022 and at the closing events of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture at FAO in Rome in March 2023. The performance was followed with a facilitated public-discussion with researchers, performers, decision-makers and the audience. This post-show dialogue has been used to pilot alternative public forum in South Africa, and provided rich input into ongoing policy, legal, and judicial innovation in ocean decision-making. Empatheatre is led by Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | There is an urgent need to protect marine intangible cultural heritage in South Africa, and Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Rose Boswell's article titled 'There is an urgent need to protect marine intangible cultural heritage in South Africa, and Africa' was published on the Daily Maverick on 6 September 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-09-06-there-is-an-urgent-need-to-protect-marine-intangi... |
| Description | Third Pacific Human Rights Film Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 29 November 2023, the Empatheatre's short animation film Indlela Yokuphila directed by Dylan McGarry (Rhodes University, South Africa) was screened at the third Pacific Human Rights Film Festival organised by the Pacific Community (SPC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand, the government of Sweden, the University of the South Pacific, and the Pacific Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Throughout the course of the festival, 1,500 audience members attended the diverse line up of film screenings and performances. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Towards the Development of an African Strategy for Ocean Governance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub South African Researcher Prof Amanda Lombard was invited to attend the United Nations Environment Programme, African Union Commission and the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN). This was the second consultative meeting on the development of an African strategy for ocean governance. Output: This meeting will inform recommendations for the African Union as the implementing agent for the regional marine spatial plan strategy for the Western Indian Ocean. Anticipated Outcome: The implementation of the regional MSP strategy for the Western Indian Ocean using socially and environmentally just and inclusive MSP processes. Countries involved: Pan Africa (research specifically from South Africa) Organisations engaged: African Union; United Nations Environment Programme |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Trade Hub All Hands meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Deputy Director Dr Bernadette Snow was invited to attend the TRADE Hub's 'All Hands Meeting' in September 2022 in Cambridge, UK. The meeting was aimed to define how past and present work of Trade Hub come together to maximise scientific, policy and business impact. The meeting also aimed to put the Hub on a pathway to leaving the strongest possible legacy and identify ways to build upon the work already done to seek funding for new projects. The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors including academics, international organisation (e.g. UN Environment Programme) and civil society (e.g. World Wide Fund for Nature).The event had 87 online participants, and the 55 attendees in-person event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://tradehub.earth/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/All-Hands-Meeting-Report-2022.pdf |
| Description | Traditional Cultural Practices and Women's Rights in Small-Scale Coastal Fishing Communities of Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Harrison Golo (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) spoke at the Hub's Gender and Ocean workshop in Glasgow in July 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In March 2023, Hub researchers Elisa Morgera, Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dylan Mcgarry (Rhodes University, South Africa), Philile Mbatha (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Kira Erwin (Durban University of Technology in Durban, South Africa), Bola Erinosho, Sulley Ibrahim, Georgina Oduro, John Ansah (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) attended a Training event on the international and national avenues for the legal empowerment of small-scale fishers. This hybrid training event was co-organised by the One Ocean Hub and the Danish Institute for Human Rights. As part of our partnerships for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, on 1 - 2 February 2023, we co-organised with the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) a dialogue series composed of two webinars exploring how national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and international human rights mechanisms are addressing human rights issues in small-scale fishing communities. Hub researchers including Dr Elaine Webster (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Dr Kira Erwin were invited as speakers at the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/how-can-national-human-rights-institutions-and-international-human-rights-me... |
| Description | Training on Fisheries Law Enforcement to Ministry of Fisheries Inspectors and fisheries observers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Dr Tapiwa V. Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) offered training on Fisheries Law Enforcement to Namibia Ministry of Fisheries Inspectors and Fisheries Observers in November/December 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Training on Fisheries Law Enforcement to Ministry of Fisheries Inspectors and fisheries observers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Dr Tapiwa V. Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) offered training on Fisheries Law Enforcement to Namibia Ministry of Fisheries Inspectors and Fisheries Observers in November/December 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Training on Fisheries Law Enforcement to Ministry of Fisheries' inspectors and fisheries observers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Dr Tapiwa V. Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia) offered training on Fisheries Law Enforcement to Ministry of Fisheries of Namibia fisheries inspectors and observers in November/December 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Hub was invited to present its practices, lessons learnt and ideas at an international (invitation-only) workshop on 'Transdisciplinary Science for International Ocean Governance' on 9 November 2021. Professor Elisa Morgera delivered a presentation on current understandings of transdisciplinary science, based on Hub policy brief to the UN Decade for Ocean Science. She then participated in the break-out group on transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance focused on high-seas biodiversity, while Dr Bernadette Snow contributed to the break-out group on the ocean-climate nexus, based on the Hub policy brief for COP26. Both also contributed to the final discussion on the possible objectives, implementation and connections with existing structures of a new dedicated forum for transdisciplinary science to support international ocean governance that the European Commission is considering supporting. The workshop brought together approximately 30 international experts including scientists, policy makers, and NGOs. The recommendations emerging from the workshop will be summarized as a short internal document for the European Commission. Most Hub recommendations were included in the confidential report of the workshop. In addition, the European Commission (DG Research) reached out to the Hub to share its approaches to transdisciplinary ocean science (notably with regard to respectful and innovative engagement with indigenous and local knowledge holders) in its funded research in the Arctic and the Atlantic. The first step is participation of the Hub in an Arctic workshop in February. Hub presentations at this event have also led the IOC UNESCO to invite the Hub to be a Decade Implementing Partner to lead in trans-diciplinary ocean research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Transformed and Transformative Governance Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference hosted by academic partners in South Africa and attended by partners from across the Hub to develop principles for ocean governance. The aim of the conference was to provide a forum for a wide range of ocean experts and stakeholders to engage with the latest developments impacting on ocean governance from development, ecosystem-based and human-rights-based approaces, before starting to reflect and give direction on what transformed and transformative ocean governance means and requires. The event contributed to new working relationships with civil society organisation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://cmr.mandela.ac.za/Events,-Initiatives-and-News/Transformed-and-Transformative-Ocean-Governan... |
| Description | Turning the tide for women in small-scale fisheries in Ghana: Reflections on the gender workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub organised four workshops for small-scale fisher (SSF) women in the four coastal regions (Central, Volta, Greater Accra and Western) of Ghana between 2021-2023. The workshops were a response to Hub research findings that are discussed in the newly published article by Harrison Golo and Bolanle Erinosho 'Tackling the challenges confronting women in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana: A human rights framework'. Published in Marine Policy, the article notes that SSF women are often excluded from governance and decision-making processes, access to fisheries aids and subsidies and are significantly impacted by declining fish stocks. This blog post captures the key highlights of the 'gender SSF workshops' organised in Ghana, that informed the article. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/turning-the-tide-for-women-in-small-scale-fisheries-in-ghana-reflections-ari... |
| Description | Two affidavits brought against mining companies in the Wester Cape, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, Dr Merle Sowman and Dr Jackie Sunde, prepared two affidavits to support small-scale fishers against seismic surveys conducted by mining companies in 2022: 1. Affidavit on cumulative impacts for the case brought by small-scale fishers against a commencement of a seismic survey by Searcher Geodata UK limited and Searcher Seismic Australia. Case reference: Christian Adams and Others v Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and Others (West Coast Seismic Survey) Case no: 1306/22, High Court: Western Cape Division, Cape Town. Date heard: 25 February 2022. 2. Affidavit for a case against Mining company Moonstone on Impacts of coastal mining and provided evidence of transgressions by the mining company in terms of the requirements of the Environmental Management Plan (EMPr) of 2005. Case reference: Protect the West Coast and Others v Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and Others, case no: Case not yet heard. Submitted to High Court, Western Cape Division, December 2022. An NGO, PTWC together with local communities requested an interdict to stop Moonstone mining until environmental authorisation had been obtained. To read more about affidavits and expert reports related to the two cases please read documents available here: https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bqog6s4mgmack63rm3j5m9ajlj?34. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/bqog6s4mgmack63rm3j5m9ajlj?34 |
| Description | UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) consultations on Adaptation and Resilience and Launch Event Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub was invited to contribute to the opening webinar of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) consultations on Adaptation and Resilience and Launch Event Workshop on 3 June 2021 in preparation for the Glasgow Climate COP26. Hub Director Professor Elisa Morgera highlighted how ocean is still overlooked in international discussions on climate change adaptation, highlighting relevant research and experience from across the Hub. She stressed the importance of inter-and trans-disciplinary research for more inclusive and effective approaches to adaptation and resilience, which build on an integrated evidence base and multiple knowledge systems. On the whole, the Hub's contribution to the consultation stressed the nexus between the ocean, climate change, biodiversity and human rights, drawing from the Hub's written evidence on climate change and sustainable development submitted to the UK Parliament. The Hub is now working with UKRI to further develop these contributions, and organise events on the margins of COP26. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.ukri.org/our-work/responding-to-climate-change/ukri-towards-cop26/climate-adaptation-and... |
| Description | UKRI-UNDP GCRF Knowledge Partnership |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Daniela Diz (Strathclyde) and John Ansah (Univsersity of Cape Coast) participated in the UKRI-UNDP GCRF Knowledge Partnership Workshop that sought to explore Hub involvement in the UNDPs development accelerator lab project. Led to a relationship with the UNDP Accelerator Lab in the Pacific. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | UN Decade UK National Committee Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub was invited to take part in the next meeting of the UK's National Decade Committee (NDC) in Edinburgh on 5 March 2024. The Committee aims to facilitate UK engagement with the UN Ocean Decade through an all-society approach. Hub Deputy Director, Philile Mbatha (University of Strathclyde, UK), spoke at the Committee meeting. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | UN Global and Regional Consultations (Africa): Understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) and their local communities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On May 2021 One Ocean Hub contributed to a global and regional consultations organised by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on the protection of environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs). The meetings sought to identify good practices to support environmental human rights defenders and their local communities (3-4th and 7thMay 2021). These meetings brought together experts from across the world with the purpose of discussing and sharing practices such as defence activities, livelihood projects as well as prevention of and protection against attacks. They aimed to identify gaps in existing UN guidance with a view to putting forward practical recommendations to relevant bodies and mechanisms of the UN. The outcomes will inform a compilation of good practices and recommendations, that will be made available through a report and an online interactive tool, accessible via www.environment-rights.org. The Hub was represented by members of the international team including Professor Elisa Morgera, and researchers from the South Africa Coastal Justice Network, and the University of Cape Town. Hub researchers from University of Cape Town, Dr Philile Mbatha and Aphiwe Moshani, highlighted the role of small-scale fishing communities as environmental defenders, bringing in perspectives also on traditional knowledge and customary rights, including in the context of marine protected areas. One Ocean Hub researchers from Rhodes University, Taryn Pereira and Dr Dylan McGarry, delivered a presentation on "Understanding and indentifying Good Practices to Support Environmental Human Rights Defenders and their local communities in Africa" as part of the contributions from the South African Coastal Justice Network and the One Ocean Hub. They offered several inputs towards better practices to support Environmental human Rights Defenders in their local context. The global consultation was attended by the former and current UN Special Rapporteurs on Human rights and the Environment, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, as well as several representatives of UN agencies. As part of the outcomes from these meetings Empatheatre is to be included as an internationally recognised "good practice" to support human rights defenders in a report by UNEP. Hub researchers were then invited to present on the Empatheatre methodology at the Inaugural UNEP Summer/Winter School on Human rights and the environment in June 2021. UNEP has also included the Hub policy recommendations on "ocean defenders" in forthcoming UN Guidance on the Protection of Environmental Human Rights Defenders, addressed to UN Resident Coordinators (who can mobilise at country level financial, legal and logistic resources to protect defenders). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/one-ocean-hub-highlights-role-and-needs-of-small-scale-fishers-at-un-consult... |
| Description | UN Guidance on children's human right to a healthy environment calls for protecting marine ecosystems, transforming industrial fisheries, and preventing marine pollution |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This blog post provides an initial reflection on the relevance of the General Comment for the ocean governance and ocean research. As part of an increasingly vast network of civil society, UN bodies and other partners focused on children's environmental rights, the One Ocean Hub is commitment to integrate and raise awareness about General Comment No. 26 in all its research and engagement activities on human rights and the ocean. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/un-guidance-on-childrens-human-right-to-a-healthy-environment-calls-for-prot... |
| Description | UN Nippon Fellows Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | As part of the Hub's UN World Ocean Week 2023, Prof Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University, UK) was invited to deliver a presentation on Inter-and-Transdiciplinary ocean research. The meeting was attended by UN-Nippon Fellows who are representatives of governments and civil society from 14 low-middle-income countries (evidence list of UN Nippon Fellows). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | UN Ocean Decade Laboratories 'A predicted ocean': Developing Deep-sea Ecosystem Models |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | In September 2021 Hub researchers Lynne Shannon and Kelly Ortega (University of Cape Town) contributed to a satellite event 'Developing Deep-sea Ecosystem Models' for the Ocean Decade Laboratory 'A Predicted Ocean'. The Ocean Decade Laboratories connect diverse actors from around the globe and act as platforms for catalysing partnerships and co-designing Actions for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The satellite event was organised by Hub researcher Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth). The aim of the event was to bring deep-sea benthic ecologists and modellers together to understand how models have been used to support decision-making, and what the data inputs are to ensure the right type of data is collected to inform and improve models. The event provided an introduction to the Ocean Decade endorsed "Challenger 150" and "Deep ocean Observing Strategy" programmes, followed by a presentation by Dr Sheila Heymans on the 'contribution of models to marine ecosystem management under the Ocean Decade' and talks introducing different models. Drs Shannon and Ortega provided an overview on the 'Ecopath with Ecosim' and 'Atlantis' ecosystem models respectively. A take home message was the need to continue these conversations to ensure the development of modelling capacity and tools that are useful for decision-making in offshore and deep-sea areas. It's an important step towards a closer collaboration between ecologists and modellers to ensure the development of models for the deep-sea is fit for purpose. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | UN World Ocean Week 2022 events |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | For third year running, One Ocean Hub has been the 'Proud Friends of United Nations World Oceans Day' and contributed to the worldwide celebrations and discussions on matters concerning the ocean. This year's theme, "Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean" highlighted collective ocean actions from around the world, from conservation, restoration, scientific exploration, community organizing, coalition building, governance approaches and beyond, aimed at revitalizing the ocean. During the World Oceans Week 2022, the Hub hosted the following programme of events on 6th-7th of June. • High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights, Monday 6th June, 13:00-15:00 GMT. • Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management, 7th June 2022, 13:00-14:30 GMT. The Hub's participation in WOW has strengthened Hub's contributions to the FAO's International Year of Artisanal Fisheries 2022, UN Ocean Conference 2022, UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The first event, 'High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights', was co-organised by the Hub with technical support from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that is leading the implementation of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) 2022. The event has also enabled the Hub to consolidate partnerships with organisations who are also official supporters of IYAFA including Danish Institute for Human Rights, WWF, Swedbio, Ms Marina Gomei, World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF), and Blue Ventures. Collaboration in the preparation and organisation of the high-level event on small-scale fisheries for the World Ocean Week has further enhanced coordination between the Hub and these partner organisation in co-organising an array of events at UN Ocean Conference. These include one Hub-led in-person side-event titled 'The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies' on 28th June, 13:00-15:00 Lisbon time at Alfama room, Tivoli Oriente Hotel, Lisbon Portugal and seven other events led by partners. The second event 'Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management' was co-organised with the IOC UNESCO that is leading the implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science and Blue Ventures, one of the official partners of IYAFA 2022. The event linked the Hub research and engagement activities on intersection of art, ocean culture and heritage with one of the goals of Ocean Decade 'An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean in relation to human wellbeing and sustainable development'. The two Hub events have successively brought local perspectives into international conversations. The 'High-level event: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Alliances for the Protection of Small-scale Fishers' Human Rights' and 'Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management' were aimed to do this. These events received very positive comments regarding their ability to bring in local perspectives that is deemed rare at international events. Representatives of small-scale fishers, indigenous peoples and local communities participated directly as panellists in both events. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/advancing-alliances-for-better-protecting-small-scale-fishers-human-rights-a... |
| Description | UN World Oceans Day: Keynote 'Spotlight' talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Prof Elisa Morgera was invited to give keynote speech on UN World Oceans Day Celebratory Event "Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean", under the theme "Spotlight Solutions for the Ocean". Prof Morgera was formally thanked for her participation and contribution in the event by the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel. The One Ocean Hub have been invited to become an official partner in UN World Oceans Day 2021 (for a second year). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.glasscubes.com/share/s/iajucpia2bpi657pmimj9cmvmv |
| Description | UN World Oceans Week 2021: One Ocean Hub Partnership Events |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | For second year running, the One Ocean Hub has been the 'Proud Friends of United Nations (UN) World Oceans Day' and contributed to the worldwide celebrations and discussions on matters concerning the ocean. The 2021 theme, 'The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods', shed light on the wonder of the ocean and how it is our life source, supporting humanity and every other organism on earth. The One Ocean Hub organised and hosted a series of 4 events which took place during the World Ocean Week (7th-10th June 2021). The overall aim of the Hub's presence in WOW was to: 1. Prepare and consolidate the Hub's contribution to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s International Year of Artisanal Fisheries in 2022. 2. Bring in local perspectives, particularly small-scale fishers, into the international conversation on ocean and livelihoods. 3. Connect the UN World Ocean Day theme 'The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods' with themes highlighted in other international processes including the FAO's International Years of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development 2021, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. Outcomes The Hub's participation in WOW has helped to prepare and consolidate Hub's contribution to the FAO's International Year of Artisanal Fisheries 2022. The events organised during the Ocean Week have made strong connections between the themes livelihoods, heritage, and ocean governance. The first event, 'Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being', was also co-organised with the FAO and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) that are leading in the implementation of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) 2022 and the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. Collaboration with the FAO and UNEP at the event has helped to strengthen efforts in planning for both the IYAFA 2022 and other future activities such as a joint side event between the Hub and UNEP at COP26 in Glasgow. Most of the Hub events have successively brought local perspectives into international conversations. 'Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being', 'Intangible Cultural Ocean Heritage and Participatory Research Methods' and 'Ghana Canoe Culture and Heritage were aimed to do this. These events received very positive comments regarding their ability to bring in local perspectives that is deemed rare at international events. Representatives of small-scale fishers participated directly as panellists in 'Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being' and 'Intangible Cultural Ocean Heritage and Participatory Research Methods' events. During 'Canoe Culture and Heritage event' local perspectives were shared through the use of video. All speakers at 'Inclusive Ocean Conservation' highlighted the important of the inclusion of local perspectives in Marine Spatial Planning. All the Hub's events linked livelihoods and themes highlighted by other international processes (e.g. IYAFA, UN Ocean Decade, UN Ecosystem Restoration). 'Small-Scale Fishers and Ocean Well-Being' drew attention to links between livelihood, IYAFA and ecosystem restoration by highlighting the role and needs of small-scale fishers in enforcing rules, protecting, and restoring natural resources. During this event an FAO representative made explicit and direct connection between livelihoods and IYAFA, showing that this event has served its aim. 'Intangible Cultural Ocean Heritage and Participatory Research Methods' and 'Canoe Culture and Heritage' events also speak directly to the theme of livelihoods, creative industry, and Ocean Decade by highlighting the role of varied and relevant stakeholders and different knowledge in ocean governance. The 'Inclusive Ocean Governance' event connected the theme livelihoods and Ocean Decade of Science by explaining why and how appropriate solutions can be implemented to manage multi-use of ocean space and preserve ocean health through trans-disciplinary approach. Attendance figures and subsequent subscriptions to the Hub Newsletter and increase in social media following during and since WOW, indicate that this programme has extended the Hub reach. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/world-oceans-week-webinars-highlighted-the-links-between-livelihoods-heritag... |
| Description | UN-Nippon Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers contributed to the 2021 UN-Nippon Fellows and Alumni Pilot Series on Science for Ocean Sustainability as leading experts and moderator. Dr Kirsty McQuaid, Dr Sian Rees, Professor Rose Boswell, Dr. Nina Rivers, and Professor Jeremy Hills provided their expert views for the sessions "An Introduction to Ocean Science(s)" on 25th March 2021 and "Experiences in strengthening the science-policy interface" on 8th April 2021. On 15th April 2021, Ms Giulia La Bianca was invited to the third session "Challenges in Data Collection, Access and Use" that was chaired by Dr Holly Niner. This pilot series is part of the 2021 UN-Nippon Foundation Virtual Activities: Implementing Practical Solutions in Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/hub-researchers-contributed-to-the-un-nippon-pilot-series-on-science-for-oce... |
| Description | UNDP Archipelagic and Small Islands Forum roundtable |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers Stuart Jeffrey and Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art, UK) attended this roundtable in June 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | UNEP & GNHRE Winter/Sumer School 2022: Critical Human Rights Issues at the Ocean-Climate Nexus |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | For the second year running, the One Ocean Hub shared research findings and methods at the Summer/Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment (20-28 June 2022) co-hosted by The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE). This panel explored the different human rights challenges arising from the interface of climate change and the ocean (the ocean/climate nexus). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAs48HzzQ8w |
| Description | UNEP & GNHRE Winter/Summer School 2022: Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This Hub-led webinar 'Oceans, Art and Environmental Defenders' held on 22nd June 2022 was part of the Winter/Summer School 2022 (https://www.unep.org/events/online-event/2022-summerwinter-school-water-oceans-taps) webinar series organised by the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The event explored the many ways in which art and intangible heritage contribute to both understandings of, and practices for, the environmental defence of the oceans. The panellists offered a space for artists, environmental defenders, researchers, and policy makers to explore the possibilities of the creative arts in their own work towards ensuring the wellbeing of the ocean that sustains us all. Key messages from the webinar: Intangible heritage should be an important part of ocean conservation and management, yet it is not recognised and very seldom taken into account in legal and policy process related to ocean-based economies and governance frameworks. Art-based methodologies, such as Empatheatre, bring together different knowledge systems and knowledge holders into conversation with one other, and with the wider public. Arts-based approaches can shift narratives towards the importance of intangible heritage in ocean-development and governance agendas, and work closely with, and help build, social movements around the oceans and environmental justice. The Coastal Justice Network in South Africa is one such example. Art practice is deeply political and intimately linked with the efforts to care for art, art processes, and communities. It involves an understanding of the past, a vision for the future, and a bridge between the past and the future. Art is a powerful tool for political and legal intervention, social mobilisation and activism. For instance: The Blue Blanket animation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHq7Fpp9tvA&t=28s) has been used as evidence in a court case on seismic survey in South Africa. Poems and school children's paintings have successfully garnered public and media attention on the negative environmental impacts of mega-port development by Adani in Chennai, India on Pulicat lagoon. Tapestries produced through the Keiskama Art Project in South Africa has restored hope and dignity to people with very few resources and provided vital livelihoods. Artworks communicate the role of the ocean as a source of healing, the realities of rural lives affected by poverty and a history of colonialism and apartheid, and intergenerational stories, contributing to the preservation of memory and pride. For more information see: https://oneoceanhub.org/key-messages-from-the-unep-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-from-oceans-to-taps-part-2-children-ocean-defenders-and-plastics/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42I6P1kIDc |
| Description | UNEP'S inaugural winter/summer school on human rights and the environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Hub contributed to the inaugural Summer/Winter School on Human Rights and the Environment organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment on 21 -25 June 2021 under theme "Critical Perspectives in Human Rights and the Environment." Hub research by Dylan McGarry and Taryn Pereira, Rhodes University, South Africa, and Elisa Morgera, Hub Director, contributed to three sessions: environmental human rights defenders at the time of the pandemic, participation as resistance, and human rights in the marine environment. As a follow-up, the Hub will collaborate with the School organizers to consolidate the network between academics and activists arising from the School, as well as to maximize the potential of developing online capacity-building resources building on the School contents. The Hub's contributions to the event are summarised here: https://oneoceanhub.org/integrating-the-ocean-in-uneps-inaugural-winter-summer-school-on-human-rights-and-the-environment/ Recordings of the sessions are available here 1. https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-environmental-defenders-in-times-of-pandemic/ 2. https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-participation-as-resistance/ 3. https://gnhre.org/critical-perspectives-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-the-2021-gnhre-unep-summer-winter-school/2021-summer-winter-school-the-marine-environment-marine-litter-and-human-rights/ UNEP and GNHRE has announced that its Winter/Summer School for human rights and environment in 2022 to focus on the ocean and water cycle. The One Ocean Hub has collaborated with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Network of Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) in developing the call for proposals for panels and lecturers for the 2022 Winter/Summer School on Human Rights and the Environment, which will have as its theme "Water: from oceans to taps" (20-24 June 2022). The call remains open until 28 February 2022, with proposals being sent to gnhre.unep.summerwinterschool@gmail.com. The Hub warmly welcomes this result of the great interest elicited during last year's sessions on the ocean and human rights, including on ocean defenders, in the inaugural edition of the School. The GHNRE website explicitly noted that "The insights arising from ongoing research, as well as from Global South-North and rightholders-researchers collaborations, under the One Ocean Hub have contributed to identify themes and approaches for the call for panels, in order to help address disconnects between areas of expertise and practice on human rights and the environment. With special thanks to Prof Elisa Morgera, Advisor to the School for Human Rights and Environment" (see here: https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://gnhre.org/community/gnhre-org-schoolofhumanrightsandenvironment/ |
| Description | UNFCCC Africa Climate Week Session 6: Harnessing nature for transformative adaptation in Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hub Deputy Director, Dr Bernadette Snow, was invited by Mr James Grabert, Director of the Mitigation Division of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Lead of the Regional Climate Weeks organised by the UNFCCC to participate as a speaker in session 6 titled: Harnessing nature for transformative adaptation in Africa. Human-induced climate change is increasingly driving fundamental alterations in human livelihoods, ecosystems, and land use. Most strategies have focused on helping people to cope or incrementally adapt to climate change. However, there is an opportunity as well for shifting systems away from unsustainable or undesirable trajectories, including wider socioeconomic impacts. Such an approach, which promotes visions for transformation through adaptation, drives long-term benefits for reducing poverty and inequality more effectively, thereby moving away from old paradigms to make way for a robust resilient future. Session 6 was aimed to provide an opportunity for stakeholders in Africa to engage in forward-looking conversations and be inspired to act towards transformative and long-term resilience at regional, national, and local levels. The session discussed the potential for Nature-Based Solutions and their enabling environment in Africa in light of its anticipated benefits for transformative adaptation and long-term resilience in Africa. It took place during the "Africa Climate Week" (ACW 2022), which was held between 29 August and 1 September 2022 in Libreville, Gabon. The ACW 2022 was part of the Regional Climate Weeks organized in coordination with UNFCCC's global and regional partners. UNFCCC is co-hosting the event along with the Gabonese Republic. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHiy_8pQ_Qo&list=PLBcZ22cUY9RKNjNVYqGC41YxDIk3d1Rnk&index=12 |
| Description | Undercurrents - New exhibition at Glasgow School of Art |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Coverage of the exhibition in The Scotsman |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8k3ea2?fbclid=IwAR0j-F4N5vD8TNftnyd8U5KFJR3TtArwdTWSITgn1g4WL5tIl... |
| Description | Undercurrents exhibition: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific, Glasgow |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | From the Pacific Islands to the shores of South Africa, eight community-led art projects were developed with support from the Hub's Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund. The art projects were exhibited at the Reid Gallery in Glasgow from 15-29 April 2023. The exhibition brought together new arts-based research - led by practitioners and grassroot organisations - that reveal human relationships and emotional connections with the ocean in Ghana, South Africa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The exhibition was curated by Dr Lisa McDonald from the Hub's research partner Glasgow School of Art, UK. This exhibition, and wider One Ocean Hub research connected to it, have unveiled fundamental insights into the transformative role of arts and cultural heritage, that reinforce the key recommendations made by the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights in their 2022 report on sustainable development. This exhibition served as a reminder that art can powerfully support the recognition of different forms of knowledge about the ocean, contributing to protecting cultural human rights and valuing distinctive ocean-based livelihoods and voices that are essential for more integrated and fairer decisions about the ocean. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/undercurrents-art-and-ocean-in-africa-and-the-pacific-exhibition-on-show-in-... |
| Description | Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in the Pacific (London) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The exhibition was curated by Dr Lisa McDonald (Glasgow School of Art). More than 6000 visitors saw Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia, which was on display at the London Design Biennale, Sommerset House, United Kingdom, from June 1 to June 25, 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Understanding customary law and rights workshop in Kosi Bay with Legal Resources Centre, 16 June 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On June 16 2023, hub researchers Dr Philile Mbatha (University of Cape Town, South Africa) and Jerry Mngomezulu (Kosi Bay Affected Communities) in partnership with Legal Resources Centre hosted a workshop in Kosi Bay on Understanding customary law and rights. This workshop was held in the community hall in Kosi Bay with attendees including small-scale fishers, land claimants and other community members. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | United Nations General Assembly's Science Summit: virtual event on biodiversity and ecosystems (23 September 2022) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | This event was convened by Hub researcher Claire Lajaunie on 23rd September 2022 as part of the Science Summit that aimed to examine what enabling policy, regulatory and financial environments are needed to implement and sustain the science mechanisms required to support genuinely global scientific collaborations across continents, nations and themes. The Summit brought together thought leaders, scientists, technologists, innovators, policymakers, decision-makers, regulators, financiers, philanthropists, journalists and editors, and community leaders to increase health science and citizen collaborations across a broad spectrum of themes information and communications technology, nutrition, agriculture and the environment. Hub Director Elisa Morgera was invited to provide perspectives on the negotiation of an international treaty on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, coastal community livelihoods and marine protected areas. The event served to provide inputs for the United Nations Summit of the Future, which will take place on 12 September 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/linking-a-healthy-ocean-with-human-health/ |
| Description | Unveiling hidden contributors: women within small-scale fisheries and greater equity in ocean governance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This blog post sheds light on the often overlooked and undervalued contributions of women in fisheries and ocean governance. By exploring the research conducted by One Ocean Hub in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa, the objective is to raise awareness about gender disparities, advocate for gender equality, and emphasise the need for inclusive and equitable practices in ocean governance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/unveiling-the-hidden-contributors-towards-researching-on-women-within-small-... |
| Description | Urban Movement Innovation Fund Storytelling Gathering - Storytelling Workshops for Environmental Justice campaigners globally |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 21 September 2021 Dr Kira Erwin and Dr Dylan mcGarry participated in the workshop targeting global environmental campaigners organised by the Urban Movement Innovation (UMI) Fund. The event was a closed gathering of UMI partners and organisations who receive funding from them. Dr Kira Erwin and Dr Dylan McGarry delivered a presentation to showcase their respective work and how they are using storytelling at a movement, community, and partnership building tool. They showcase their work with Empatheatre, in particular how you are using storytelling as a tool to empower people and communities and ultimately build movements. Dr Kira Erwin and Dr Dylan McGarry also presented on processes and tools that they have used in their research such as call and response/mirroring/reflection. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | http://www.umifund.org/ |
| Description | Virtual Early Career Ocean Professional (VECOP) Day for the UN Decade of Ocean Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Hub early career researchers Kelsey Archer Barnhill and Payal Nandini Maharaj were selected to moderate the Virtual Early Career Ocean Professional (V.ECOP) Day which took place on June 1st, 2021, as a 24-hour livestream event. The V.ECOP Day directly linked to the kick-off conference of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development that was also held on June 1st, 2021 and led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. The event aimed to promote a sustainable ocean and initiate an exchange of views and ideas with people around the world. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://vecop.vfairs.com/ |
| Description | WIOMSA: An estimate of the economic value of the marine and coastal ecosystem services of Algoa Bay, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Poster developed by Hub Deputy Director Dr Bernadette Snow titled 'An estimate of the economic value of the marine and coastal ecosystem services of Algoa Bay, South Africa' was presented at the 12th Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) Scientific Conference (10-12 October 2022, South Africa) by By Rozanne Peacock Obo. This poster has now developed into a paper. 12th WIOMSA Conference was endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://symposium.wiomsa.org/ |
| Description | WKHDR Workshop at ICES |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub co-investigator, Kieran Hyder (CEFAS) co-developed and co-chaired a International Council for Exploration of the Seas Workshop on Integrating angler heterogeneity into the management of marine recreational fisheries (WKHDR). Thie research presented is important to ICES in its role of providing advice on fish stocks generally and more specifically in delivery of quality evidence on the impacts of recreational fisheries. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.ices.dk/news-and-events/asc/asc2019/Pages/Theme-session-Q.aspx |
| Description | WWF Science for Nature Seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Prof Elisa Morgera (University of Strathclyde, UK), was invited by Nathan Bennet, WWF Global Oceans Lead Scientist to speak at the WWF-US 2024 "Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Seminar Series: Beyond Inclusive Conservation." The Series sought to forward the discussion of cutting-edge research relating to international conservation, by inviting distinguished scientists from across the globe to share their ideas as part of a regular forum for the conservation community to learn, discuss, network, and inspire. Prof Morgera presented on the human right to a healthy environment, and the role of environmental and ocean defenders, on 18 January 2024, and over 270 participants were in attendance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Website Fishers' Tales |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Fishers' Tales is an arts-based storytelling project that collects the wondrous tales that fishers enjoy telling about their ocean adventures. Each story is accompanied by a unique artwork. The stories and accompanying artwork seek to highlight the similarities and differences in fishers' engagements with the ocean from subsistence to recreational; provoking reflection, empathy and dialogue. In this sense, the project hopes to build both awareness and solidarity with subsistence and small-scale fishers, who have enormous knowledge and care for the ocean that sustains them. Fishers story, their observations and the meaning that the ocean holds for them has a lot to offer ocean governance in South Africa and should be an important part of decision-making processes. The project contributes towards a bigger One Ocean Hub project for inclusive and transformative approaches to ocean governance. The project is managed by the Urban Futures Centre in partnership with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), and it is funded through the Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund (administered by the One Ocean Hub programme). Website of Fishers' Tales include stories and artworks accompanying each story. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://fisherstales.org/ |
| Description | West Coast mining fieldtrips to engage with locals |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In March 2022 Hub researcher, Prof Merle Sowman and her research team (University of Cape Town, South Africa) visited the MSR/Tormin mining site on the West Coast of South Africa to gather data on mining activities and whether the requirements of the EMPr were being adhered to. In August the team conducted field research in the Doringbaai Moonstone mining area- met NGOs, community members to discuss concerns and begin to strategize around legal action. Visited the Moonstone site mining and northern concessions areas again in November to gather evidence for the legal case, since mining commenced without environmental authorization. Met local farmers and community members to finalise affidavits for the legal case. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | West Coast mining fieldtrips to engage with locals |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In March 2022 hub researcher Merle Sowman and team visited the MSR/Tormin mining site on the West Coast of South Africa to gather data on mining activities and whether the requirements of the EMPr were being adhered to. In August the team conducted field research in the Doringbaai Moonstone mining area- met NGOs, community members to discuss concerns and begin to strategize around legal action. Visited the Moonstone site mining and northern concessions areas again in November to gather evidence for the legal case, since mining commenced without environmental authorization. Met local farmers and community members to finalise affidavits for the legal case. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Western Indian Ocean Governance & Exchange Network (WIOGEN) Ocean Governance Virtual Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The One Ocean Hub early career researchers Dr Nina Rivers and Mia Strand delivered a presentation on Stakeholder engagement in MSP processes: the Who, When and How. African perspectives from Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Benin and Ghana at Western Indian Ocean Governance & Exchange Network (WIOGEN) Ocean Governance Virtual Conference. October 2021, online. The WIOGEN is a trans-disciplinary coalition of researchers and policy makers working in academia, civil society and government in the region. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://wiogen.org/about-wiogen/ |
| Description | What do arts-based research approaches offer for the protection of the human rights for small-scale fishers? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Kira Erwin (South Africa) wrote a blog post to reflect on small-scale fishers (SSF), in many countries, who have struggled to have their human rights meaningfully recognised and effectively protected in environmental and natural resource governance. Notably these struggles are compounded for Indigenous peoples who have a long history of fishing for subsistence and cultural heritage. Even within countries that have policies aimed at protecting small-scale fishers' rights, fishing communities too frequently these find themselves excluded and marginalised in decision-making process about the ocean, from which they derive their sense of identity and their livelihoods. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-arts-based-research-approaches-offer-for-the-protection-of-the-human... |
| Description | What do the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference outcomes mean for the ocean and ocean research? A focus on marine biodiversity and human health (Part 3) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Following a previous blog post on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at the UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP 15, held on 7-19 December 2022 - Montreal, Canada) and a Lancet Comment on COP15, this blog post reflects on the implications of the COP15 discussions and decisions on human health and biodiversity for the ocean, ocean-dependent human rights and ocean research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/what-do-the-2022-un-biodiversity-conference-outcomes-mean-for-the-ocean-and-... |
| Description | What does the 2022 UN Biodiversity Summit Outcome on Digital Sequence Information Mean for the Ocean and Ocean Research (Part 2) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Following on from a previous blog post on the UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP15, held on 7-19 December 2022 - Montreal, Canada), this post reflects on the decision to establish a multilateral mechanism for benefit-sharing from digital sequence information (DSI), including a global fund, and its implications of for the ocean, ocean-dependent human rights and ocean research. In doing so, this post draws on the contributions from One Ocean Hub research to this process, as well as the work that remains outstanding, under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the World Health Organisation and the newly concluded international Agreement on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/what-does-the-2022-un-biodiversity-summit-outcome-on-digital-sequence-inform... |
| Description | What is an Environmental Impact Assessment (South Africa) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In collaboration with Green Connections, a community-based organisation concerned with upholding constitutional rights and raising awareness about these rights among coastal communities especially in relation to blue economy project in South Africa, Hub researcher Professor Merle Sowman (University of Cape Town) has developed two videos that raise awareness about Environmental Impact Assessment and when and how communities need to be consulted and involved. The video titled 'Environmental Impact Assessment within the Oil and Gas Industry' was one of the outputs Professor Merle Sowman co-produced with Green Connections on this topic. This video have been used as part of the Green Connections's 'Who Stole Our Oceans' campaign since December 2020. The 'Who Stole Our Oceans' campaign is an environmental and social justice campaign launched by The Green Connection in 2020, in a bid to protect our oceans for future generations with a particular emphasis on opposing offshore oil and gas exploration. The video had been translated into two coastal languages (Xhosa and Afrikaans). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/eTU66B_KAXI |
| Description | What we Learnt at the Closing of the International Year of Artisinal Fisheries and Aquaculture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (IYAFA) was officially brought to a close at the end of March 2023, where various partners gathered at the headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to reflect on progress made and follow-up action to keep the momentum built in 2022. This blog post reflects on the contributions made by the One Ocean Hub in and around the IYAFA closing events, the insights that arose from our interactions with various IYAFA partners, and ideas for follow-up action. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/what-we-learnt-at-the-closing-of-the-international-year-of-artisanal-fisheri... |
| Description | Where are we supposed to fish? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub early career researcher Taryn Pereira's (Rhodes University) blogpost titled 'Where are We supposed to Fish ?' has been published in Oceans Not Oil website on 19 November 2021. Oceans Not Oil sprang from a coalition of individuals and organisations coming together to stand against South Africa's continued fossil fuel dependence and call for a moratorium on all offshore oil and gas development. As such, it is a network that facilitates and supports any public voice raised against the impacts of escalating reconnaissance/ prospecting activities in the form of seismic surveys and exploration wells on the coast of South Africa and their consequence to marine life and climate change. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://oceansnotoil.org/2021/11/19/where-are-we-supposed-to-fish/ |
| Description | Women's Rights & Artisanal Fisheries Governance in Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher Sulley Ibrahim (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) presented at the Gender and Ocean workshop at the University of Strathclyde in July 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Working Group: South Africa Pelagic Fishing Industry Association |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | In April 2021, One Ocean Hub researcher Dr Kelly Ortega commenced engagement with SAPFIA (South Africa Pelagic Fishing Industry Association) to undertake a series of interviews with industry representatives to inform research on the impacts of climate change on the sector from a whole supply chain perspective (from catch to transport to processing). This engagement is ongoing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://sapfia.org.za/ |
| Description | Working in a Transdisciplinary Team to Understand Climate Vulnerability on Recreational Fishing in Namibia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Namibian coast is renowned for its excellent angling opportunities, particularly in the central and northern coastal regions. Living in Henties Bay for the past two years, one can always tell when it's holiday time as the town buzzes with activity from hundreds of local and foreign anglers filling up their cars, mounted with fishing rods and buying food and bait. This little town, approximately 70km from Swakopmund, is home to Namibia's vibrant shore angling sector which is the bread and butter of the majority of the town's inhabitants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/working-in-a-transdisciplinary-team-to-understand-climate-vulnerability-on-r... |
| Description | Working with Marginalised Communities for more Equitable Ocean Decision-Making and Other News from Namibia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This blog post highlights key research activities and developments that have taken place in Namibia in the past few months. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/spotlighting-marginalised-communities-for-more-equitable-ocean-decision-maki... |
| Description | Working with the Topnaar to Protect Human Rights and Revive Ocean Culture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | THE KHOE-SPEAKING TOPNAAR PEOPLE (?Aonin) were the first inhabitants documented as settling in Walvis Bay along the central Namib coast. For several centuries, their cultural livelihoods depended heavily on ocean resources. During colonial rule they were forcibly displaced from their coastal dwelling places, with their access to coastal marine resources and fishing grounds restricted. In contemporary Namibia, the Topnaar continue to be excluded from decision-making on the ocean. Hub researchers in Namibia are working to shape policy and law that will acknowledge the cultural and human rights of the Topnaar people. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-story_9_Topnaar_07.11.23.pdf |
| Description | Workshop session and discussion on the karpower ships with fishers in Langebaan, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researchers in South Africa are working to bring communities together with government and civil society to engage in meaningful and respectful dialgoue on just public participation processes in coastal and ocean development and climate change mitigation. One of the the issues that has raised concerns among fishers is the operation of karpowership, part of Turkey's Karadeniz Energy Group, is an electricity exporter that runs a floating power plant fleet. On 6th May 2021 Hub researchers, Anna James and Dr Jackie Sunde, led a workshop session and discussion on the karpower ships and fishers response to that in Langebaan. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Workshop for Developing and Middle Income Countries On Intellectual Property and Benefit Sharing in the BBNJ agreement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 10th July 2020 Prof Elisa Morgera contributed to an online discussion on intellectual property and fair and equitable benefit-sharing in a new legally binding instrument on biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions (BBNJ), which is currently being negotiated at the UN in New York. The aim of the seminar was to bring together diverse regional groups of negotiators (notably DAC-country delegates) to develop textual proposals and identify potential alignments on text and substance from a developing/middle-income country perspective. The seminar was organized by Siva Thambisetty, Associate Professor of Intellectual Property Law, London School of Economics. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/intellectual-property-and-benefit-sharing-in-the-bbnj-instrument-registration-111331421278. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/intellectual-property-and-benefit-sharing-in-the-bbnj-instrument-regi... |
| Description | Workshop on Ocean and Gender |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This workshop was organised by the hub on 26 September 2023 and focused on research about gender and oceans within the context of climate change that took place in Namibia. As an output of the workshop academics and professional staff from the University of Namibia contributed to the papers on "The Potential of Social Capital as a Strategy in Adaptation to Climate Change." This workshop involved Hub researchers Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia), Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) and Dr Philile Mbatha (University of Strathclyde, UK and University of Cape Town, South Africa) had been invited by Martha Jonas (University of Namibia, Namibia). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/part-1-one-ocean-hub-participates-in-five-panels-for-the-2023-summer-winter-... |
| Description | Workshop series of the African Network of Deep-water Researchers to identify practical actions to develop capacity and advance deep-water research in Africa. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Two online workshop series and one in-person meeting were held in Cape Town from 18-20 July, where Hub researcher Kirsty Mcquaid (South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa) attended and delivered a presentation. The workshop series was about the African Network of Deep-water Researchers to identify practical actions to develop capacity and advance deep-water research in Africa. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Workshop with Aukatowa Port Nolloth small-scale fisheries cooperative, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub researcher, Dr Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town), organised the workshop with Aukatowa Port Nolloth small-scale fisheries cooperative in September 2021. The event aimed to raise awareness of the impacts of the Blue Economy on the fishers and to support the fishers in developing an advocacy plan to respond to these impacts. Primary audience engaged with included 15 small-scale fishers - 4 women and 11 men. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Workshop with Langebaan Traditional Net Fishing Community, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub researcher, Dr Jackie Sunde (University of Cape Town), organised a workshop with Langebaan Traditional Net Fishing Community was organised on 6 May 2021. It was attended by 10 fishers. The event was aimed to introduce One Ocean Hub and provide information on the Blue Economy project, Karpowerships and support the fishers in developing an action plan. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Workshop: Fisheries, climate change and Marine Spatial planning - Windhoek |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In December 2023, a workshop on Fisheries, climate change and Marine Spatial planning was organised by the Namibian Hub and was conducted in Windhoek. Hub researchers Tapiwa Warikandwa (University of Namibia, Namibia), Kieran Hyder and Georg Engelhard (Cefas, UK) delivered presentations during the workshop. These workshops were attended by small-scale, large-scale, and recreational fishers and organisations, alongside representatives from government and NGOs. These workshops were the last in the series of workshops focusing on sharing outcomes with policymakers, conservation organisations, and NGOs, and identifying potential existing policy levers and new legislation required to ensure the resilience of the fisheries sector in future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Workshop: Large-scale fisheries and climate change - Luderitz |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In November 2023, a workshop on Large-scale fisheries and Climate Change was organised by the Namibian Hub and was conducted in Lüderitz. Hub researchers Kieran Hyter (Cefas, UK) and Georg Engelhard (Cefas, UK) delivered presentations during the workshop. The workshops were organised for key stakeholders in September 2023 and they took place in five locations across Namibia. Firstly, the outcomes from the climate risk analysis of Namibian fisheries were presented. This was followed by a discussion to obtain feedback on key risks and importantly, on what could potentially be successful, realistic, and effective adaptation options to increase resilience in Namibia's fisheries. The workshop also discussed potential barriers to adaptation, and how these barriers could be overcome. The workshops also sought input from stakeholders regarding any other thematic important issues that they wanted to discuss. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Workshop: Large-scale fisheries and climate change - Walvis Bay |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In October 2023, a workshop on Large-scale fisheries and climate change was organised by the Namibian Hub and was conducted in Walvis Bay. Hub researchers Kieran Hyder (Cefas, UK) and Georg Engelhard (Cefas, UK) delivered presentations during the workshop. The workshops were organised for key stakeholders and they took place in five locations across Namibia. Firstly, the outcomes from the climate risk analysis of Namibian fisheries were presented. This was followed by a discussion to obtain feedback on key risks and importantly, on what could potentially be successful, realistic, and effective adaptation options to increase resilience in Namibia's fisheries. The workshop also discussed potential barriers to adaptation, and how these barriers could be overcome. The workshops also sought input from stakeholders regarding any other thematic important issues that they wanted to discuss. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Workshop: Marine Spatial planning and different fisheries sector |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In September 2023, Hub researchers in Namibia, including Dr Tapiwa Warikanda (University of Namibia, Namibia) held a series of workshops in partnership with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK) under the theme "fair and inclusive decision-making for a healthy ocean whereby people and planet flourish". In the workshops, the researchers engaged with fishers, managers, scientists, policymakers and anyone else whose life is intertwined with the ocean in Namibia. The workshops were organised in Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, and Windhoek. The workshop in Windhoek was attended by policymakers and other key stakeholders, including representatives from The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Ombudsman, German Cooperation (GIZ) Namibia, the Namibia Tourism Board, Chairperson of Namibia's Marine Spatial Planning Committee as well as recreational, small-scale/artisanal, and commercial fishers. The key issues discussed were: Key risks from climate change to Namibia's different fisheries sectors; The appropriate adaptation actions that are needed to reduce these risks, and so increase climate resilience in Namibian fisheries; The need to manage the intensifying competition for space and resources which is turning the coast in Namibia into an area of social and political conflict, including contestation about knowledge; Practices of interactive governance and co-management of coastal resources that can be refined and/or adopted to advance the effectiveness of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in Namibia; The opportunities and risks for MSP in Namibia to help empower or further marginalise small-scale fishers (SSFs) and fisheries communities; and Measures to be adopted beyond the 2022 National Plan of Action for SSFs in Namibia What measures should be taken to ensure that the socio-economic rights and interests of this marginalised group are recognised and/or protected. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/ |
| Description | Workshops on climate change and marine spatial planning held in Namibia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In September 2023, Hub researchers in Namibia held a series of workshops in partnership with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, UK) under the theme "fair and inclusive decision-making for a healthy ocean whereby people and planet flourish". In the workshops, the researchers engaged with fishers, managers, scientists, policy makers and anyone else whose life is intertwined with the ocean in Namibia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/workshops-on-climate-change-and-marine-spatial-planning-held-in-namibia/ |
| Description | World Antimicrobial Awareness Week |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hub early career researcher, Jazmin Conway (University of Plymouth, UK) co-organised a week of events to highlight the threat of antimicrobial resistance and safe stewardship of antibiotics as part of the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. The events were held between the 18-24 November 2022 at the University of Plymouth and involved quiz the experts, panel talk, pub quiz, dodgeball, and pop up stall. Celebrated annually from 18-24 November, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. This makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. Measures to prevent infection include getting vaccinated, practising safer sex, good hand hygiene, food safety practices, and increasing availability of water and sanitation facilities. AMR is a complex problem affecting human, animal, plant and environmental health. Therefore, addressing AMR requires a holistic and multisectoral approach - referred to as a One Health approach. By designing and implementing multi-sectoral programmes, policies, legislation and research across human, terrestrial and aquatic animal and plant health, food and feed production and the environment, AMR can be effectively addressed to achieve better One Health outcomes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/university-hosts-activities-for-world-antimicrobial-awareness-week |
| Description | World Fisheries Congress 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | One Ocean Hub researcher from Rhodes University including Professor Warren Potts and Alexander Winkler participated at the World Fisheries Congress 2021. Professor Potts was an invited member of the discussion panel for recreational fisheries during the Congress. Hub early career researcher, Alexander Winkler, presented a paper on drone fishing and working with recreational anglers in South Africa at the Congress. The World Fisheries Congress brought together government organisations, industries, and academics. The 2021 Congress was hosted by the Royal Dutch Angling Association, 'Sportvisserij Nederland' in cooperation with the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Radboud University Nijmegen, and Wageningen University and Research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://aomevents.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/world-fisheries-congress-2020/progam/Agenda |
| Description | World Ocean Week 2020: One Ocean Hub Event Series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In April 2020 the One Ocean Hub was invited to be a partner to the UN World Oceans Day 2020 on the 8th June 2020, which, due to Covid-19, had been converted into an online event and expanded to 'World Oceans Week' (WOW) (running from 9-12 June 2020). In response to this invitation, the One Ocean Hub organised and hosted a series of 12 events which would take place throughout World Oceans Week (WOW) 2020 (9th-12th June 2020), attracting over 900 participants globally. This programme of events brought to the international audience early findings from the Hub research, and provided a forum for discussion, and connecting ocean governance issues experienced at a local level, to the international domain. The events included personal experiences and lessons learnt at the ocean science-policy interface, the role of the arts in making ocean research and governance more inclusive, and the legacy of colonization on the law of the sea. Several events are organized by the early-career researchers involved in the Hub The overall aim of the Hub's presence in WOW was to: 1. Further establish an authoritative and engaging voice for the Hub internationally 2. Share Hub research findings and researcher experiences across a range of topics, and further advance our research and research planning in conversation with government, UN and non-governmental partners across the world. 3. Bring local perspectives into the international conversation on oceans governance 4. Increase the reach of the Hub and Hub Network The main outcome of the events was a substantial increase in the reach of the Hub and Hub network. The events attracted more than 900 participants, and led to an increase in subscriptions to the Hub newsletter of over 600, as well as 20% increase in our social media following. In addition, through individual event feedback surveys, several requests for additional information were received as well as follow up activity. For example, following on from the event 'Lalela uLwandle' in which South African researchers presented the empatheatre methodology, the researchers were invited to present at the UK Marine Social Science Association. The One Ocean Hub have been invited to become an official partner in UN World Oceans Day 2021 (for a second year). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://oneoceanhub.org/un-world-oceans-day/ |
| Description | eMacambini exhibition and workshop: Doing marine protected areas differently? Co-identified ideas for more inclusive ocean and coastal management |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub ECR researchers Ms Mia Strand and Dr Nina Rivers (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) facilitated a workshop together with Mr Fanelesibonge Magwaza at the eMacambini Traditional Council Tribal Court on 23 March 2023. This specific exhibition and multi-stakeholder workshop formed part of a PhD project by Ms Mia Strand, which explores the usefulness of arts-based participatory research methods to co-create knowledge with local coastal communities to inform more inclusive ocean governance. This research and workshop formed part of the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) Smart Zone Marine Protected Area (MPA) Project, which seeks to ensure that MPA management adequately recognises and understands the socio-economic priorities and contexts of local coastal communities adjacent to established MPAs in KwaZulu-Natal. The workshop specifically focused on uThukela MPA which stretches between Port Dunford (north of uMlalazi river mouth) in the north and Tinley Manor (south of uSetheni river mouth) in the south, (Workshop report pdf available for internal use.) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKcg2lOe_2k&t=4s |
| Description | iAtlantic Stakeholder Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In August 2023 Hub researchers Dr Kerry Sink (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), post doc Kirsty McQuaid (University of Plymouth, UK) and Loyiso Dunga as well as SANBI research assistant Sinothando organised this workshop together with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. Loyiso and Sinothando supported translation and facilitation at the iAtlantic workshop drawing from lessons derived from our OOH and ACEP Deep Connections work on improving participation in Marine protected area design and Kirsty participated to share deepsea experience. Hub researcher Jackie Sunde was also in attendance |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |